Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Rudolf Flesch

Quote by Rudolf Flesch

“If you go through any newspaper or magazine and look for active, kicking verbs in the sentences, you will realize that this lack of well used verbs is the main trouble with modern English writing. Almost all nonfiction nowadays is written in a sort of pale, colorless sauce of passives and infinitives, motionless and flat as paper.”

Quote by Rudolf Flesch

Work

The Art of Plain Talk

This influential work presents principles and techniques for writing in a clear, direct manner that readers can easily understand. The book argues against unnecessarily complex language, excessive jargon, and convoluted sentence structures that obscure meaning. Through practical examples and guidance, it demonstrates how writers can communicate ideas more effectively by choosing simple words, shortening sentences, and organizing thoughts logically. The work has been recognized for its impact on improving writing clarity and has influenced generations of writers, educators, and communicators seeking to make their message accessible to a broad audience. more

Author

Rudolf Flesch
Rudolf Flesch

Rudolf Flesch, born on May 8, 1911, was an influential American linguist and educator. His research focused on reading instruction and language acquisition, and he proposed many significant theories and methods. Flesch is best known for his work with students who struggle with reading, and his book 'Why Johnny Can't Read' had a profound impact on reading instruction. more

You May Also Like

“History has a way of coming back to you. In the case of Janis Joplin appearing at the festival in 1968, her performance affected the life of a Bostonian who is now a member of the Newport Festivals Foundation Board of Directors. Ward Mooney was so affected and emotionally involved in Janis’ performance at Newport, that when he heard the festival was going nonprofit, he knew wanted to become a part. Janis was beautiful, gracious and respectful, and the power of her Newport performance continues to live on.”

“We place the highest value on actual implementation and taking action. There are many things one doesn’t understand and therefore, we ask them why don’t you just go ahead and take action, try to do something? You realize how little you know and you face your own failures and you simply can correct those failures and redo it again and at the second trial you realize another mistake or another thing you didn’t like so you can redo it once again. So by constant improvement, or, should I say, the improvement based upon action, one can rise to the higher level of practice and knowledge.”

“In most societies birth has been an experience in whichwomen draw together to help each other and reinforce bonds in the community. Now that eradication of pain with effective anesthesia is often the only issue in any discussion of birththe sacramental and social elements which used to be central to women's experience of birthseem, for an increasing proportion of women, to be completely irrelevant.”