Before i read william zinsser s book on writing well, i was notaware that any book that deals with such thorny issues as grammar andword choice could be fun and entertaining. Zinsser s book on writing well provides both a comprehensive guide to writing nonfiction and a useful writers reference. On writing well by william zinsser audio book simply. William zinsser s most popular book is on writing well. On writing well is a book so brimming with wisdom that reading it feels like youre clutching a living brain. His craft books, including on writing well and writing to learn, are regarded as classics in the genre. William zinsser, author of on writing well died yesterday. 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. Jun 18, 2019 on writing well by william zinsser a classic guide to writing nonfiction. 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. 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. Simplify your process for writing what gets their attention is the simplicity of the process. Writing strategies with grammar book writing workbook featuring new lessons on writing with style william strunk jr.
Introduction on writing well william zinsserbuy the book at. If you think you have a book inside you, this is what you need to know. 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. Great blunt advice about writing better nonfiction. On writing well by william zinsser audio book simply audiobooks. 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. But in on writing well, william zinsser goes beyond dos and donts to discuss effective communication, a subtler and more difficult skill to develop.
Jan 01, 20 william zinsser s on writing well, which first hit the market some 40 years ago, is a classic in the field. If you have a story youre itching to tell but dont feel confident in your writing, check out this guide to improving your writing. Keep in mind next time you write and the quality of your output will be greatly improved. When a teacher or anyone else asks you to write a book summary, he or she is requesting that you read a book and write a short account that explains the main plot points, characters and any other important information in your own words. I was warned that its a slow burn perhaps the opposite of the other book ive read on the writing process, anne lamotts bird by bird. I was warned that its a slow burn perhap i always thought of the ability to write well as a gift more than a skillkind of like handeye coordination, or rhythm.
Early rate through december 4 at least a few times a week i receive messages from people asking me how to write a book. William zinsser has 30 books on goodreads with 81492 ratings. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading on writing well, 30th anniversary edition. To order presentationready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers visit.
Jun 07, 2019 alongside strunk and whites the elements of style, william zinsser s on writing well is one of the most celebrated and oftreferenced books on the craft of writing. Either fortunately or unfortunately, theres no single correct way. 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. The printed book covers a useful crosssection of nonfiction genres. Budding novelists or professional writers alike, the most difficult part of putting a book together is probably commitment. Part of my training at this job required reading a quintessential work on nonfiction writing, william zinsser s on writing well 30th anniversary edition. Zinsser, a veteran writer and writing teacher with numerous books and magazine articles to his credit, lays it out straight in a refreshingly nononsense tone. William zinsser, on writing well rewriting is the essence of writing well. May 12, 2015 william knowlton zinsser is an american writer, editor, literary critic, and teacher. Author william zinsser argues that all writing can be improved by committing to clear, simple prose.
If youre an entrepreneur who has been through the ringer in life or business and willing to share, selfpublishing can be powerful. Although william shakespeare did not write actual books, he wrote 38 plays during his career as a playwright. On writing well is a craft book, and its principles havent changed since it was written 30 years ago. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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 zinsser s 70 years of journalism. If you have presented all the facts and made the point you want to make, look for the nearest exit. His earliest written plays included although william shakespeare did not write actual books, he wrote 38 plays during his career a. On writing well by zinsser, william knowlton and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. However long you take, if you craig is an editor and web developer who writes about happiness and motivation at life. William zinsser adds humor to his writing style, and the book is entertaining and easy to read. The six best tips from on writing well by james altucher. Early rate through december 4 my fifth book is going through final edits as i t. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
I dont know what still newer marvels will make writing twice as easy in the next 30 years. Jun 18, 2019 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. He began his career as a journalist for the new york herald tribune, where he worked as a feature writer, drama editor, film critic, and editorial writer. Timeless writing advice from william zinssers on writing well. Apr 05, 2016 on writing well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity and the warmth of its style.
