Writing is an act of ego and we might as well just admit it, then use that to drive our writing forwards. If it should be pointed out, point it out.' 4 Style '“It is interesting to note.” If you might add, add it. Are you keeping something just because it feels nice and you like that you wrote it? Cut, cut, cut. Zinsser recommends that anywhere up to 50% of a first draft can be cut and that writers do so wherever possible. Utilise/use, sufficient/enough, implement/do. You’ll find a surprising number that don’t serve any purpose.' Pompous puff makes a writer feel important and smart (typically guilty are Academics and management consultants), but it blunts the truth of the statement. Good writing is lean writing - if a word doesn't need to be there, kick it out. When you are writing you must constantly ask yourself the question: 'what am I trying to say?' When you ask this you find out that, maybe, you don't know and that you need to figure that out before you start writing again. (I believe it works the opposite way, too.) If you are hoping to write clearly and concisely you must be able to think clearly and concisely. 'The secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components.' there must be something wrong with it!' and stuff some more words in there. It can also be tempting to think 'hey this sentence is too simple. This can make a writer feel important, but bore a reader to tears. Many are tempted to inflate their writing into extremely bloated sentences with long, complicated words. You must write with clarity and strength to keep the reader with you along the way. Good writing is alive and keeps the reader moving with eagerness through the piece you have written - gimmicks and 'added style' do nothing to help this. What's more, you are not trying to sell your subject, you are selling yourself. You must find your own rather than trying to ape someone else. In sum: there is no right way of doing things. In the day, at night, at length, in pieces, long pieces, short pieces, many pieces at a time.

It is unique to every different person who writes. He or she is still stuck with the same old job of saying something that other people will want to read.' Part 1 - Principles 1 The Transaction The essence of writing is rewriting - you won't get it right the first time round. it doesn't matter - all can be made or broken with the quality of the writing. Our modern world still depends on good writing to function well - poorly written articles, websites, tweets. For better or for worse, the act of writing has changed relatively little regardless of technological change in the last century.

On Writing Well by William Zinsser