30 Years Later, Zinsser’s Book About Writing Still Inspires

“It’s called classic for a reason,” said Erika Diaz, a senior communication arts major from Napa Valley, CA, of William Zinsser’s On Writing Well. The book has been on shelves for thirty years, longer than the students reading it have been alive – but they agree that its advice remains relevant. “Anybody who’s gonna put a pen to a page should read it,” Diaz said.

On Writing Well certainly runs the gamut. “It’s about learning to deal with people,” said Steve Fletcher, a junior communication arts major from Maine, “which lends itself to journalists more than anyone else.” Zinsser speaks specifically to journalists in sections that map the anatomy of articles and interviews.

But all writers will benefit from Zinsser’s counsel to write clearly, concisely, and without exhaustingly polysyllabic words that only obfuscate the point – what Zinsser calls “clutter.” Diaz said the book transformed the way she approached writing – more specifically, revision.

“I dreaded cutting until now,” she said. Zinsser taught her that there’s freedom in leaving some material on the cutting room floor. Diaz felt these words of wisdom made her a stronger writer.

The book’s success comes down to two words: user friendly. Fletcher said it was the most readable book he’s been assigned in his college career, and Diaz compared it to a coffee shop conversation with a “grandfatherly figure… [who’s] sitting down and telling me everything I need to know about writing.”

“The person on the other side of the page had a passion,” said Fletcher. Zinsser’s subtle humor keeps the reader coming back for another lesson, and another and another. Fletcher felt that Zinsser wanted writers to infuse their writing with that same “human feel.”

On Writing Well is a fun and friendly classroom text. Diaz said, “I sold back all my books last year except for this one!”