重点摘要
1. 写作要清晰、简洁、明了
杂乱是美国写作的病症。
清晰至上。 好的写作应当清晰、简单、简洁。避免不必要的词语、浮夸的语言和复杂的句子。相反，专注于以最直接的方式表达你的想法。使用主动动词、具体名词和短句来有效传达你的信息。
简洁是力量。 将你的写作简化到基本组成部分。消除行话、陈词滥调和不必要的修饰语。选择精确且富有表现力的词语。记住，好的写作并不意味着使用大词或复杂的结构，而是清晰高效地传达你的想法。
简洁是一种美德。 无情地删去任何没有明确目的的词语、句子或段落。问问自己：这些信息是否增加了价值？有没有更简单的方式表达这个想法？我能用更少的词语说清楚吗？通过简洁，你尊重读者的时间，使你的写作更具吸引力和影响力。
2. 发展独特的写作声音和风格
作为作家，你的商品，无论我写什么，都是我自己。而你的商品是你自己。
找到真实的声音。 你的写作应当反映你的个性和独特视角。不要试图模仿其他作家或采用不自然的风格。相反，专注于发展真正属于你的声音。这种真实性会使你的写作更具吸引力和记忆点。
培养你的风格。 虽然清晰和简洁很重要，但不要害怕发展独特的风格。这可能包括：
- 标志性短语或表达方式
- 句子的特定节奏或韵律
- 独特的段落或文章结构
- 一致的语调（如幽默、权威、对话式）
广泛阅读并进行尝试。 为了发展你的声音和风格，阅读各种作家和体裁。注意什么引起你的共鸣以及为什么。然后，在自己的写作中尝试不同的技巧。随着时间的推移，你会发现最适合你的方法和最真实的声音。
3. 掌握重写和编辑的技巧
重写是写作好的本质：这是胜负的关键。
初稿从不完美。 接受你的初稿可能会粗糙和不完美。真正的工作在于重写过程。这是你完善想法、改进语言和打磨文笔的地方。
精确编辑。 在重写时，专注于：
- 澄清你的主要观点
- 改善论点的流畅性和逻辑性
- 消除冗余和不必要的词语
- 强化动词并优化词语选择
- 通过变化句子结构来改善节奏
大声朗读并寻求反馈。 大声朗读你的作品可以帮助你发现尴尬的措辞、重复和节奏问题。此外，不要犹豫，向可信的读者寻求反馈。新鲜的眼睛往往能发现你因熟悉而忽略的问题。
4. 组织写作以达到最大效果
非小说写作中最少教和最被低估的技能之一是如何组织一篇长文章：如何拼凑拼图。
写作前先计划。 在开始写作之前，花时间列出你的主要观点并决定最有效的结构。这可能包括：
- 叙事作品的时间顺序
- 分析文章的问题-解决结构
- 复杂主题的主题组织
使用强有力的开头和结尾。 创作引人注目的开头，吸引读者的注意力并提供接下来内容的路线图。同样，以强有力的结论结束你的作品，强化你的主要观点并留下深刻印象。
创造逻辑流。 确保你的想法自然地从一个过渡到下一个。使用过渡短语和句子引导读者通过你的论点或叙述。每个段落应建立在前一个段落的基础上，并顺利引导到下一个。
5. 拥抱采访和写人艺术
让人们开口说话。学会提问，激发他们谈论生活中最有趣或生动的部分。
充分准备。 在采访之前，研究你的对象并准备一份深思熟虑的问题清单。然而，如果对话变得有趣，准备好偏离你的脚本。
积极倾听。 密切关注你的对象所说的内容，寻找机会提出后续问题。通常，最有趣的细节来自这些自发的时刻。
捕捉本质。 在写人时，努力传达他们的个性、举止和独特的声音。使用具体细节和直接引用使你的对象在页面上栩栩如生。
6. 创作引人入胜的非小说叙事
没有人比刚从旅行回来的旅行者更快变得无聊。他如此享受他的旅行，以至于想告诉我们所有的事情——而“所有”正是我们不想听的。我们只想听一些。
专注于故事。 即使在非小说中，叙事技巧也能使你的写作更具吸引力。在你的主题中寻找故事，并使用角色、冲突和解决等元素来构建你的作品。
选择性地取舍。 不要试图包括你收集的每一个细节或事实。选择最相关和有趣的信息，支持你的主要观点或推进你的叙述。
展示而非讲述。 使用生动的描述和具体的例子来说明你的观点。与其简单地陈述事实，不如通过轶事、感官细节和具体形象使它们栩栩如生。
7. 在写作过程中找到乐趣和信心
如果在写作过程中有什么让我觉得有趣，我会把它加进去，只是为了取悦自己。如果我觉得有趣，我假设其他一些人也会觉得有趣，这对我来说就是一天的好工作。
首先为自己写作。 享受写作的过程，让你的热情闪耀。如果你觉得你的主题有趣，你的读者也很可能会觉得有趣。
拥抱你的独特视角。 记住，你的个人经历和观点使你的写作有价值。不要害怕在你的作品中注入你的个性。
克服恐惧和自我怀疑。 写作可能令人望而生畏，但不要让恐惧瘫痪你。开始写作，即使你觉得自己还没准备好。写作本身往往会产生信心和清晰度。
8. 以诚实和同情心写家庭历史和回忆录
不要用你的回忆录来发泄旧怨和解决旧账；在别处发泄你的愤怒。
真实但善良。 在写家庭或个人历史时，努力做到诚实，但避免将你的写作作为武器。专注于理解和同情，而不是责备或怨恨。
保存声音和记忆。 捕捉家庭成员的独特声音和视角。包括具体的轶事、说法和细节，使你的家庭历史栩栩如生。
将个人故事置于背景中。 将你的家庭经历置于他们所处的更广泛的历史和文化背景中。这可以为你的叙述增加深度和相关性。
最后更新日期:
FAQ
What's On Writing Well about?
