To actually reach their readers, writers should try to be clear and direct. So, all writing is really a “personal transaction” between the writer and reader. But all writing processes require vulnerability and tension, because all writers are trying to tell a basic truth that they’re holding inside. Zinsser starts the “Principles” section by admitting that every writer finds their own process: there’s no right or wrong way to put words on paper. The fundamentals of good writing never change because all writers have the same goal: “saying something that other people will want to read.” Zinsser organizes his book into four parts: “Principles,” “Methods,” “Forms,” and “Attitudes.” For instance, businesspeople can communicate more effectively with their teams, scientists can better explain their work, and elders can leave memoirs for their descendants. And everyone can benefit from improving their writing. These key elements are the same for everyone, regardless of their age, experience, or field. The best writers use clear and precise language, show warmth and personality, and work hard to entertain the reader. In On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction, journalist and writing professor William Zinsser argues that good writing boils down to a few essential principles.
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