Show don't tell

Adjectives claim. Specifics prove. ## The translation table ## Banned adjectives > _powerful, simple, easy, seamless, beautiful, robust, flexible, scalable, smart, intuitive, modern, next-generation, cutting-edge, best-in-class, innovative_ Replace with a number, a scenario, or a screenshot. If none fit, cut. ## When the adjective stays Three exceptions: - Product categories: "Open-source database." Descriptive, not aspirational. - Proper nouns: "iOS-native," "Stripe-compatible." The reference proves it. - Proof follows immediately: "Fast: first paint under 200 ms." ## Adjective stacks ## Numbers that lie "Up to 10x faster" without a benchmark is a Tell dressed as a Show. _Up to_ could mean 1.2x. Cite the benchmark or drop the claim. "Trusted by 10,000+ companies" is weak. "Used by Stripe, Linear, and Vercel" is strong. Names carry their own proof. ## The smell test Read your hero out loud. Underline every adjective. Read again without them. Sentence still works? Cut them. Sentence collapses? Replace the adjective with its proof: a number, a name, or a scenario.