"What are you trying to say here?

Dwarkesh Patel nailed it with this simple writing hack: when someone’s stuck writing, just ask, “What are you trying to say here?” Whatever they say next—write that down.

Why It Works

• Forces clarity. You skip the fluff and get straight to the core idea.
• Turns thoughts into plain speech—the best copy always sounds like a real convo.
• Keeps writers honest. If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it yet.
• Works for editing too. One quick question cleans up messy drafts fast.

Real-World Uses

• Apple ads: “Think Different.” Clear, conversational, punchy.
• Dollar Shave Club’s launch: “Our blades are f***ing great.” Straight talk sells.
• Basecamp’s site copy: “Stop managing projects. Start finishing them.” Simple wins.