Clutter is the disease of American writing.
Interpretation
Clutter in writing obscures clarity and effectiveness. Good writing is concise and clear.
William Zinsser's quote underscores the importance of clarity in writing by suggesting that excessive clutter—be it unnecessary words, jargon, or convoluted sentence structures—detracts from the effectiveness of communication. Emphasizing simplicity and directness, Zinsser advocates for a writing style that engages the reader and conveys ideas with precision, which is essential for effective writing, especially in American literary traditions.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a writing workshop to emphasize good practices.
Writing is hard work. A clear sentence is no accident. Very few sentences come out right the first time, or even the third time. Remember this in moments of despair. If you find that writing is hard, it's because it is hard. It's one of the hardest things that people do
Never hesitate to imitate another writer. Imitation is part of the creative process for anyone learning an art or a craft. Bach and Picasso didn't spring full-blown as Bach or Picasso; they needed models. This is especially true of writing.
Good writing is lean and confident.
My four articles of faith: clarity, simplicity, brevity and humanity.
I have no interest in teaching writers how to sell. I want to teach them how to write. If the process is sound, the product will take care of itself, and sales are likely to follow.
Don't hedge your prose with little timidities. Good writing is lean and confident. . . . Every little qualifier whittles away some fraction of the reader's trust. Readers want a writer who believes in himself and in what he is saying. Don't diminish that belief. Don't be kind of bold. Be bold.
A child needs freedom within limits.
Research shows that children do better in school and are less likely to drop out when fathers are involved. Engaged parents can strengthen communities, mentor and tutor students, and demonstrate through their actions how much they value their children's education.
School is about learning to wait your turn, however long it takes to come, if ever. And how to submit with a show of enthusiasm to the judgment of strangers, even if they are wrong, even if your enthusiasm is phony.
As more men become more educated and women get educated, the value system has to be more enhanced and the respect for human dignity and human life is made better.
I'm not into politics but I am committed to a cause: ensuring design technology and engineering stays on the U.K. curriculum, alongside science and maths - grounding abstract theory, merging the practical with the academic.
Man's mind is not a container to be filled but rather a fire to be kindled.
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