Book Notes-1 Writing well
On Writing Well 30th Anniversary Edition • Sermon • Submitted
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Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Transaction
away from his craft because he lacks inspiration is fooling himself.
I said that writing is a craft, not an art, and that the man who runs away from his craft because he lacks inspiration is fooling himself.
What holds me is the enthusiasm of the writer for his field. How was he drawn into it? What emotional baggage did he bring along? How did it change his life?
This is the personal transaction that’s at the heart of good nonfiction writing. Out of it come two of the most important qualities that this book will go in search of: humanity and warmth. Good writing has an aliveness that keeps the reader reading from one paragraph to the next, and it’s not a question of gimmicks to “personalize” the author.
Simplicity
The secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components.
Clear thinking becomes clear writing; one can’t exist without the other.
With each rewrite I try to make what I have written tighter, stronger and more precise, eliminating. Then go over it once more, reading it aloud, and you will be amazed at how much clutter can still be cut.
every element that’s not doing useful work. Then I go over it once more, reading it aloud, and am always
Clutter
every element that’s not doing useful work. Then I go over it once more, reading it aloud, and am always
every element that’s not doing useful work. Then I go over it once more, reading it aloud, and am always
Are you hanging on to something useless just because you think it’s beautiful? Simplify, simplify
amazed at how much clutter can still be cut
amazed at how much clutter can still be cut
amazed at how much clutter can still be cut
Style
Readers want the person who is talking to them to sound genuine. Therefore a fundamental rule is: be yourself.
I urge people to write in the first person: to use “I” and “me” and “we” and “us.”
Believe in your own identity and your own opinions. Writing is an act of ego, and you might as well admit it. Use its energy to keep yourself going.
The Audience