On writing well has been applauded for its sound guidance, its clearness and the glow of its style. 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. 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. William zinsser adds humor to his writing style, and the book is entertaining and easy to read. 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. I dont know what still newer marvels will make writing twice as easy in the next 30 years. It is a book for anybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to. In on writing well the classic guide to nonfiction, william zinsser writes an easytofollow nononsense approach into the core essentials of writing. An informal guide to writing nonfiction by william zinsser published on 5th april 2016. William zinssers on writing well, which first hit the market some 40 years ago, is a classic in the field.
William zinsser, on writing well writing is hard work. On writing well is the authorship reference, business encyclopedia, and writing skills book which teaches people how to write books on different topics. On writing well has been praised for its sound advice, its clari. The classic guide to writing nonfiction by william.
You should write a book about how to write, she said. For example, his simplicity in chapter 2 would border on. William zinsser s most popular book is on writing well. Since his death on may 12, william zinsser dominates my thoughts. William zinsser is a highly published freelance writer and teacher of 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. A mustread for anyone who does any amount of writing. 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. 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. 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. Timeless writing advice from william zinssers on writing.
This book by the author of the classic on writing well hits all the right notes. 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. On writing well by william zinsser the classic guide to. On writing well audio collection william zinsser digital. The classic guide to writing nonfiction zinsser, william on. 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. 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. Its im possible for a muddy thinker to write good english.
William zinsser, influential author of on writing well. Alongside strunk and whites the elements of style, william zinssers on writing well is one of the most celebrated and oftreferenced books on the. 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. William zinsser is not just writing a book on writing well. As youd expect, the writing is clear and logical throughout and the book is also well organized. His 18 books include on writing well, which is in the seventh edition.
This is writing, about writing, for writers, by a captain of the craft. It appeared in the essay how to write a memoir the american. In on writing well he shared with readers two pages of what appeared to be the first draft of the book. In this chapter the author talks about the importants of the beginning and ending of your writing. His many examples were helpful in seeing the concepts he described. 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. The classic works on the art of nonfiction writing are now in a complete package for your listening pleasure. On writing well is a craft book, and its principles havent changed since it was written 30 years ago. 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. The classic guide to writing nonfiction zinsser, william.
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. William zinsser is the author of this fabulous book. Whether you want to write about people or places, science and technology. May 14, 2015 this may 5, 1998 photo shows, author william zinsser, in his office in new york. He began his career as a newspaper reporter and columnist in new york city, where he still lives. William zinsser s on writing well, which first hit the market some 40 years ago, is a classic in the field. On writing well by william zinsser pdf download ebookscart. Zinsser see this amazon canada link below for the book. But in on writing well, william zinsser goes beyond dos and donts to discuss effective communication, a subtler and more difficult skill to develop. Writing strategies with grammar book writing workbook featuring new lessons on writing with style by strunk jr. Zinsser, the muchconsulted teacher, author, journalist and essayist whose millionselling book on writing well.
William zinsser one of my goals for 2016 was to become a better nonfiction writer. 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. Zinsser divided this book into four different but vital sections. If i had to recommend one book on how to write nonfiction well, this would be it. Zinsser worked at the new york tribune and at yale where he taught students how to write. On writing well by william zinsser ive used writing to give myself an interesting life and a continuing educationlearning is a tonic. William zinsser, on writing well clear thinking becomes clear writing. Oct 20, 2008 william zinsser is not just writing a book on writing well. I dont buy a book now without checking it out first. The life journey of a writer and teacher, which will be published in may by collins.
On writing well by william zinsser a classic guide to writing nonfiction. He knows what he is talking about and has a sense of humor to get the information across. It was nearly two years after i had received on writing well that i started to read it. May 10, 2015 author william zinsser died at his manhattan home on tuesday, may 12, 2015. So on writing well was born, in 1976, and its now in its third generation of readers, its sales well over a million. My favorite explicit, directional book on writing better. 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. Description of on writing well by william zinsser pdf. 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. Zinsser fans should keep their eyes open for his new book, writing places. I fail to understand how anyone could edit as much as william zinsser does, and still maintain credibility and legibility. 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. William zinsser, a writer whose 1976 book on writing well has become a bible for people hoping to write concisely and with verve, died. 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.
I am only sorry i never met him and was deeply saddened to learn of his death recently. The focus is nonfiction, or as he calls it, explanatory writing. 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. American author william zinsser s on writing well 1976, is a. The life journey of a writer and teacher by william zinsser. Read by zinsser with warmth, humor, and encouragement, on writing well shows how to apply the authors four principles of writing. 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. On writing well the classic guide to writing nonfiction william zinsser on.
His wife of almost 60 years, caroline fraser zinsser, confirmed the death. Zinsser begins the book exploring an educational technique called writing across the curriculum, where teachers of all subjects. This may 5, 1998 photo shows, author william zinsser, in his office in new york. The classic guide to writing nonfiction, and writing to learn, and more on. 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. 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. William zinsser, author of on writing well died yesterday. He adds, zinsser s sound theory is that writing improves in direct ratio to the number of things we can keep out of it. On writing well the classic guide to writing nonfiction. This is what william zinsser teaches in his book on writing well, which has sold millions of copies.
The message of on writing well, he concludes, is simplify your language and thereby find your humanity. His 18 other books range from commentary the writer who stayed, memoir. 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. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of on writing well by william zinsser. The good zinsser divided this book into four different but vital sections.
Zinsser to the point where my work becomes completely dull a. 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. May, 2015 william zinsser, a writer, editor and teacher whose book on writing well sold more than 1. Unfortunately, i have followed the instructions by mr. William zinsser, author of the classic guide on writing well. 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. See all books authored by william zinsser, including on writing well. 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. William zinsser, a writer, editor and teacher whose book on writing well sold more than 1. William knowlton zinsser october 7, 1922 may 12, 2015 was an american writer, editor. In principles, he discusses some of the minutiae and. Reading his book on writing well transformed my writing in college. 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. His mother gave him a love of wellwritten nonfiction during his youth, and.
William zinsser, a journalist whose perennially popular book on writing well became an indispensable classroom and newsroom guide. By then zinsser was a guru of good writing, but he never portrayed himself as infallible. I dont know what still newer marvels will make writing. Everybody has the ability to write well enough to produce clear prose without useless words. Keep in mind next time you write and the quality of your output will be greatly improved. 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. 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. This passion comes through clearly in every page and invites the reader to ride along. 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.
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 died at the age of 92 in manhattan on may 12, 2015. William zinsser has 31 books on goodreads with 68945 ratings. 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. William zinsser books list of books by author william. Zinssers tone and sense of humour made reading the book fun and interesting. 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. On writing well is a book so brimming with wisdom that reading it feels like youre clutching a living brain. 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.
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. Both are great, but of the two, zinssers book is the more enjoyable read. On writing well pdf by william zinsser bookspdf4free. Author william zinsser died at his manhattan home on tuesday, may 12, 2015. 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. How can the rest of us achieve such enviable freedom from clutter.
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