I give this book to everyone. Tufte works through hundreds of syntax patterns and their effects on the reader, using real examples drawn from every type of writing imaginable.
This book is a fucking joy. https://t.co/3t797GQsYw
Such considerations of sound and rhythm should go into everything you write. If all your sentences move at the same plodding gait, which even you recognize as deadly but don’t know how to cure, read them aloud. (I write entirely by ear and read everything aloud before letting it go out into the world.) You’ll begin to hear where the trouble lies. S
... See moreWilliam Zinsser • On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
What separates writing that is fun, easy to read, even musical, is writing that alternates rhythms—fast vs slow, quick vs descriptive, etc. The more your writing alternates between opposites, the more movement it has, and the more the reader feels like they are being taken on a journey (opposed to hacking their way through a textbook).
ship30for30.com • How to Start Writing Online: The Ship 30 for 30 Ultimate Guide
People naturally remember musical language, and I would encourage writers to inject their prose with a bit of music. When you’re writing, think about repetition and variety. Crescendos and rests. Pace and punctuation. Read your work out loud, and feel the rhythm of the words in your voice.
Derek Thompson • Why Simple Is Smart
So write with a combination of short, medium, and long sentences. Create a sound that pleases the reader’s ear. Don’t just write words. Write music.
Gary Provost, 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing
Chris Meyer • 12 Writing Tips That Make You a Better Writer
