William Zinsser once said, “The most important sentence in any article is the first one.” Though they’re the most vital part of a piece, hooks are often the most difficult to construct. Sometimes the task of constructing a proper lead is so tough, I just dive right into the material. That or begin with a stock template out of … Continue reading
William Zinsser, author of perennial classic “On Writing Well,” once argued the “mere serviceable is a drag.” Despite what stuffy academics and the literati might say, I completely agree: the primary goal of writing is entertainment. “What?” you might scoff in disbelief, “what about the nobler goals of information and persuasion, guidance and enlightenment?” Yes, as … Continue reading
“Clutter,” argued William Zinsser, “is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills and meaningless jargon…Our national tendency is to inflate and thereby sound important. The airline pilot who announces that he is presently anticipating experiencing considerable precipitation wouldn’t think of saying it may rain. The … Continue reading
The Blank-Faced Confidante 