{"id":62437,"date":"2022-03-16T06:12:21","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T10:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=62437"},"modified":"2022-03-18T11:39:54","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T15:39:54","slug":"on-writing-well-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/on-writing-well-review\/","title":{"rendered":"On Writing Well: Review & Critical Reception"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you thinking of reading On Writing Well <\/em>by William Zinsser? Can the book help you improve your nonfiction writing skills?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter your current skill level, William Zinsser believes anyone can practice the craft of writing. On Writing Well<\/em> offers a back-to-basics approach, focusing on honing essential writing skills rather than trying to employ complex stylistic techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s our On Writing Well <\/em>review, including the book’s approach, critical reception, and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Book Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In On Writing Well<\/em>, William Zinsser argues that, like any craft, good writing can be learned. Writing is a form of communication, and most of us have to communicate via writing in our lives or jobs. If you want to write an intelligent email, a best-selling novel, or an instruction manual, Zinsser\u2019s principles of writing will help you communicate effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After years of writing professionally and teaching writing courses, Zinsser distilled his main ideas about good writing into On Writing Well<\/em>. In this guide, we\u2019ll break down Zinsser\u2019s principles of writing: simplicity, clarity, and identity. We\u2019ll also explore his advice on constructing good writing and on common challenges of different nonfiction genres. In addition, we\u2019ll examine how his principles align with or differ from other writing experts, and we\u2019ll explore how his ideas can play out in specific examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

William Zinsser<\/a> was an American writer, journalist, and teacher. He wrote 19 books, including On Writing Well<\/em>, Writing to Learn<\/em><\/a>, and Writing About Your Life<\/em><\/a>. He frequently contributed articles to Life<\/em> and The American Scholar <\/em>magazine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zinsser taught writing classes at Yale University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. This book distills much of the information he taught in his lectures on creative nonfiction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After losing his eyesight, Zinsser began one-on-one coaching for aspiring and professional writers. Writers would read him their work, and he\u2019d critique it\u2014for the small price of a sandwich<\/a>. In 2015, he passed away at the age of 92<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connect with William Zinsser:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n