On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Good writing cannot be achieved unless the writer can organise his thoughts, first in his mind, then on paper. Even as I write this review, the lessons I learned in the chapters of On Writing Well are fresh in my mind. The book not only helped me develop the rigour and clarity in my writing, it also sparked a new enthusiasm to not just write, but write well.William Zinsser tells with clear examples that clutter and clichés in writing are present everywhere, we read them so often that we’ve become numb, narrowing our sense of what a good piece of writing looks like. Then he elegantly shows what it looks like. Humour and optimism are “lubricants in writing”, it also requires “a good musical ear, a sense of rhythm and a feeling for words”, he says.My favourite chapter of this book is A Writer’s Decision in which William Zinsser deconstructs one of his travel piece on Timbuktu, which had appeared in Condé Nast Traveller magazine. Leading up to that section, with my fresh pair of reading eyes and heightened reading senses, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. That chapter summed it up for me, the experiences of Timbuktu lingered for several days in my mind, so did the intertwined writing lessons. I imagined that I was reading the Timbuktu article in the magazine and thought, “how could someone, after reading it, not want to visit Timbuktu and relive for themselves what William Zinsser did”.The book is neatly organised, starting with the fundamental principles of writing, followed by the methods to use during the execution. At this point you’re hooked which is when he takes you with him to dive deep and long into the various forms of writing — such as an interview, a travel, a business, or a science article — each consisting of some brilliant examples to take home an important lesson. In the last section, he covers attitudes which one can develop to become a complete writer.Never ever will I be fooled and mislead again by a poor piece of writing even if it appears in the most prestigious publication. On the other hand, I’ve realised that a fresh piece can appear even in the least reputed newspaper.

Amazing read. Fresh and lively. so much to take on board, but you have to read with your full attention. The gems are hidden through the book. So, keep a watchful eyes to discover the hidden treasure.

Excellent book on explaining non-fiction writing. Authors theories and advice are nicely explained however he does seem very opinionated on certain topics. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but it makes it difficult to critically appraise his advice. Topics are split nicely into short chapters which allow for easy navigation through the book. My one complaint would be it is at sometimes difficult to read especially when the author, lists words and phrases (sometimes without any need).

The importance of this book is not difficult to explain - this is an essential must have for all interested in books, not only for those who write, but for anyone who reads; at the end of it, youll be better in both. The book focuses on how to write well non-fiction, but virtually all its comments do apply also to fiction. And it goes further and helps to understand why good writing is good writing and why good literature is good literature.My favourite part is that dedicated to the basics: what not to do when writing, and specifically how to avoid, as the author calls it, the "clutter", with many examples of that "clutter": how banks, insurance companies, large corporations and, most obviously and constantly, the politians use the language not to explain, but to conceal what they mean, or to look more important; and all by means of using longer (and generally useless, many times gramaically incorrect) expressions. Thus: the very silly "at the present time" instead of the plain yet far more correct "now". There are an array of examples like this one.As I said in the title of this review: a must have for anyone who reads or write; for anyone.

In this very useful and helpful guide, the author makes it clear to us that good, effective writing is a craft and the skills required for it can be learned; he has given many I deas and examples to show how we can do it.

A great book that taught me the do's and don'ts. After reading the first few chapters, I edited my MS and cut 1100 words off one chapter. It's simple lessons and examples make it an easy and enjoyable read as well as an essential tool for all creative non-fiction writers.

William Zinsser’s "On Writing Well" is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their nonfiction writing skills. With its clear structure and practical advice, Zinsser emphasizes the importance of simplicity, clarity, and voice in writing.One of the book’s standout features is its conversational tone, making it accessible and engaging for writers at any level. Zinsser shares personal anecdotes and experiences, which not only illustrate his points but also keep the reader engaged. His emphasis on the writer's unique perspective is refreshing, encouraging writers to find their own voice rather than simply follow trends.The chapters cover various aspects of writing, from the importance of revision to understanding the structures of different types of nonfiction. Zinsser’s insights into the writing process are both practical and motivational, helping writers to overcome common challenges like self-doubt and writer’s block.What makes Zinsser’s guide classic is its enduring wisdom. Although written decades ago, the principles laid out in this book remain relevant today in our fast-paced, information-driven world.Overall, "On Writing Well" is not just a guide; it’s a companion for anyone who wants to write better and convey their message more effectively. Highly recommended for aspiring writers, editors, and anyone who wants to sharpen their writing craft.

I’m planning to write more. I was looking for certain advice, and this book provides many insights and general views that I found very helpful

Bhut achi h book hFull interesting book

Really a great book, it's full of good advice and the author comes across as someone you'd love to spend time with.I bought it for practical reasons (wanting to write better emails at work) and had a great time while reading it.My advice to potential readers is to read it alongside a non-fiction book you like.

An entertaining and enlightening book for anyone who wants to improve his or her writing style - and not just for English native speakers but also for people (like me) who usually write in another language. The core criteria of good writing style are convincingly explained and illustrated with just the right number of examples. The practical tips for revising texts makes things easy and motivate you to revise your own texts quickly and effectively It's easy to see the before-and-after effects in your own work immediately.