His wife of almost 60 years, caroline fraser zinsser, confirmed the death. It was nearly two years after i had received on writing well that i started to read it. William zinsser, on writing well clear thinking becomes clear writing. I am only sorry i never met him and was deeply saddened to learn of his death recently. I once told a friend that i try to write lightly and cleanly, expressing the things i want to say in few and pastelcolored words, but i do try to move the reader as well, and add in little. Unfortunately, i have followed the instructions by mr. His 18 books include on writing well, which is in the seventh edition. Author william zinsser died at his manhattan home on tuesday, may 12, 2015.
The message of on writing well, he concludes, is simplify your language and thereby find your humanity. I dont know what still newer marvels will make writing. Veteran journalist and writing teacher william zinsser, whose books on writing have sold more than 700,000 copies, presents 11 of his most successful students discussing what it is like to work as a journalist in the 1990s. On writing well by william zinsser a classic guide to writing nonfiction. The 92yearold left behind one of the classics of writing instruction manuals as his legacy, on writing well. This is what william zinsser teaches in his book on writing well, which has sold millions of copies. He began his career as a newspaper reporter and columnist in new york city, where he still lives. Everybody has the ability to write well enough to produce clear prose without useless words.
His mother gave him a love of wellwritten nonfiction during his youth, and. Both are great, but of the two, zinssers book is the more enjoyable read. As youd expect, the writing is clear and logical throughout and the book is also well organized. A worthwhile book for any writer or aspiring writer, its advice is most helpful to those who are starting their careers or avocations in writing. Based on a course william zinsser taught at yale and his long experience as a writer, editor and teacher, on writing well has been praised by journalists, teachers, writers, students, and grateful users since its publication in 1976. The classic guide to writing nonfiction, and writing to learn, and more on. On writing well by william zinsser is an excellent book for anybody who wants to learn how to write, whether about people or places, science and technology, business, sports, or about yourself heres some of the best advice from the book. Jun 02, 2017 in on writing well the classic guide to nonfiction, william zinsser writes an easytofollow nononsense approach into the core essentials of writing. Zinsser fans should keep their eyes open for his new book, writing places.
On writing well pdf by william zinsser bookspdf4free. His 18 other books range from commentary the writer who stayed, memoir. The classic guide to writing nonfiction zinsser, william on. William zinsser, a journalist whose perennially popular book on writing well became an indispensable classroom and newsroom guide. Zinsser begins the book exploring an educational technique called writing across the curriculum, where teachers of all subjects. William knowlton zinsser october 7, 1922 may 12, 2015 was an american writer, editor. This expanded cd collection presents william zinsser s on writing well, the classic teaching book that has sold more than 1 million copies, together with a new 90minute section that tells you how to write a memoir. William zinsser, on writing well writing is hard work. The life journey of a writer and teacher, which will be published in may by collins. By then zinsser was a guru of good writing, but he never portrayed himself as infallible.
Zinsser divided this book into four different but vital sections. The focus is nonfiction, or as he calls it, explanatory writing. I dont know what still newer marvels will make writing twice as easy in the next 30 years. William zinsser has 31 books on goodreads with 68945 ratings. He knows what he is talking about and has a sense of humor to get the information across.
On writing well has been praised for its sound advice, its clari. William zinsser is the author of this fabulous book. Which whether your medium is books, articles, reports, emails, messages, or status updates makes on writing well a book for us all but it isnt william zinssers 70 years of journalism. Today i often meet young newspaper reporters who were given the book by the editor who hired them, just as those editors were first given the book by the editor who hired them. On writing well is the authorship reference, business encyclopedia, and writing skills book which teaches people how to write books on different topics. May 10, 2015 author william zinsser died at his manhattan home on tuesday, may 12, 2015. William zinsser s on writing well, which first hit the market some 40 years ago, is a classic in the field. On writing well has been applauded for its sound guidance, its clearness and the glow of its style. Writing strategies with grammar book writing workbook featuring new lessons on writing with style by strunk jr. Its im possible for a muddy thinker to write good english. On memoir, truth and writing well april, 2006 william zinsser, author of the classic guide on writing well, talks to michele norris about the challenges of writing personal history. William zinsser s on writing well was a healthy dose of affirmation and my desire, as i write my novel, is to write with simple, clear, effective prose. Zinsser to the point where my work becomes completely dull a.
Where dreyers english and the elements of style focus on grammar and words, on writing well goes deeper and covers specific genres, composition, interviewing, and more if i had to recommend one book on how to write nonfiction well, this would be it. For example, his simplicity in chapter 2 would border on. William zinsser is a highly published freelance writer and teacher of writing. On writing well by william zinsser the classic guide to. But and zinsser says its okay to start a sentence with but, i caught a post on writers net that made mention of william zinsser s book about writing nonfiction. The classic guide to writing nonfiction zinsser, william. Zinsser worked at the new york tribune and at yale where he taught students how to write. This book by the author of the classic on writing well hits all the right notes. May 14, 2015 this may 5, 1998 photo shows, author william zinsser, in his office in new york. This passion comes through clearly in every page and invites the reader to ride along. It appeared in the essay how to write a memoir the american.
Whether you want to write about people or places, science and technology. Oct 20, 2008 william zinsser is not just writing a book on writing well. The classic works on the art of nonfiction writing are now in a complete package for your listening pleasure. William zinsser s most popular book is on writing well. In on writing well the classic guide to nonfiction, william zinsser writes an easytofollow nononsense approach into the core essentials of writing. William zinsser is not just writing a book on writing well. Timeless writing advice from william zinssers on writing. William zinsser, influential author of on writing well.
