Rate of revelation

Here’s a trick to improve your writing: focus on your rate of revelation.

The rate of revelation describes how quickly you introduce new information to the reader. A high rate of revelation thrills the reader because each sentence is vital and drives along the narrative.

A low rate of revelation reads like a school essay, where an idea is stretched over multiple pages to hit a word count.

Next time you read something drab, assess the rate of revelation. Did each sentence contribute something new, or were you bored because successive paragraphs drove home the same point?

Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, I hope you’ll aim for a higher rate of revelation next time you write. It can improve everything from business emails to grant proposals.

However, be warned: if you want each sentence to pack a punch, you’ll need to bring a lot of ideas. Good writing demands deep thinking.