How to Write English Prose | Hacker News

Hacker News users debated whether English prose should stay plain and concise or become more ornate and elaborate.

The discussion weighed Strunk and White, The Elements of Style, and the tradeoff between readability and distinctive voice.

Commenters noted that audience size matters: simple writing reaches more readers, while richer style can signal personality and craft.

The rise of AI-generated text added urgency to the debate, making style and originality more important ways to stand out.