Want to get the main points of on writing well in 20 minutes or less. The classic guide to writing nonfiction by william zinsser date read. William zinssers top 10 tips on writing well by arun. But zinsser s book destroys the stereotypeit teaches great writing while being humorous. William zinsser, author of on writing well, at his work. A mustread for anyone that writes regularly and wants to upgrade their writing skill. In the 1970s, zinsser was head of yale universitys influential writing workshop. Apr 05, 2016 on writing well is a bible for a generation of writers looking for clues to clean, compelling prose. William zinssers on writing well flashcards quizlet.
In on writing well the classic guide to nonfiction, william zinsser writes an easytofollow nononsense approach into the core essentials of writing. On writing well the classic guide to writing nonfiction. But i do know they wont make writing twice as good. The classic guide to writing nonfiction novel are john, emma. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The classic works on the art of nonfiction writing are now in a complete package for your listening pleasure. 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. William zinsser, on writing well writing is visual it catches the eye before it has a chance to catch the brain. The book wraps up with the important attitudes that good writers develop. In the first part of the book, which covers principles such as simplicity and conciseness, as well as style, usage, and vocabulary, zinsser reproduces two manuscript pages showing how he.
Both are great, but of the two, zinsser s book is the more enjoyable read. William zinssers on writing well, which first hit the market some 40 years ago, is a classic in the field. I had been working on a book for oreilly and associates for about 9 months at that point and had talked to other authors who acknowledged the sam. About a year ago, i was talking to someone about how difficult it was to get myself to write. His 18 other books range from commentary the writer who stayed, memoir writing places. This is the only book i keep within reach as im writing.
William zinsser author visit amazons william zinsser page. William knowlton zinsser is an american writer, editor, literary critic, and teacher. Download on writing well book summary, by william zinsser as pdf. People are like sea glass, the longer and harder they are tossed around, the more beautiful they are. He starts with an overview of the writing craft and moves into specific nonfiction writing forms. This is writing, about writing, for writers, by a captain of the craft. On writing well, the classic guide to writing nonfiction, 6e. To begin writing a book, first create an outline that clearly lays out the beginning, middle and end, including chapter breaks if possible. The audiobook i purchased, also called on writing well by zinsser is heavily focused on writing memoirs and not much else. 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. Here are the lessons im currently learning from william zinsser s on writing well. Dont forget to keep your sentences basic, rely on your original style, and remove unnecessary words and ideas from your prose. This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only.
Write about small, selfcontained incidents that are still vivid in your memory. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Check the book on amazon or, browse my top 10 books. Jul 02, 2015 the book titled on writing well was written by william zinsser when youer ready to stop, stop. Are you an advisor whos thought about writing a book. An informal guide to writing nonfiction kindle edition by zinsser, william. On writing well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity and the warmth of its style. Each day, start to begin writing a book, first create an outline that clearly lays out the beginning. Timeless writing advice from william zinssers on writing. 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.
Published in 1976 the book become immediate popular and critical acclaim in language, writing books. I am a photojournalist writing a book and have read at least two dozen books on the subject. The classic guide to writing nonfiction 25th anniversary ed non fiction guide by zinsser, william isbn. Zinsser s approach is simple and direct, to the point, and informal, particularly in terms of settling down and taking on the task of writing. Apr 29, 20 william zinsser, the 90yearold author of on writing well, can no longer see. On writing well book summary, by william zinsser allen cheng. William zinsser on writing well audiobook audiobooks. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read on writing well, 30th anniversary edition. Read a quick 1page summary, a full summary, or watch video summaries curated by our expert team. The classic guide to writing nonfiction 1976 is a collection of guiding principles that can help aspiring writers craft captivating works of professionalquality nonfiction in a variety of genres. William zinsser on writing well audio book download. The classic guide to writing nonfiction paperback april 5, 2016. On writing well by william zinsser the classic guide to.
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