On Writing Well
"On Writing Well" by William Zinsser is a guide to writing nonfiction that emphasizes clarity, simplicity, and the importance of finding one's voice. Zinsser shares practical advice and techniques for improving writing skills, while also encouraging writers to express their thoughts authentically. The book serves as both a manual for aspiring writers and a reflection on the craft of writing itself.
19 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from On Writing Well, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.
You are the writer. You are the one who has to make the decision.
The secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components.
Good writing is about the audience.
There is no such thing as a perfect sentence.
The writer's job is to create the perfect world.
Writing is a process of discovery.
You have to write the book that wants to be written.
The most important word in writing is 'revision.'
The writer must have a strong point of view.
Writing is an act of discovery.
You are writing for yourself, but you are also writing for your readers.
There is no such thing as a good writer; there are only good rewriters.
The writer's job is to make the reader feel that they have been there.
You should always write with the reader in mind.
The most important thing is to keep your writing honest.
The writer's task is to make complicated things simple.