About this Book
Renowned psycholinguistic and cognitive scientist Steven Pinker advocates for a modern writer's guide suited to the present era. He holds an optimistic view of the English language, dismissing concerns about its deterioration and emphasizing its vitality. Pinker's guide aims to assist writers in expressing themselves effectively by illustrating coherence, compellingness, and clarity through pertinent examples. He provides personal lists of terms deemed either overly strict by traditional language guardians or essential to avoid misuse, including determinatives and genitives. While his in-depth discussions on style and sentence structures may be challenging for beginners, Pinker acknowledges that his book won't replace timeless manuals such as Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style."
2014
Self-Help
Words, Language & Grammar
13:27 Min
Conclusion
7 Key Points
Conclusion
Strive for excellent writing by keeping it simple, clear, and considerate of your readers. Learn from successful writers like Richard Dawkins and Dear Abby. Understand language, sentence structure, and grammar to make your writing powerful and engaging.
Abstract
Renowned psycholinguistic and cognitive scientist Steven Pinker advocates for a modern writer's guide suited to the present era. He holds an optimistic view of the English language, dismissing concerns about its deterioration and emphasizing its vitality. Pinker's guide aims to assist writers in expressing themselves effectively by illustrating coherence, compellingness, and clarity through pertinent examples. He provides personal lists of terms deemed either overly strict by traditional language guardians or essential to avoid misuse, including determinatives and genitives. While his in-depth discussions on style and sentence structures may be challenging for beginners, Pinker acknowledges that his book won't replace timeless manuals such as Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style."
Key Points
- Good writing clarity is crucial; avoid jargon and explain complex terms simply to engage readers effectively.
- Understand your audience's perspective to overcome the curse of knowledge and ensure clear communication.
- Master sentence structure to create coherence and prevent confusion in your writing.
- Use correct grammar and syntax to convey ideas clearly and effectively.
- Adopt acceptable language evolutions while being mindful of common usage pitfalls to maintain clarity and precision.
- Pay attention to punctuation to enhance readability and facilitate clear communication in your writing.
- Consistently apply principles of clarity, coherence, and effective communication to improve your writing skills in daily life.
Summary
Life imitates cinema
Great writers are avid readers. By immersing yourself in reading, you develop a keen sense of effective language, which is crucial for writing well. Treat the pursuit of writing excellence as a pleasurable journey of mastering a skill. Take inspiration from accomplished writers like Richard Dawkins and Abigail Van Buren (known as "Dear Abby"). They offer valuable lessons on how to improve your writing.
Like film directors and camera operators create captivating scenes, skilled writers paint vivid pictures with their words. They pay attention to how words sound and aren't afraid to use dictionaries when needed. They understand the power of showing rather than just telling. Good writers are passionate about their topics, and all these factors come together to shape their unique "sense of style."
When you write, you paint a vivid picture for your readers, allowing them to step into the world you've created. Using a classic style of writing, you neutrally present the facts, encouraging readers to engage with your ideas. This invites them to join you in exploring your world, fostering a sense of collaboration.
Styl
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