Writing
Every piece of writing offers the reader a deal. In return for their time and attention, they receive some sort of value.
Doug Kessler • How to Write Clearly
To be brief on the sentence-level, remove words that don’t add necessary context. Extra words cause readers to slow down and do extra work. That makes it harder for them to recognize the sentence’s point. And when you exhaust readers, they quit reading.
Julian Shapiro • Writing Well - Part 3 - Rewriting and Editing
All writing is ultimately a question of solving a problem.
William Zinsser • On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
Editing is easier when you know the patterns_
When it comes to essay writing, the idea of “patterns over process,” is just as relevant.
Tootzi instilled a philosophy of “all that exists is the artifact that’s on the table.” It doesn’t matter if your ideas come from your mind, your heart, your soul, your belly button, the tops of mountains, a bottle... See more
When it comes to essay writing, the idea of “patterns over process,” is just as relevant.
Tootzi instilled a philosophy of “all that exists is the artifact that’s on the table.” It doesn’t matter if your ideas come from your mind, your heart, your soul, your belly button, the tops of mountains, a bottle... See more
Michael Dean • The Secret Architecture of Great Essays
Be grateful for everything you can throw away. Reexamine each sentence you put on paper. Is every word doing new work?
William Zinsser • On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
If you’re not sure what a word means, don’t use it. If you’re struggling to structure a sentence, break it up. Simple writing is easy for you, as well as your reader.
Doug Kessler • How to Write Clearly
Turn your notes into a rough draft. Don’t simply copy your notes into a manuscript. Translate them into something coherent and embed them into the context of your argument
Sönke Ahrens • How to Take Smart Notes: One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking
Examine every word you put on paper. You’ll find a surprising number that don’t serve any purpose.