Chapter 1 : The Transaction
Summary
On the first chapter of “On Writing Well” by William Zinsser, it talks how the author himself and Dr.Brock speak about their own views on writing. Both writers have completely different mindsets of what writing is to them and how it is on their lives. Zinsser was more serious and inflexible of how a writer should be and he is very straight to the point. On the other hand, Dr.Brock was the exact opposite of the characteristics Zinsser spoke about. Dr.Brock was more free and lenient with his work. When the question “What do you do on days when it isn’t going well?” is asked to both of them Dr.Brock says that he would put off his work and relax. But Zinsser believes that a writer has to have a set schedule for his work and must stick to it. This chapter shows that there are no set components a writer requires, because you can be successful with many different methods.
Reflection
What I learned from chapter 1 was that you don’t have to have certain characteristics to be considered a good writer. It was proven when two amazing writers were asked a series of questions about the kind work they do and their mindsets. Their answers were completely opposite of each other. Both of them were opposing yet they both are considered great writers. I now know that being a good writer doesn’t mean you have to be serious all the time. You can be who you are and still be at the level or even higher than someone who is serious all the time. Any technique that you use that gives you the opportunity to carry out what you want to tell your readers is perfect and you should continue to do that. You do not have to change your ways just because someone else works another way. If it’s not broken, then don’t fix it.
Chapter 2 : Simplicity
Summary
This chapter states that one thing wrong with writing today is the complexity of the text. Writers feel as though they must make everything so complicated and hard to understand in order to make themselves feel and look more brilliant. Readers have to sometimes guess as to what the author is trying to imply because they think that they have missed something. They blame themselves thinking that it’s their fault that they don’t understand when it’s actually the author trying to be as complex as possible. You must make your sentences as simple as possible for readers to be able to not only understand but be able to enjoy it not having to guess what the author meant when he put a certain sentence. Simplicity is key, that is why the chapter is called simplicity.
Reflection
When the author stated that simplicity is the way to go, it kinda shocked me. I always thought that to showcase your skills as a writer and make people see you as professional is to use big words and hard to understand sentences. But when he said that you don’t need to be so complicated with what you say, I felt relieved in a way. I am not one to use huge words to explain things in my writing, so knowing that I don’t necessarily need to makes me more confident. I never thought to see writing in that kind of way before. You write for not only the readers but for yourself and if you ask yourself what you are trying to write and see what you wrote, it should be clear displayed. It shouldn’t be concealed with what may seem like a well written thought but really is just a long idea of nothing.
Chapter 3 : Clutter
Summary
When we write, we often use words that serve no purpose in the writing. In fact, if you were to check back on your writing, you’d see that there are many words that either do nothing for the sentence or just don’t belong. This is clutter, and it’s a very common mistake in writing. There really is no reason to clutter words, only to confuse those who are reading, which isn’t a good idea. “Clutter is the official language used by corporations to hide their mistakes” (Zinsser 15). All those useless words do is keep you from understanding what is being said in the text. If there is anyway that you can express your idea in a shorter format than cut it short. Venture through your writing and locate any clutter then eliminate it so there can be fewer possibilities to confuse whoever is reading it.
Reflection
Clutter is something that I am familiar with but hardly suffer from. This is because I am not one to put many confusing words in my sentences or words that don’t necessarily belong there. This chapter is very similar to chapter 2 in a way because chapter 2 talks about making your meaning more simple and easily understood. While chapter 3 talks about cutting out those ineffective words and not needing to make everything so complicated. This chapter also talks about clutter is a word push out for a shorter word that means the same thing. There’s no need to add any extra to something just to look professional or intelligent. Looking back to the chapter previous to this, simplicity is key, is exactly what we can use in this situation.
Chapter 4 : Style
Summary
To have style to your writing, one must take the writing, remove all extra content, then from there build it up. You have to relax and let yourself reveal in your writing, do no force it. Style is created by the individual and Zinsser says that editors could even throw out the first few pages or paragraphs to finally see the writer’s true feelings. That the first several paragraphs were actually nothing and were meaning less. Have faith in your opinions and who you are will be exposed. This is how to present your style in your writing. You have to be calm while writing. Writers are generally at their most native states when writing in first person, that may be the reason why your ideas may flow more smoothly and you’ll be able to clearly spot the style.
