Noise is the typographical error and the poorly designed page...Ambiguity is noise. Redundancy is noise. Misuse of words is noise. Vagueness is noise. Jargon is noise.
Interpretation
Noise refers to unclear or unnecessary elements that hinder effective communication.
In this quote, William Zinsser emphasizes that various forms of unclear or excessive language—such as ambiguity, redundancy, and jargon—serve as barriers to clear and effective communication. He suggests that such 'noise' detracts from the message's clarity and can confuse the audience, thereby highlighting the importance of concise and precise language.
In practice
In a writing workshop focused on clarity, this quote can remind participants to eliminate unnecessary jargon.
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.
The competitions between fiction and nonfiction, short and long, electronic and paper, are not battles in which there can be only one victor. After all, we exist in a world where more kinds of writing than ever are greeted with interest and enthusiasm.
What you have been taught by listening to others' words you will forget very quickly; what you have learned with your whole body you will remember for the rest of your life.
The most valuable book we can read, about countries we have visited, is that which recalls to us something that we did notice, but did not notice that we noticed.
Because I don't have to be careful of people's feelings when I teach literature, and I do when I'm teaching writing.
When we grew up and went to school_x000D_ There were certain teachers who would_x000D_ Hurt the children any way they could_x000D_ By pouring their derision_x000D_ Upon anything we did_x000D_ Exposing every weakness_x000D_ However carefully hidden by the kids.
My main hope is eventually, in modern education field, introduce education about warm-heartedness, not based on religion, but based on common experience and a common sort of sense, and then scientific finding.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.