The World's Best Book Summaries
What is workplace culture? How does it affect a company’s success? In Delivering Happiness, Tony Hsieh explains that fostering a healthy workplace culture is essential in developing a successful business. Culture is not something that can be concretely defined, but the two most important aspects of a company’s culture are employee behavior and belief, which Hsieh explains more in-depth. Learn more about what workplace culture is and its importance.
Do you write creative nonfiction? What can you do to spice your nonfiction piece up? In his book On Writing Well, William Zinsser explains that nonfiction writing doesn’t have to be flat and bland. You can write nonfiction in ways that will grip readers as much as fiction writing. From interviews to memoirs to sports writing, here’s how to add some flare to your nonfiction.
Are you a sportswriter or want to be one? Are you looking for sports writing tips? Sports writing is a form of nonfiction that reports on topics involving sports, such as athletes, games, and competitions. Zinsser notes two problems sportswriters face: making the story about them and flaunting their knowledge. Here’s why you should avoid both.
Do you struggle to keep consistent as you write? What are some things to consider to ensure your writing is consistent in terms of tone, argument, point of view, and tense? If you want to maintain consistency in your writing, you need to ask yourself these four guiding questions: What’s the main idea? What point of view will you use? What tense will you use? And what tone will you have? You must make these decisions ahead of time so you don’t lose focus part-way through. Here’s how to maintain consistency while writing.
What are some of the greatest quotes by Sun Tzu? Are they applicable today, outside the battlefield? According to Sun Tzu, the key to winning the battle is to know your enemy. When you know your enemy, you can anticipate their actions beforehand. You can also determine whether you stand the chance of winning a battle and regroup accordingly. Here are some of Sun Tzu’s enemy quotes with explanations.
How can an interview bump up your nonfiction writing? What are the dos and don’ts of a good interview? When writing nonfiction, incorporating quotes and perspectives from other people can bump up the piece by adding engagement, emotional appeal, and humanity. However, there are some things you need to keep in mind when writing an interview. Here’s how to conduct a good interview, with tips from American writer William Zinsser.
What does tone of voice in writing mean? How do different tones of voice convey different feelings? Choosing what tone to use in your writing is an important decision. Depending on what tone you choose, your writing can convey different feelings and meanings. Additionally, make sure you remain consistent with the tone you choose. Here’s why your tone of voice matters so much.
What tense should you write in? What are some things to consider when choosing which tense to use? The two most common writing tenses are present and past. The tenses help your reader situate themselves in the timeline of events, so make sure to choose the right one. Here’s how to decide which tense you should use in your writing.
Do you feel discouraged when your first draft doesn’t come out perfect? Do you feel like you’ve failed if you need to write a second draft? Having to write a second draft doesn’t mean you’ve failed. In fact, the best writers revisit their works many times. Writing a second draft is how you find cluttered writing, clarify your ideas, and simplify your sentences. Here’s why you should embrace rewriting.
What is William Zinsser’s book On Writing Well about? How can Zinsser’s tips help you improve your nonfiction writing? No matter your current skill level, William Zinsser believes anyone can practice the craft of writing. On Writing Well offers a back-to-basics approach, focusing on honing essential writing skills rather than trying to employ complex stylistic techniques. Here’s a brief overview of the key ideas discussed in On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser.