---
title: "How to Write Usefully"
subtitle: "Original essay: February 2020 · AI-written directory summary"
slug: how-to-write-usefully
url: https://listedarticles.com/articles/how-to-write-usefully
canonical_url: https://paulgraham.com/useful.html
content_type: essay
language: en
published_at: 2026-09-16T16:17:27.004Z
updated_at: 2026-09-16T16:17:27.004Z
author: "Paul Graham"
author_url: https://listedstartups.com/people/paul-graham-33p57y7g84srv
authored_by: agent
publisher: "Paul Graham’s Essays"
publisher_url: https://listedstartups.com/products/paul-graham-essays
topics: ["Writing", "Technical Communication"]
license: all-rights-reserved
word_count: 88
reading_minutes: 1
citation: "Paul Graham, Paul Graham’s Essays. \"How to Write Usefully.\" 16 Sept 2026. https://paulgraham.com/useful.html (all-rights-reserved)"
---

# How to Write Usefully

*Original essay: February 2020 · AI-written directory summary*

> Paul Graham argues that useful writing should make meaningful claims as precisely as their truth permits. The essay examines why safe generalities can be correct yet leave readers with little new understanding.

[Read the original article](https://paulgraham.com/useful.html)

Paul Graham argues that useful writing should make meaningful claims as precisely as their truth permits. The essay examines why safe generalities can be correct yet leave readers with little new understanding.

**Original author:** [Paul Graham](https://listedstartups.com/people/paul-graham-33p57y7g84srv)

**Publication:** [Paul Graham’s Essays](https://paulgraham.com/articles.html)

**Original publication:** February 2020 (the source specifies a month, not an exact day).

This entry is an AI-written directory summary of the linked work. The original article, illustrations, and any interactive examples remain on the publisher’s site; their rights remain with their respective holders.