Reflection
Style has an important role in your reading because you don’t want to seem like just another robot writer. You want your personality to reflect upon your work. But for that to happen you have to know what exactly you are trying to say and then add your own personal touch to it. This is why first your sentences must be as basic and simple as possible. From there you develop the sentence into what you want it to be. Everyone has their own personalized style so don’t be afraid if your writing doesn’t come out the way another person’s comes out. It makes so much sense that for you to have a set style that you first start with something simple. This way you have your own special touch without the clutter and misunderstanding of the readers.
Chapter 5 : The Audience
Summary
It’s important for the writer to understand who they are writing for. Always remember you are writing for yourself and not for not a huge crowd of people. You can’t hold yourself to a standard that your work will only get published if it doesn’t have certain qualities. Make sure everything you are writing is what you want and not just what you think the author might publish. “You are writing for yourself. Don’t try to visualize the great mass audience.” (Zinsser 25) Aim for your own set standard do what you believe would make it better. If you decide that something belongs there, make the choice that you want it in there and not something you think might impress the editor or will entertain your audience. Your main reason for writing should be to please yourself, and the readers who enjoy it are the ones you are writing for.
Reflection
Usually when I write, it’s because I need a way to express several thoughts that having been going through my mind. This means that I don’t really write for an audience unless it’s an assignment. I never imagined that when writing I should mainly be writing for myself because when I get an assignment my main focus would be to please the readers or satisfy the teacher’s expectations. The audience can have a huge impact on the writer’s decisions because depending on whoever they are writing to can cause the writer to second guess themselves. But reading this chapter, the audience shouldn’t impact your decision more than what you feel is right.
Chapter 6 : Words
Summary
There are so many possibilities of word choice you can use in your writing, but you must be conscientious and use them purposely. Don’t fall custom of using “journalese” which is very common in magazines and newspapers. This is when someone mixes words of different parts of speech. They use adjectives as nous, nouns as verb, and things of that nature. You need to use dictionaries all the time as a reference. Also since writing is learned by imitation, you should study former writing masters so you can develop their writing technique and word choice. If you realize that your words seem to be familiar, Zinsser says that all you have to do is read them aloud.
Reflection
Of course words make up the text but word choice will decide the tone of the text. I know that journalese might not be a real thing but I completely understand what he is inferring. We read a lot of newspapers and magazines that continue to create their own words and don’t use proper English. You have to make sure you don’t get use to writing the way you speak because we don’t always speak properly. I know that a dictionary is one of the best you can use when writing. I you do not know a word’s definition or spelling, you can always refer back to the dictionary. This makes sure you know what words you are using and that you can use them correctly. Since writing is learned from imitation, you have to take notes on other’s writing and be distinctive on the words you choose.
Chapter 7 : Usage
Summary
This chapter specifically speaks about the word choice and how much influences the writing. The actual usage of your words will show what ideas you are trying to express to the readers. Certain words you use make readers think differently. Make sure that you use words that represent your thoughts accurately. To have good usage, you must use good words. That way you can voice your intentions. The outcome is the tone of the text, it can be set in many ways, that’s why you have to choose your words wisely. The usage is so important in how you want your text to come out like. Some words may seem like you are angry some may come off as if you are sad, it’s all about usage.
Reflection
This chapter builds off the previous chapter because the chapter before explained how important words are to the text. Now this chapter is explaining how the usage of those words is just as important if not more. The way you use the words will reveal the tone of the text. I definitely agree with the author when he says that to have good usage you must have good words. The is no point if you are using words that don’t belong or are useless to the text. But once you have words that are useful and effective, there are many opportunities for several types of usage. Zinsser points out how he and other writers were asked if some words that we use nowadays should be allowed. It’s very interesting to see their opinions on the topic. He asked if it is O.K to use O.K, and explained how it is just a “cute farmer talk. I’ve realized that many words we use today are actually not O.K to use and aren’t grammatically correct.
