Which measure of excellence in technical communication refers to making a document just long enough to be clear?

Conciseness is a fundamental principle in technical communication that emphasizes the importance of brevity without sacrificing clarity. A document that is concise conveys information effectively and efficiently by eliminating unnecessary words, phrases, and details that might obscure the main message. This measure ensures that readers can quickly grasp the essential content without being distracted by superfluous information.

In technical writing, making a document just long enough to be clear means that all critical points are covered, but extraneous information is omitted. This approach respects the reader's time and cognitive load by providing them with a streamlined and focused narrative or instruction. Therefore, achieving conciseness directly contributes to the overall effectiveness of the communication, making it not only easier to read but also more impactful.

In contrast, clarity focuses primarily on the transparency and understandability of the message, comprehensiveness involves the extent to which a document covers its subject matter, and correctness pertains to the accuracy and appropriateness of the information presented. While all these elements are important in technical writing, conciseness specifically targets the length of the document in relation to clarity, which aligns perfectly with the question posed.