Day 48 - On Writing Well by William Zinsser

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This is an excerpt from William Zinsser’s On Writing Well, a guide to clear and concise writing, first published in 1976. The excerpt focuses on several key themes that Zinsser explores in the full text. First, it emphasizes the importance of “the transaction” between the writer and the reader, arguing that effective communication requires a genuine connection and understanding. Zinsser advocates for clarity and simplicity in writing, arguing that “clutter” - unnecessary jargon, long words, and passive constructions - obscures meaning. He also discusses the importance of active verbs and the avoidance of adverbs, emphasizing the power of precise language.
Zinsser then touches on the critical role of trust in writing. He encourages writers to trust their material and to avoid excessive explanation or embellishment, suggesting that the reader deserves to be engaged with the truth of the subject matter. He further suggests that memoir and personal history are powerful forms of writing because they offer a direct and authentic connection to the reader.
The excerpt concludes with a brief exploration of the role of the editor in the writing process. Zinsser highlights the importance of objective editing, acknowledging the unique perspective an editor can bring to a piece of writing, while also cautioning against excessive interference with the author’s voice and vision. Ultimately, Zinsser suggests that writing is a deeply personal and individual act, and that writers should strive to express their own unique perspectives and truths.
The current work is thoughtfully grounded in the reading list curated by Josh Kaufman in his book The Personal MBA, which focuses on building a solid foundation in business knowledge. If you'd like to explore this further, you can find more details at the following link.
personalmba.co...