Summary
On the first chapter of “On Writing Well” by William Zinsser, it talks how the author himself and Dr.Brock speak about their own views on writing. Both writers have completely different mindsets of what writing is to them and how it is on their lives. Zinsser was more serious and inflexible of how a writer should be and he is very straight to the point. On the other hand, Dr.Brock was the exact opposite of the characteristics Zinsser spoke about. Dr.Brock was more free and lenient with his work. When the question “What do you do on days when it isn’t going well?” is asked to both of them Dr.Brock says that he would put off his work and relax. But Zinsser believes that a writer has to have a set schedule for his work and must stick to it. This chapter shows that there are no set components a writer requires, because you can be successful with many different methods.
Reflection
What I learned from chapter 1 was that you don’t have to have certain characteristics to be considered a good writer. It was proven when two amazing writers were asked a series of questions about the kind work they do and their mindsets. Their answers were completely opposite of each other. Both of them were opposing yet they both are considered great writers. I now know that being a good writer doesn’t mean you have to be serious all the time. You can be who you are and still be at the level or even higher than someone who is serious all the time. Any technique that you use that gives you the opportunity to carry out what you want to tell your readers is perfect and you should continue to do that. You do not have to change your ways just because someone else works another way. If it’s not broken, then don’t fix it.
Chapter 2 : Simplicity
Summary
This chapter states that one thing wrong with writing today is the complexity of the text. Writers feel as though they must make everything so complicated and hard to understand in order to make themselves feel and look more brilliant. Readers have to sometimes guess as to what the author is trying to imply because they think that they have missed something. They blame themselves thinking that it’s their fault that they don’t understand when it’s actually the author trying to be as complex as possible. You must make your sentences as simple as possible for readers to be able to not only understand but be able to enjoy it not having to guess what the author meant when he put a certain sentence. Simplicity is key, that is why the chapter is called simplicity.
Reflection
When the author stated that simplicity is the way to go, it kinda shocked me. I always thought that to showcase your skills as a writer and make people see you as professional is to use big words and hard to understand sentences. But when he said that you don’t need to be so complicated with what you say, I felt relieved in a way. I am not one to use huge words to explain things in my writing, so knowing that I don’t necessarily need to makes me more confident. I never thought to see writing in that kind of way before. You write for not only the readers but for yourself and if you ask yourself what you are trying to write and see what you wrote, it should be clear displayed. It shouldn’t be concealed with what may seem like a well written thought but really is just a long idea of nothing.
Chapter 3 : Clutter
Summary
When we write, we often use words that serve no purpose in the writing. In fact, if you were to check back on your writing, you’d see that there are many words that either do nothing for the sentence or just don’t belong. This is clutter, and it’s a very common mistake in writing. There really is no reason to clutter words, only to confuse those who are reading, which isn’t a good idea. “Clutter is the official language used by corporations to hide their mistakes” (Zinsser 15). All those useless words do is keep you from understanding what is being said in the text. If there is anyway that you can express your idea in a shorter format than cut it short. Venture through your writing and locate any clutter then eliminate it so there can be fewer possibilities to confuse whoever is reading it.
Reflection
Clutter is something that I am familiar with but hardly suffer from. This is because I am not one to put many confusing words in my sentences or words that don’t necessarily belong there. This chapter is very similar to chapter 2 in a way because chapter 2 talks about making your meaning more simple and easily understood. While chapter 3 talks about cutting out those ineffective words and not needing to make everything so complicated. This chapter also talks about clutter is a word push out for a shorter word that means the same thing. There’s no need to add any extra to something just to look professional or intelligent. Looking back to the chapter previous to this, simplicity is key, is exactly what we can use in this situation.
Chapter 4 : Style
Summary
To have style to your writing, one must take the writing, remove all extra content, then from there build it up. You have to relax and let yourself reveal in your writing, do no force it. Style is created by the individual and Zinsser says that editors could even throw out the first few pages or paragraphs to finally see the writer’s true feelings. That the first several paragraphs were actually nothing and were meaning less. Have faith in your opinions and who you are will be exposed. This is how to present your style in your writing. You have to be calm while writing. Writers are generally at their most native states when writing in first person, that may be the reason why your ideas may flow more smoothly and you’ll be able to clearly spot the style.
