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On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (On Writing Well) | 
 enlarge | Author: William K. Zinsser
Publisher: Collins
Category: Book
Buy New: $16.03
New (6) Used (11) from $12.78
Avg. Customer Rating:  155 reviews
Sales Rank: 153665
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Paperback
Edition: 30 Anv
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.3 x 0.9
Dewey Decimal Number: 808.042
ASIN: B0017ODW3A
Publication Date: May 1, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
Whether you write an occasional professional letter or a daily newspaper column, William Zinsser's On Writing Well should be required reading. Simplicity is Zinsser's mantra: he preaches a stripped-down writing style, strong and clear. He has no patience for excess (most use of adjectives and adverbs, he writes, just adds clutter) or tired phraseology (for instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving those "future archaeologists" most often found "stumbl[ing] upon the remains of our civilization"). He recommends that all writers of nonfiction read their work aloud (don't commit something to paper that you wouldn't actually say) and write under the assumption that "the reader knows nothing" (not to be confused with assuming the reader's an idiot). In addition to the chapters on the expected--usage, audience, interviews, leads--Zinsser also focuses on such trouble spots as science and technical writing, business writing, sports, and humor.
Product Description
On Writing Well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity and the warmth of its style. It is a book for everybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get through the day, as almost everybody does in the age of e-mail and the Internet. Whether you want to write about people or places, science and technology, business, sports, the arts or about yourself in the increasingly popular memoir genre, On Writing Well offers you fundamental priciples as well as the insights of a distinguished writer and teacher. With more than a million copies sole, this volume has stood the test of time and remains a valuable resource for writers and would-be writers.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 150 more reviews...
 An excellent writing guide September 24, 2008
I first purchased this product from Amazon for an English class at the local community college, and received it two weeks before class started. While some reviewers here have complained about the personal antecdotes, I found those to be the most helpful. Zinsser used his own real life examples on writing styles, as well as stressing how un-glamorous the writer's life actually is, especially if being a writer IS your day job. The book itself was suprisingly small, which worked out great for a student on the go, like myself. But for its deceptively small size, it is crammed full of helpful tips for the would-be writer. And though it is geared more towards the non-fiction writer, much of it could easily be geared toward the fiction writer as well. Now that I am working on my own writing project (for fun, and hopefully, for publishing), this book is becoming highly useful to me once more. This is a must read for any English or Journalism class (Speech students might find it useful as well).
 Good for a liberal arts major September 18, 2008
Zinsser's book is a good review of basic writing but lacks specifics for anything technical. Zinsser should have written two chapters on science writing--one as a novice and one from the vantage point of the obscure scientist. For the low price, it's difficult to complain too much about this book.
Tools for the Job September 11, 2008
This book on writing is a delight to read and as a bonus your writing skill improve.
"Nobody becomes Tom Wolfe overnight, not even Tom Wolfe."
So the ruse is up, you have to write, rewrite, edit, condense, and rewrite to make your work look effortless.
Zinsser gives you the tools to do it, and entertains too.
fun to read August 28, 2008
Do you remember your favorite teacher or professor? The one who made you want to learn the subject? This book is like that. It's entertaining. I couldn't put it down.
Zinsser has Style! July 23, 2008
Wow! On Writing Well The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction is a book that should be in every writers/authors library.
The book is easy to read and there is no clutter. As a reader, I want to get to know the author. William Zinsser definitely has a style I will not soon forget!Diabetes Can Be Sweet . . . Once You Bury It
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