- Focus on Nonfiction: On Writing Well by William Zinsser is a guide dedicated to the craft of writing nonfiction, emphasizing clarity and simplicity.
- Practical Advice: It offers practical tips on style, audience awareness, and word usage, drawing from Zinsser's experiences as a writer and teacher.
- Encouragement for Writers: The book encourages writers to find their unique voice and write about what they know and care about, rooted in personal experience and authenticity.
Why should I read On Writing Well?
- Timeless Principles: The book provides timeless principles applicable to all forms of nonfiction writing, valuable for both novice and experienced writers.
- Improvement in Writing Skills: Readers can significantly improve their writing skills by following Zinsser’s advice on clarity, simplicity, and rewriting.
- Inspiration and Motivation: Zinsser’s engaging style and personal anecdotes inspire readers to embrace their writing journey and develop their skills over time.
What are the key takeaways of On Writing Well?
- Simplicity is Key: Zinsser stresses the importance of stripping sentences to their cleanest components to enhance clarity.
- Rewriting is Essential: He emphasizes that rewriting is crucial for refining work and should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a chore.
- Know Your Audience: Understanding your audience is vital, but Zinsser advises writing primarily for oneself to naturally resonate with like-minded readers.
How does William Zinsser define good writing?
- Clear and Concise: Good writing is "clear thinking made visible," reflecting clarity in thought.
- Engaging and Human: It should have humanity and warmth, making it relatable to readers, with the writer’s personality shining through.
- Well-Structured: Good writing is well-structured, with a logical flow that maintains reader engagement.
What specific methods does Zinsser recommend for improving writing?
- Active Voice Usage: Use active verbs to create stronger, more engaging sentences, avoiding passive constructions when possible.
- Clarity and Precision: Examine every word to ensure it serves a purpose, eliminating clutter to enhance writing quality.
- Short Paragraphs: Keep paragraphs short to make writing visually appealing and easier to read, adding "air" around the text.
What role does revision play in On Writing Well?
- Crucial for Quality: Revision is essential for producing quality writing, allowing writers to refine thoughts and improve clarity.
- Multiple Drafts: Zinsser encourages producing multiple drafts, viewing the first draft as just the starting point.
- Feedback and Editing: Seeking feedback and being open to editing can lead to significant improvements in the final product.
How does Zinsser suggest handling the writing process?
- Establish a Routine: Treat writing as a job requiring discipline, with a daily writing schedule to build confidence and skill.
- Embrace Rewriting: View rewriting as a positive opportunity for improvement, with every writer being a rewriter.
- Stay True to Yourself: Be authentic and write in your own voice, reflecting your personality and experiences.
What are some common pitfalls in writing that Zinsser warns against?
- Cluttered Language: Avoid unnecessary words, circular constructions, and meaningless jargon that detract from the message.
- Overuse of Adverbs and Adjectives: Most adverbs are unnecessary; strive for strong verbs and nouns that convey meaning without embellishment.
- Fear of Writing: Overcome the fear of writing by trusting your material and building confidence in your abilities.
How does Zinsser suggest writers find their voice?
- Read Widely: Exposure to different styles and voices through reading can help writers discover their own voice.
- Write Regularly: Consistent practice helps develop a unique voice over time, with writing being a skill honed by doing.
- Embrace Personal Experiences: Drawing from personal experiences and emotions adds authenticity and helps shape a writer's voice.
What role does the audience play in writing, according to Zinsser?
- Write for Yourself: Primarily write for yourself, as authenticity will resonate with readers who share similar interests.
- Understand Reader Expectations: Balance personal expression with reader engagement by considering what might interest readers.
- Avoid Overthinking the Audience: Don’t guess what the audience wants, as this can stifle creativity; genuine writing attracts the right audience.
What are some memorable quotes from On Writing Well and what do they mean?
- “Writing is hard work.”: Emphasizes that writing requires dedication and effort, dispelling the myth of effortless good writing.
- “Clutter is the disease of American writing.”: Highlights the prevalence of unnecessary complexity, advocating for simplicity and clarity.
- “Rewriting is the essence of writing well.”: Underscores the importance of revision in crafting quality writing, encouraging writers to embrace it.
How can I apply Zinsser’s principles to my own writing?
- Practice Regularly: Develop skills by writing consistently, as learning to write comes from the act of writing itself.
- Revise Ruthlessly: Be willing to cut unnecessary words and refine sentences, pruning clutter ruthlessly.
- Seek Feedback: Share writing with others for perspective and constructive criticism, helping identify areas for improvement.
评论
《写作的艺术》因其对非虚构写作的清晰、实用建议而广受好评。读者们欣赏津瑟对简洁、清晰和修订的重视。许多人觉得他的对话语气引人入胜，例子也很有帮助。一些人批评书中的参考资料过时，偶尔缺乏包容性。尽管有些章节被认为比其他章节更有用，许多读者仍然推荐它作为写作的必备指南，特别是对于非虚构写作的新手。然而，少数评论者认为这本书内容重复，或不同意津瑟的规定性方法。
Similar Books
