On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

I. Principles
A. The Transactions
1. Dr. Brock vs. William Zinsser
a) For Dr. Brock writing is easy and fun, words flow easily and
time is not a concern. However for William Zinsser writing is
not a craft, but a job; a hard arduous job.
2. Writing is different for everyone but ultimately the product for every
writer is not to engage the reader about the subject, but how you feel
about it.
3. Good writing uses the English language to achieve the greatest clarity
and strength.
a) Good writing might be impossible to teach, but it most
definitely can be learned.
B. Simplicity
1. Who says that if a sentence is too simple- there must be something
wrong with it?
a) The secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its core
b) Eliminate every unnecessary word and simply state what you
want to say
2. Very few sentences come out right the first or second time, so keep
trying
C. Clutter
3. Every small detail is important
a. If a word serves no purpose- take it out
4. Clutter is used to hide mistakes in life
a. If there is an easier way to say something then write it
5. Simplify, Simplify
D. Style
1. First you have to make your writing perfect and correct before you can
start to add your own flare
2. Be yourself
a. You must relax and have confidence
3. Use “I”
a. Don’t be afraid to reveal who you truly are
b. Good writers are visible just behind their words
E. The Audience
1. You are writing for yourself
a) Don’t write anything you would never say in a conversation
2. People will enjoy our writing no matter what, if you are…
a) Clear
b) Simple
c) And don’t think about the reader
i. Writing from your heart gives the piece a sense of
warmth and humanity
F. Words
1. Don’t use clichés, made up words or words that will fade within a year
a) Always have a thesaurus at hand
 i. A word at the tip of your tongue should be at the tip of
your pencil
2. Consideration of sound and rhythm should go into everything you write
a) Somebody out there is listening
3. Words are the only tools you got, use them wisely
G. Usage
1. What words are okay to use?
a) Some words that enter the language overnight, leave just as fast
i. This leaves the writing as a onetime read
2. Apply the “test of convenience”
a) Does the word fill a real need?
3. Make sure to use the word in the correct way
a) Incorrect usage will lose you reader you would most likely win
II. Methods
H. Unity
1. Building Block of writing
a) Keeps readers from being pulled in many directions
2. Three different unities
a) Unity of pronoun
i. Are you writing from first, second or third person
b) Unity of tense
i. You can choose to write in the past, present or future.
Just remember not to switch back and forth
c) Unity of mood
i. Any tone of voice is fine just don’t mix them
3. To remain on target and strong, think small, write it and stop
a) Don’t wander into uncharted territory
I. The lead and ending
1. The lead
a) Must capture the reader immediately and force him to keep
reading
b) Provide hard details that tell why the piece was written
c) Every paragraph should amplify the one before it
2. Ending
a) Once you made your point and your piece
i. Don’t trudge on and lose the reader
J. Bits and Pieces
1. Verbs
a) Active verbs are short and precise
b) Verbs carry imagery and sound, choose carefully
2. Adverbs
a) Use wisely- can ruin a verb
3. Adjectives
a) Don’t add unless necessary
b) Don’t be kind of bold. Be bold
4. Period
a) Don’t write a long sentence unless you are a genius, reader will
get lost.
5. Exclamation point
a) Gives a certain, knock you off your feet effect
 6. Dash
a) Justify what you said in the first part of the sentence
b) Explain in detail what would have otherwise required another
sentence
7. Colon
a) Used to list items
8. Contractions
a) Go with the flow, if they fit use it
9. Quick fix
a) If a sentence is giving you trouble, remove it
10. Sexism
a) Try to change the sentence around
i. Go plural
ii. Use “or”
iii. Use “we” “you” “our” “theirs”
11. Rewriting
a) Everything can be made better
b) Don’t be afraid to delete
III. Forms
K. Nonfiction as literature
1. As our country evolved nonfiction has become increasingly important
2. Nonfiction is not classified as journalism
L. Writing about people
1. A persons words animate writing
2. The interview
a) Choose a person who is important in their field
b) Be prepared
c) Create a shorthand
d) Your lead should introduce the person and why they are
important
M. Writing about place
1. Not everything you did on a trip will fascinate the reader
2. Know the place you write about
N. Writing about yourself
1. Write with your five senses; open a window to your life
O. Science and technology
1. Start narrow
2. Learn about what you are writing to the deepest core
P. Business writing
1. Be clear, simple, brief and humane
2. “I” is the most interesting part of the story
Q. Sports
1. Write in plain English
a) Clichés are not required
b) Don’t get carried away with numbers
c) Observe closely and interview
R. Humor
1. Use comical devices to disguise a serious point
2. Don’t use comical names
3. Don’t make the same joke twice
 4. Don’t strain for laughs; must be built on surprise
IV. Attitudes
S. The sound of your voice
1. Don’t alter your voice
a) Develop a voice readers will recognize
2. Don’t talk down to readers
3. Embrace your own history and heritage
T. The tyranny of the final product
1. What are your intentions?
2. Tell a story in the form of a quest
U. A writer’s decision
1. Decide what you want to write and how you want to organize it
2. Take chances
V. Writing family history and memoir
1. Say what you want to say freely
a) Worry about privacy later
2. Look for small vivid memories
W. Write as well as you can
1. Enough said