shopping cart
Save up to 30% on our Staff Picks
Call us:  800-878-7323 HELP
McAfee SECURE helps keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams.
Original Essays | December 12, 2009

Alexander McCall Smith: IMG The Courage of Others



I have recently written a novel about life in England during the Second World War. I felt some concern before I tackled this theme — the War... Continue »
  1. $16.76 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

    La's Orchestra Saves the World

    Alexander McCall Smith

Ships free on qualified orders.
Add to Cart
$8.95
List price: $14.95
Used Trade Paper
Ships in 1 to 3 days
Add to Wishlist
Qty Store Section
1 Beaverton Reference- Writing Nonfiction

On Writing Well 30TH Anniversary Edition

by William Zinsser

On Writing Well 30TH Anniversary Edition Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

On Writing Well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity and the warmth of its style. It is a book for everybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get through the day, as almost everybody does in the age of e-mail and the Internet. Whether you want to write about people or places, science and technology, business, sports, the arts or about yourself in the increasingly popular memoir genre, On Writing Well offers you fundamental principles as well as the insights of a distinguished writer and teacher. With more than a million copies sole, this volume has stood the test of time and remains a valuable resource for writers and would-be writers.

Book News Annotation:

Zinsser (New School, New York; Columbia U. School of Journalism) presents an updated guide on how to apply the principles of writing, as addressed in classic texts such as The Elements of Style, to specific forms of nonfiction writing and journalism, including people, places, science, technology, history, medicine, business, education, sports, and the arts. The 30th anniversary edition contains a new introduction and a new chapter on writing a family history or a memoir. Academic but accessible to general readers interested in learning to write well. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Synopsis:

On Writing Well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity, and its warmth of style. It is a book for anybody who wants to learn how to write, whether about people or places, science and technology, business, sports, the arts, or about yourself. Its principles and insights have made it a cherished resource for several generations of writers and students.

This revised 30th anniversary edition contains a new introduction and a new chapter on how to write a family history or a memoir.

Synopsis:

A beloved classic, this definitive volume on the art of nonfiction writing celebrates its 30th anniversary. Revised seven times, it has stood the test of time and remains a valued resource for writers.

About the Author

William Zinsser is a writer, editor and teacher. He began his career with the New York Herald Tribune and has been a longtime contributor to leading magazines. His 17 books include Writing to Learn; Mitchell and Ruff; Spring Training; American Places; Easy to Remember: The Great American Songwriters and Their Songs; and most recently Writing About Your Life. During the 1970s he taught writing at Yale, where he was master of Branford College. He now teaches at the New School, in New York, his hometown, and at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!
Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
Neva Cavataio, February 13, 2009 (view all comments by Neva Cavataio)
I'm currently reading 'On Writing Well' by William Zinsser. It's really helping me learn how to line edit. It's written in a very personable, non-textbook style, so it's easy to read and very straight-forward. It's tailored to non-fiction writers, but all of the advice given applies to fiction writers as well. I highly recommend this book!
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
cl_klavon, June 10, 2008 (view all comments by cl_klavon)
I purchased this book for an English class in college, and it has become my official bible. The language is simple, crisp, concise, and a lot of fun to read--all contained in a very portable paperback format. Perfect for the avid reader/writer on the go. I would definitely recommend this for English classes at high school level and beyond.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(5 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
View all 2 comments

Product Details

ISBN:
9780060891541
Subtitle:
The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
Author:
Zinsser, William
Author:
by William Zinsser
Author:
Zinsser William K.
Publisher:
HarperCollins Publishers
Subject:
Writing Skills
Subject:
English language
Subject:
Rhetoric
Subject:
Report writing
Subject:
Exposition (rhetoric)
Edition Number:
30
Edition Description:
Anniversary
Publication Date:
May 2006
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
321
Dimensions:
7.98x5.34x.82 in. .58 lbs.

Other books you might like

  1. $9.95 Used Hardcover add to wish list

    A Writer's Coach: An Editor's Guide to Words That Work

    Jack R. Hart — Managing editor of The Oregonian newspaper
  2. $3.95 Used Trade Paper add to wish list

    The Elements of Style

    William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White
  3. $9.50 Used Trade Paper add to wish list
  4. $14.95 New Trade Paper add to wish list

    Writing the Memoir 2ND Edition

    Judith Barrington
  5. $6.95 Used Trade Paper add to wish list
  6. $24.95 New Hardcover add to wish list

Related Aisles

  • back to top

Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.