On Writing Well, 25th Anniversary : The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Media:	Paperback
Author:	William Zinsser
Publisher:	Collins
Release date:	18 September, 2001
List price:	~~$14.00~~
Our price:	$11.20 that is 20% off!

On Writing Well, 25th Anniversary : The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Average rating:

Excellent, concise and clear.

This book was easy to read and full of useful information, with a comprehensive index. After I finished reading, I radically edited a piece I'd just written. The wordiness was cut out, the point was made clearer and it read more smoothly. The cover says the book is the classic guide to writing non-fiction; though I think the advice applies equally well to fiction.

On Writing Well is split into four parts. The first, Principles, deals with the mechanics of writing. Zinsser is insistent that you strip the clutter from your writing. Part two is Methods, advising consistency of tone and tense, and the importance of strong beginnings and endings. Part three looks in detail at types of writing (humour, memoir, science, business etc.). The final part looks at attitudes, how we approach our writing and our unique writing.

Zinsser says: "My commodity as a writer, whatever I'm writing, is me. And your commodity is you."

Probably the best advice from Zinsser was about rewriting until the piece is as good as you can get it. I wrote the first draft of this review by hand, to force at least one rewrite as I typed it up. What you're reading now is the fourth draft, and it's much better than the first was. This is an excellent book I think everyone can learn from.

Excellent writing tool!

"Writing isn't easy, it is hard and lonely and the words seldom just flow" says author, editor, and teacher William Zinsser.

Zinsser calls "clutter" the disease of American writing. He says the secret to good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components. Clutter is the laborious phrase that has pushed out the short word that means the same thing.

I like his quote, "Few people realize how bad they write." On style, he tells us that you don't just try to add style. It comes with practice; that trying to add style is like adding a toupee. Be yourself, it will come."

The author's style is very pure, he is honest, he has wit, humor and a knowledge of the art of writing. The book is sectioned in three parts:

Part I is Principles and it covers basics such as clutter, style, the audience, words, usage.

Part II is Methods, which discusses unity, the ever important lead and ending and hodge podge of info called Bits and Pieces which delves into punctuation, rewrites, trusting your material, etc.

Part III deals with Writing about People - the interview; writing about places - Travel Article; Writing About Yourself - the Memoir, business writing, and writing about the Arts - Critics and Columnists, and writing with humor.

Part IV is about Attitudes - The Sound of Your Voice and how to craft a casual effect in writing. He says inexperienced writers miss the point trying to be "just folks." Great book...MzRizz

Great learning text - full of good information

William Zinsser's on writing well has a history of being used in writing courses. He advocates a writing style is direct, clear and crisp. He divides the book into four sections: The Principles, Methods, Forms and Attitudes. Probably the best parts are the first two. The Principles covers keeping your writing simple, removing clutter, writing for the audience, word choice and usage. The Methods covers things such as unity within the writing, the lead and ending and various other aspects of writing methods. The section on Forms covers various specific writing techniques and styles for different forms of writing. Specifically it covers areas such as the Interview, Travel Articles, the Memoir, Business Writing and Technical Writing. If you have a specific need for one of these forms then the section has some very good advice. Finally the section on Attitude covers the required Attitude of the writer.

Throughout the book you learn that writing is indeed a craft that can be learned. Zinsser points out the most important patterns and techniques of successful writers so that you can follow their lead. This book is still one of the most recommended texts for people just beginning to learn to write and with good reason, it should be on the bookshelf of anyone serious about writing.

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