Wikipedia:Principle of Some Astonishment

This is a humorous essay on concise, uncluttered writing. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors and is made to be humorous. This page is not one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. This essay isn't meant to be taken seriously.

Shortcuts WP:POSA WP:ASTONISHME WP:DUH WP:PLEONASM WP:SURPRISEME

This page in a nutshell: The Principle of least astonishment notwithstanding, strive to omit obvious details.

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Sometimes editors clutter their prose with pedestrian details that the reader likely already knows or would naturally assume. Rather than informing readers, this wastes their time and dulls their attention.