Reflection
Style has an important role in your reading because you don’t want to seem like just another robot writer. You want your personality to reflect upon your work. But for that to happen you have to know what exactly you are trying to say and then add your own personal touch to it. This is why first your sentences must be as basic and simple as possible. From there you develop the sentence into what you want it to be. Everyone has their own personalized style so don’t be afraid if your writing doesn’t come out the way another person’s comes out. It makes so much sense that for you to have a set style that you first start with something simple. This way you have your own special touch without the clutter and misunderstanding of the readers.
Chapter 5 : The Audience
Summary
It’s important for the writer to understand who they are writing for. Always remember you are writing for yourself and not for not a huge crowd of people. You can’t hold yourself to a standard that your work will only get published if it doesn’t have certain qualities. Make sure everything you are writing is what you want and not just what you think the author might publish. “You are writing for yourself. Don’t try to visualize the great mass audience.” (Zinsser 25) Aim for your own set standard do what you believe would make it better. If you decide that something belongs there, make the choice that you want it in there and not something you think might impress the editor or will entertain your audience. Your main reason for writing should be to please yourself, and the readers who enjoy it are the ones you are writing for.
Reflection
Usually when I write, it’s because I need a way to express several thoughts that having been going through my mind. This means that I don’t really write for an audience unless it’s an assignment. I never imagined that when writing I should mainly be writing for myself because when I get an assignment my main focus would be to please the readers or satisfy the teacher’s expectations. The audience can have a huge impact on the writer’s decisions because depending on whoever they are writing to can cause the writer to second guess themselves. But reading this chapter, the audience shouldn’t impact your decision more than what you feel is right.
Chapter 6 : Words
Summary
There are so many possibilities of word choice you can use in your writing, but you must be conscientious and use them purposely. Don’t fall custom of using “journalese” which is very common in magazines and newspapers. This is when someone mixes words of different parts of speech. They use adjectives as nous, nouns as verb, and things of that nature. You need to use dictionaries all the time as a reference. Also since writing is learned by imitation, you should study former writing masters so you can develop their writing technique and word choice. If you realize that your words seem to be familiar, Zinsser says that all you have to do is read them aloud.
Reflection
Of course words make up the text but word choice will decide the tone of the text. I know that journalese might not be a real thing but I completely understand what he is inferring. We read a lot of newspapers and magazines that continue to create their own words and don’t use proper English. You have to make sure you don’t get use to writing the way you speak because we don’t always speak properly. I know that a dictionary is one of the best you can use when writing. I you do not know a word’s definition or spelling, you can always refer back to the dictionary. This makes sure you know what words you are using and that you can use them correctly. Since writing is learned from imitation, you have to take notes on other’s writing and be distinctive on the words you choose.
Chapter 7 : Usage
Summary
This chapter specifically speaks about the word choice and how much influences the writing. The actual usage of your words will show what ideas you are trying to express to the readers. Certain words you use make readers think differently. Make sure that you use words that represent your thoughts accurately. To have good usage, you must use good words. That way you can voice your intentions. The outcome is the tone of the text, it can be set in many ways, that’s why you have to choose your words wisely. The usage is so important in how you want your text to come out like. Some words may seem like you are angry some may come off as if you are sad, it’s all about usage.
Reflection
This chapter builds off the previous chapter because the chapter before explained how important words are to the text. Now this chapter is explaining how the usage of those words is just as important if not more. The way you use the words will reveal the tone of the text. I definitely agree with the author when he says that to have good usage you must have good words. The is no point if you are using words that don’t belong or are useless to the text. But once you have words that are useful and effective, there are many opportunities for several types of usage. Zinsser points out how he and other writers were asked if some words that we use nowadays should be allowed. It’s very interesting to see their opinions on the topic. He asked if it is O.K to use O.K, and explained how it is just a “cute farmer talk. I’ve realized that many words we use today are actually not O.K to use and aren’t grammatically correct.