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

ZINSSER, William

  • 4.23 out of 5 stars
    30,925 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780062733030: On Writing Well: AN Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction

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.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of 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.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780673993083: On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0673993086 ISBN 13:  9780673993083
Publisher: Harpercollins College Div, 1994
Softcover