What is a Lipogram?

A lipogram is a piece of writing where one or more letters are deliberately left out. It’s a type of constrained writing, often used as a challenge or creative experiment.

For example, someone might write an entire story without using the letter E — the most common letter in English. That’s a lipogram.

Writers can choose to avoid any letter, or even more than one, depending on how difficult they want to make it.

Why Do Lipograms Work?

Lipograms work because they force creativity. By removing a key part of the language, the writer has to find new ways to say things. This often leads to unusual word choices, clever phrasing, and unexpected turns of thought.

Here’s why lipograms can be powerful:

• They challenge assumptions. You start to see how often certain letters shape your language.

• They spark originality. When common words are off-limits, you’re pushed to think differently.

• They engage readers. Once people know what’s missing, they start hunting for it.

A good lipogram doesn’t just hide the missing letter — it makes you forget it was ever needed.

How Can You Use Lipograms?

Lipograms can be playful, impressive, or even strategic. You can use them in different ways depending on the goal.

In Creative Writing

Writers have used lipograms for centuries as a test of skill:

• Georges Perec wrote an entire 300-page novel without using the letter E

• Ernest Vincent Wright wrote Gadsby, a 50,000-word novel with no Es at all

You can try it yourself by setting small challenges. Write a poem without the letter A. Describe your day without using I. It’s harder than it sounds — and that’s the point.

In Content or Marketing

Lipograms can add curiosity and shareability to a piece:

• Write a product description with a missing letter

• Run a social media challenge asking others to do the same

• Use it as a hook: “This entire paragraph contains no E. Can you tell?”

It’s a great way to spark interaction and make your writing stand out.

In Teaching or Learning

Lipograms are useful in classrooms too. They help highlight language structure, vocabulary choices, and the importance of each letter. They’re simple to set up and surprisingly tricky to complete.

In Summary

A lipogram is a form of writing where one or more letters are left out on purpose. It’s a creative constraint that can lead to clever work, fresh ideas, and surprising results.

Whether you’re using it as a personal challenge or a public hook, a lipogram shows just how much you can say — even with less.