On Writing Well

By William Zinsser

Categories: Reference

William Zinsser's guide to writing nonfiction grew out of the workshop he taught at Yale in the 1970s. First published in 1976, it has been revised and expanded in many later editions. Zinsser's central advice is simplicity: cut clutter, unnecessary words and jargon, because clear thinking produces clear writing. Later chapters apply these principles to interviews, technical and business writing, sports and humor, and discuss a writer's attitudes toward language and craft.

Recommended by 5 people

• Tim Ferriss
• Matt Mullenweg
• Derek Sivers
• David Heinemeier Hansson: “If you consider programming to be a subset of writing, and I certainly do, then you would also do well to read Elements of Style and On Writing Well.”
• Jason Fried: “On Writing Well is an incredible book.”