Everything came to a head ten years ago, sitting in a classroom in vibrant New York City. It was such a beautiful spring morning, where the sky was painted with a deep blue and with cotton-like clouds floating lazily above. That day was the deadline for our midterm projects in Business English Writing class.

The professor arrived, as always, wearing his usual pristine suit and tie. However, his notoriously bad temper seemed to fill the room. He was a middle-aged man—elegant, reserved, and, in my opinion, something of a genius. Without a word, he sat down and began reading through our midterms reports, his expression icy and unreadable.

After a few minutes, he suddenly broke the silence and declared, "I’m not going to keep wasting my time with this sh#t. Your words are all running around the bushes just going nowhere!".

We stared at him, bewildered. We had poured countless hours into these reports, yet to him, our efforts were trash. Then, he said it, something that tattooed itself in my brain. Picking up a marker, he wrote the word KISS on the board and turned to us with a spark of dare in his eye.

"Do you know what that means?" he asked.

The room remained silent. We exchanged uncertain glances, unable to decipher what he was trying to say with that. After an endless pause, during which the professor's piercing gaze swept across the room, he finally spoke.

"Keep it simple, stupid", he said. "Life isn’t about filling spaces with meaningless stuff. It’s about clarity and intention. This…" he continued, gesturing toward the board, "is the real secret of writing".

Years have passed since that day, and now I find myself standing in front of my own students as their professor. I always share this lesson with them. That single, sharp word transformed into a marvelous acronym—one that I’ve adapted with a slight yet profound change:

K.I.S.S.

"Keep It Simple but Significant".

This principle has become my guide, not just in writing but in everything—teaching, communication, learning, and even life itself. Simplicity paired with significance is the secret to creating meaning, whether on paper or in the journey of living.

Dave.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What was the professor’s initial reaction to the students' midterm reports?
2. What does the acronym KISS stand for according to the professor?
3. How did the author modify the meaning of KISS in their teaching?
4. Why does the author believe simplicity and significance are essential in life?
5. In what way did the professor’s lesson impact the author’s life and career?
   

Open-Ended Questions

1. Why do you think simplicity is often undervalued in communication and life?
2. Can you think of a situation where simplifying your approach led to better results?
3. How would you apply the concept of "Keep It Simple but Significant" in your own life?
   

Vocabulary and Expressions

1. Came to a head – Reached a critical or decisive moment.
2. Vibrant – Full of energy, brightness, and life.
3. Notoriously – Widely known, often for something negative.
4. Bewildered – Confused and uncertain.
5. Tattooed itself in my brain – Made a lasting and unforgettable impression.
6. Running around the bushes – Avoiding the main point or being unnecessarily indirect.
7. Unreadable – Impossible to interpret or understand.
8. Piercing gaze – A look that is intense and penetrating.
9. Clarity – The quality of being clear and easy to understand.
10. Significance – The quality of being important or meaningful.

Final Reflection

Sometimes the simplest lessons have the deepest impact. Whether in writing, relationships, or life’s challenges, clarity and significance pave the way to true understanding. Remember: when overwhelmed by complexity, just K.I.S.S.—Keep It Simple but Significant.