May, 2015 william zinsser, a writer, editor and teacher whose book on writing well sold more than 1. William zinsser was a lifelong journalist and nonfiction writerhe began his career on the new york herald tribune in 1946and was also a teacher, best known for his book on writing well, a companion held in affection by three generations of writers, reporters, editors, teachers and students. On writing well, which grew out of a course that william zinsser taught at yale, has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity, and for the warmth of its style. In on writing well he shared with readers two pages of what appeared to be the first draft of the book. Description of on writing well by william zinsser pdf. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. William zinsser, the muchconsulted teacher, author, journalist and essayist whose millionselling book on writing well championed the craft of nonfiction and inspired professionals and. You should write a book about how to write, she said. Since his death on may 12, william zinsser dominates my thoughts.
William zinsser, a writer whose 1976 book on writing well has become a bible for people hoping to write concisely and with verve, died. This expanded audio collection presents william zinssers on writing well, the classic teaching book that has sold more than 1 million copies, together with a new 90minute section that tells you how. His many examples were helpful in seeing the concepts he described. Zinsser died at the age of 92 in manhattan on may 12, 2015. William zinsser, on writing well the reader is someone with an attention span of 30 seconds a persona assailed by many forces competing for attention. This is writing, about writing, for writers, by a captain of the craft.
The classic guide to writing nonfiction by william zinsser published on july 31, 2018 july 31, 2018 by carla doria i usually wouldnt have selected this book if it werent for a reading club at my work. How can the rest of us achieve such enviable freedom from clutter. Kilpatrick, in his book the writers art, says that if he were limited to just one book on how to write, it would be william zinsser s on writing well. On writing well is a book so brimming with wisdom that reading it feels like youre clutching a living brain. Writing well is sometimes considered a talent and even an art, but zinsser thinks of writing as a craft that should be practiced and perfected. William zinssers on writing well, which first hit the market some 40 years ago, is a classic in the field. On writing well by william zinsser ive used writing to give myself an interesting life and a continuing educationlearning is a tonic. William zinsser one of my goals for 2016 was to become a better nonfiction writer. The classic guide to writing nonfiction by william. In principles, he discusses some of the minutiae and. I listened to zinsser narrate his nonfiction book, writing places, where he describes the different places he wrote and the types of jobs he had.
On writing well the classic guide to writing nonfiction william zinsser on. William zinsser, a writer, editor and teacher whose book on writing well sold more than 1. A mustread for anyone who does any amount of writing. It is a book for anybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get through the day, as almost everybody does. Zinssers tone and sense of humour made reading the book fun and interesting. William zinsser adds humor to his writing style, and the book is entertaining and easy to read. So on writing well was born, in 1976, and its now in its third generation of readers, its sales well over a million. This may 5, 1998 photo shows, author william zinsser, in his office in new york. Where dreyers english and the elements of style focus on grammar and words, on writing well goes deeper and covers specific genres, composition, interviewing, and more. I dont buy a book now without checking it out first. On writing well the classic guide to writing nonfiction. Alongside strunk and whites the elements of style, william zinssers on writing well is one of the most celebrated and oftreferenced books on the. Zinsser see this amazon canada link below for the book.
He adds, zinsser s sound theory is that writing improves in direct ratio to the number of things we can keep out of it. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. It is a book for anybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to. On writing well is a craft book, and its principles havent changed since it was written 30 years ago. William zinssers on writing well was a healthy dose of affirmation and my desire, as i write my novel, is to write with simple, clear, effective prose. In this chapter the author talks about the importants of the beginning and ending of your writing.
On writing well quiz william zinsser this study guide consists of approximately 36 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of on writing well. But in on writing well, william zinsser goes beyond dos and donts to discuss effective communication, a subtler and more difficult skill to develop. May, 2015 william zinsser, a journalist whose perennially popular book on writing well became an indispensable classroom and newsroom guide, making its author one of the most influential writing. Since its first printing in 1976, the book has sold 1. Keep in mind next time you write and the quality of your output will be greatly improved. If i had to recommend one book on how to write nonfiction well, this would be it. My favorite explicit, directional book on writing better. On writing well audio collection william zinsser digital. It is a book for everyone who needs to figure out how to compose or who needs to do some composition to traverse the day, as nearly everyone does in. I fail to understand how anyone could edit as much as william zinsser does, and still maintain credibility and legibility. An informal guide to writing nonfiction by william zinsser 2012, 30th anniversary edition is one of the best and most practical books on the subject of writing.
Reading his book on writing well transformed my writing in college. William zinsser, author of the classic guide on writing well. On writing well by william zinsser pdf download ebookscart. William zinsser books list of books by author william.
The author says that to interest the reader in your writing you have to write a good first sentence or paragraph to make the reader want to keep reading. I didnt think i had much to learn about principles of writing well, but william zinsser s on writing well taught me a thing or two. The life journey of a writer and teacher by william zinsser. Providing a smattering of meticulous examples, on writing well does a lucid job of clearing up some of the confusion writers might have about style, methods, leads, endings, et al. An informal guide to writing nonfiction by william zinsser published on 5th april 2016. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of on writing well by william zinsser. William zinsser, author of on writing well died yesterday. American author william zinsser s on writing well 1976, is a. The good zinsser divided this book into four different but vital sections. Zinsser, the muchconsulted teacher, author, journalist and essayist whose millionselling book on writing well.
To that end, william zinssers on writing well does a great explaining how to do that, while also defending the claim that since everyone has a voice, everyone can write. This study guide consists of approximately 36 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of on writing well. See all books authored by william zinsser, including on writing well. Dec 05, 2015 to that end, william zinssers on writing well does a great explaining how to do that, while also defending the claim that since everyone has a voice, everyone can write. He explains the birth of his most famous book, the death of i used to be a newspaper reporter, and my editor recommended reading william zinsser s on writing well.
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