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

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

Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:

Summary: A CLASSIC GUIDE TO WRITING WELL
Comment: On Writing Well, by William Zinsser, is meant to compliment The Elements of Style by Stunk and
White. In Zinsser's own words "The Elements of Style is a book of pointers and admonitions: do
this, don't do that. What it didn't address was how to apply those principles to the various forms
that nonfiction writing and journalism can take."

Although the book is organized in
four parts, the content could really be summarized in two categories:
· Writing principals,
methods, and attitudes
· Guidelines for specific forms of nonfiction, including travel,
humor, business, sports, arts, memoirs, and family history.

Subjects addressed
include: rewriting, craft vs. art, humanity and warmth, clutter, simplicity, finding a style,
clichés, rhythm, unity, tone, and attitude. All of these are covered with the insight of a
successful writer having decades of experience.

The author works some biographical
information and experiences into the text, but the focus of the material is on writing well. Given
that the first edition was in 1976, some of the examples and attitudes are dated, but they also add
to the charm of the book.

No recaps or exercises are included at the end of the
chapters, but an index is provided for easy reference.

As the subtitle indicates, the
book is specifically directed at nonfiction writing, but many of the concepts also apply to fiction.
With over a million copies sold, and in its thirtieth anniversary edition, much of the information
has already been worked into other writing guides. As envisioned by Zinsser, On Writing Well
compliments The Elements of Style. Together, they make a great combination.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Bead Creative Art Quilts
Comment: I am not a quilter but I am developing an interest and skill , I hope , in beading on fabric. I
found this book by Nancy Eha particularly helpful in extending my knowledge. The diagrams and
patterns are clear and easily followed by all skill levels. The book has numerous illustrations,
clear text and excellent pattern sheets at the end, for the user to develop their own patterns.I
feel I will use it a lotand can recommend this book to other beaders. Jane Haultain. New Zealand

Customer Rating:

Summary: Want to totally change your writing style? Read Zinsser!
Comment: Remember all those rules about writing that you learned in your many years of school? Well get
ready to throw them out the window. Zinsser's book, On Writing Well, will totally and completely
reshape the way you write. It may sound crazy, but he's right! Every chapter of the book is
devoted to a different rule in writing. Believe it or not, everything he says makes perfect sense.
He tells you how to rip apart your writings to make them great with a little hint of humor on the
side. Most people do not find books about how to write to be interesting, but if you start reading
Zinsser's book, I guarantee that you will not be able to put it down. I highly recommend this book!

Customer Rating:

Summary: Up There with the Best of Them
Comment: If you plan to have only writing guide on your shelf, make it this one. I never would have imagined
that a book on writing could be a page turner, but On Writing Well is that rare how-to that is not
only informative, but also witty and amusing. Unlike many other books of its ilk, this one was not a
chore to complete. Of course, it's always easier to read the opinions of someone who believes what
you believe (simplify!) and who is so articulate at stating those beliefs.
As a professional
technical writer/editor, sometime copywriter, and compulsive reader, I'm always buying books that
offer the best tips and guidelines. This book has given me a "fix" that promises to last. I'm
keeping it close at hand because I plan to revisit its sage advice for as long as I'm writing.

Customer Rating:

Summary: A clear sentence is no accident!
Comment: "A clear sentence is no accident," booms William Zinsser as I drive to work. "Easy writing makes
hard reading, and hard writing makes easy reading." Buy the CD version of this book. The
principles of cutting your copy 50% will be drilled into you. Your colleagues will appreciate being
able to understand what you are trying to say.

Spend the money on this instead of some
horrid trash like "The Secret."

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

Showing page 9 of 34
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |