Genealogy Books - On Writing Well, 25th Anniversary : The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (On Writing Well)

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Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:

Summary: Good reference for all types of writers
Comment: William Zinsser's book, On Writing Well, has been a popular guide to writing for many audiences. It
has been used by undergraduate and graduate students and by aspiring and professional writers. I
was recommended this book by a professor when I was in grauduate school. I never took the time to
read the book until recently.

I found Part I and II of the book to be too simplistic and bland.
Zinsser spends more time describing and discussing grammar than actually demonstrating and
explaining. There are no examples of grammar just descriptions of how to use it. Perhaps, Zinsser
wanted to place more emphasis on writing than grammar in the book. It is not until Part III-Forms
that Zinsser addresses how to write about a specific topic. He discusses writing topics such as
nonfiction, interviews, travel, memoirs, business, sports, arts and humor. I found this to be the
most helpful section of the book. Part IV-Attitudes describes the role and importance of writing
style and decisions in writing.

If you are looking for a book that teaches grammar or is a
reference guide for grammar, this is not it. This book is a reference guide for writers. If you
want to learn more about writing particular types of articles or books, refer to Part III-Forms.

Customer Rating:

Summary: An invaluable guide to effective writing.
Comment: This well-presented, easy-to-read, and simple-to-understand book aimed at nonfiction writers, but
from which fiction writers can also benefit, is an invaluable guide to achieving good writing
through the continued use of the fundamental principles and practical insights it offers. />Written for both beginners and professionals in a strong, clear and straightforward style, it
teaches how to avoid bad writing by following a methodological approach to creating, shaping and
self-editing your ideas in prose.
Although sometimes the author's voice can come across as
arrogant and boastful, making your read somewhat less pleasurable, I can assure you that only sound,
concrete advice is presented here, free of fluff or tiring verbiage and illustrated by excellent
examples that consistently emphasize the differences between correct and incorrect writing. />Divided in four parts, each made up of numerous, concise, and easy to consult chapters, it
includes topics such as simplicity, style, usage, unity, leads, endings, and audience. Special
attention is devoted to various types of nonfiction writing, including interviews, travel articles,
memoirs, business writing, scientific and technological writing, sports articles, humor, criticisms
and periodical columns.
Overall, this is one guide that can't afford to be missing from your
bookshelf if you are serious about writing in a polished, well-defined and sharp style. As you
write, you will find yourself referring to it again and again.

For other books that
focus on teaching good writing through the use of the tools of language, I also recommend Strunk's
"The Elements of Style" and O'Conner's "Woe Is I" and "Words Fail Me."
--Reviewed by Maritza
Volmar

Customer Rating:

Summary: ONE FOR THE KEEPER SELF
Comment: Perfectly updated, Zinsser's book on writing well reminds us of what's important in being an
effective writer. This isn't about fiction, but nonfiction. In two days, I've listened to this audio
tape four times. The simplicity of Zinsser's advice is refreshing.

When I pick up a pen, I
always remind myself to keep it simple and say it in as few words a possible. That's pretty much
Zinsser's advice. He also believes one who thinks clearly should be able to write clearly. Words are
tools. Learn to use the language (tool) "simply and warmly" and you can write, too. He also warns
that writing is not easy. A good writer writes and rewrites. Zinsser reminds us that writing is not
a contest between writers, but a transaction between the writer and the reader.

"My four
principles are: Clarity, Simplicity, Brevity and Humanity. If you keep those four principles in
mind, there's almost nothing you can't do."

Zinsser goes over the four principles and more.
Each subject is to the point--as Zinsser's says, "Life is too short."

Zinsser gives his
readers plenty of wisdom--too much to put in one review. Any writer who takes his own work seriously
and wants others to as well should buy the book or audio tape and keep it handy.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Worthless Book
Comment: How Zinsser can call himself a writer is beyond me. This book is filled with hostility, arrogance,
and hypocrisy. All of the points Zinsser makes about being an effective writer are contradicted at
some point throughout the book, either directly via a comment, or through his own writing
style.

'Part-time' writers are trivialized and all forms of writing except that which Zinsser
purports to practice are criticized.

This book is nothing more than a blatant attempt at
self-aggrandization.

If you're truly interested in being a writer, ignore all of the nonsensical
garbage Zinsser writes. Trust me, I've been a newspaper editor for 25 years.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Indispensable nonfiction writing book
Comment: Williams Zissner has written and edited dozens of books, many of them on the craft of writing. He's
seen plenty of bad writing in his lifetime, and in "On Writing Well" he shows you how to avoid it.

The book is divided into 4 sections and several chapters. The first 2 sections (pages 1-92) deal
with the craft of nonfiction itself. Topics such as avoiding clutter, writing for the appropriate
audience, word usage and beginning/ending the piece are covered, among several others. In section 3
(pages 95-229) he deals with specific forms of nonfiction, including travel writing, science and
technology, sports and humor genres.

The last section (pages 233-294) addresses finding your voice
and general topics about the career and choices of the professional writer.

This is a wonderful
book for any prose writer, whether it's fiction, screenplays or travel articles. Zissner's love for
the English language is transcended onto the page with each word he writes. He isn't afraid to say
it like it is, mentioning that most people just simply write horribly and then offering his own
opinion as to just why this is.

"On Writing Well" should be in every writer's collection.

Back to On Writing Well, 25th Anniversary : The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (On Writing Well)

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