On Writing Well: AN Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction - Softcover

ZINSSER, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0062733036 ISBN 13: 9780062733030

Publisher: Harper, 1992

Synopsis

An indispensable guide for writers, this phenomenal bestseller has been completely updated to include examples from today's best writers. William Zinsser teaches the principles of good writing in a variety of forms. "Belongs on any shelf of serious reference works for writers."--New York Times.

About this title

Review

Whether you write an occasional professional letter or a daily newspaper column, William Zinsser's On Writing Well should be required reading. Simplicity is Zinsser's mantra: he preaches a stripped-down writing style, strong and clear. He has no patience for excess (most use of adjectives and adverbs, he writes, just adds clutter) or tired phraseology (for instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving those "future archaeologists" most often found "stumbl[ing] upon the remains of our civilization"). He recommends that all writers of nonfiction read their work aloud (don't commit something to paper that you wouldn't actually say) and write under the assumption that "the reader knows nothing" (not to be confused with assuming the reader's an idiot). In addition to the chapters on the expected--usage, audience, interviews, leads--Zinsser also focuses on such trouble spots as science and technical writing, business writing, sports, and humor.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harper
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0062733036
• ISBN 13: 9780062733030
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 320