On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
by: William K. Zinsser
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Amazon.com Review:
Whether you write an occasional professional letter or a dailynewspaper column, William Zinsser's On Writing Well should berequired reading. Simplicity is Zinsser's mantra: he preaches astripped-down writing style, strong and clear. He has no patience forexcess (most use of adjectives and adverbs, he writes, just addsclutter) or tired phraseology (for instance, he'd like to outlaw allleads involving those "future archaeologists" most oftenfound "stumbl[ing] upon the remains of ourcivilization"). He recommends that all writers of nonfiction readtheir work aloud (don't commit something to paper that you wouldn'tactually say) and write under the assumption that "the readerknows nothing" (not to be confused with assuming the reader's anidiot). In addition to the chapters on the expected--usage, audience,interviews, leads--Zinsser also focuses on such trouble spots asscience and technical writing, business writing, sports, and humor.
Product Description:
On Writing Well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity and the warmth of its style. It is a book for everybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get through the day, as almost everybody does in the age of e-mail and the Internet. Whether you want to write about people or places, science and technology, business, sports, the arts or about yourself in the increasingly popular memoir genre, On Writing Well offers you fundamental priciples as well as the insights of a distinguished writer and teacher. With more than a million copies sole, this volume has stood the test of time and remains a valuable resource for writers and would-be writers.
Whether you write an occasional professional letter or a dailynewspaper column, William Zinsser's On Writing Well should berequired reading. Simplicity is Zinsser's mantra: he preaches astripped-down writing style, strong and clear. He has no patience forexcess (most use of adjectives and adverbs, he writes, just addsclutter) or tired phraseology (for instance, he'd like to outlaw allleads involving those "future archaeologists" most oftenfound "stumbl[ing] upon the remains of ourcivilization"). He recommends that all writers of nonfiction readtheir work aloud (don't commit something to paper that you wouldn'tactually say) and write under the assumption that "the readerknows nothing" (not to be confused with assuming the reader's anidiot). In addition to the chapters on the expected--usage, audience,interviews, leads--Zinsser also focuses on such trouble spots asscience and technical writing, business writing, sports, and humor.
Product Description:
On Writing Well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity and the warmth of its style. It is a book for everybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get through the day, as almost everybody does in the age of e-mail and the Internet. Whether you want to write about people or places, science and technology, business, sports, the arts or about yourself in the increasingly popular memoir genre, On Writing Well offers you fundamental priciples as well as the insights of a distinguished writer and teacher. With more than a million copies sole, this volume has stood the test of time and remains a valuable resource for writers and would-be writers.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Its a must read for everyone, not just writers.
I know that my review will not do this book justice.I will, however, try to capture some main ideas.The book is all-around superb.It not only discusses the process of writing from inspiration to mechanics. Its a must read for everyone, not just writers.
Rating: 
- A mediocre writer, with an arrogance problem
So here's the problem. Brilliant writers don't write books on how to write. Which means you end up getting advice on how to be a good writer from writers who aren't very good. This would be OK if they had some humility, but Zinsser doesn't. He writes as if his work is better than yours could ever be, and therefor deserving of your total fascination. Unfortunately, it's not -- in his section on improving sentences I saw a dozen ways his sentences could be improved. If you really need help writing, ... Read More
Rating: - I am not a reader....
... but I read this book and loved it. I'm almost 40 and I realized most what they taught us in school was NONSENSE. But thanks to Zinsser I can start, and end, my sentences with but.
Rating: - A Great Book
I need not add my voice to the many who have found this book of such great value that they have forced publication of edition after edition (now up to 30); their action speaks loud and clear. My small voice simply adds to their chorus. This is one great book.
Rating: 
- Good Experience
I recieved this item in a timely matter. I got what I expected and would be happy to do business with the seller again.
- Its a must read for everyone, not just writers.I know that my review will not do this book justice.I will, however, try to capture some main ideas.The book is all-around superb.It not only discusses the process of writing from inspiration to mechanics. Its a must read for everyone, not just writers.
- A mediocre writer, with an arrogance problemSo here's the problem. Brilliant writers don't write books on how to write. Which means you end up getting advice on how to be a good writer from writers who aren't very good. This would be OK if they had some humility, but Zinsser doesn't. He writes as if his work is better than yours could ever be, and therefor deserving of your total fascination. Unfortunately, it's not -- in his section on improving sentences I saw a dozen ways his sentences could be improved. If you really need help writing, ... Read More
- I am not a reader....... but I read this book and loved it. I'm almost 40 and I realized most what they taught us in school was NONSENSE. But thanks to Zinsser I can start, and end, my sentences with but.
- A Great BookI need not add my voice to the many who have found this book of such great value that they have forced publication of edition after edition (now up to 30); their action speaks loud and clear. My small voice simply adds to their chorus. This is one great book.
- Good ExperienceI recieved this item in a timely matter. I got what I expected and would be happy to do business with the seller again.
