tellbare

Tellbare is a term used to describe a communication approach that emphasizes direct, unadorned delivery of information. The word blends tell and bare to signal content that conveys essential facts with minimal rhetorical embellishment, leaving interpretation largely to the reader.

The term emerged in online discussions among journalists, educators, and digital communicators in the late 2010s as a way to categorize a style that prioritizes clarity over flourish. It is not a universally formalized theory, but it is applied to describe writing and reporting that aims for transparency, verifiability, and concision. Tellbare is often contrasted with more interpretive or heavily opinionated prose.

Core characteristics of tellbare writing include concise sentences, use of plain language, and a neutral or restrained tone. It emphasizes explicit sourcing and evidence, minimizes evaluative adjectives, and structures information to facilitate quick understanding. When data or contextual notes are necessary, they are presented clearly and accessibly, sometimes accompanied by direct references or data points.

Applications of tellbare styles appear in newsroom briefs, policy summaries, corporate communications, and certain strands of data journalism. Practitioners may publish tellbare briefs as standalone notes or integrate them into broader reports to ensure readers receive the essential facts with minimal distortion or delay.

Critics note that an overly austere tellbare approach can risk oversimplification or insufficient nuance when complex issues are involved. Proponents respond that, when well sourced, tellbare writing enhances accessibility and trust by foregrounding factual content.