In an age where most products are consistently updated for our convenience, there stands a book that has withheld in our age of renewal. William Zinsser’s On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Non-Fiction is celebrating its 30th Anniversary, and it is still being used as a guidebook for writers.
Today, On Writing Well is being read at Gordon College to help young writers. Alyssa Baxter, `11, a Communication Arts Major from Vernon, NJ, said,” It has helped me remove the clutter from my writing and always look for the human element in any story.” When asked what she found to be Zinsser’s most helpful tip to college students, Baxter replied,” “When writing, to remember that you’re dealing with another person’s dignity and honor as well as your own. “
On Writing Well may have good tips for writers, but the question remains is it as relevant today as it was 30 years ago? Baxter said, “Yes, I think it is still relevant. The same concepts are still applied to writing today. Good writing is good writing.”
Abigail Solberg, a junior and Design Major at Gordon College has positive feedback for On Writing Well. Solberg said, “I think his guidelines on how to interview are helpful. He gives the tools you need to write for any story in any genre. That is why the book has lasted for so long.”
Both Baxter and Solberg were asked if they would recommend the book to other writers. Baxter said, “Absolutely.” And Solberg replied, “Yes. Zinsser gives you all of the easy tips that you wouldn’t think about, he says in Chapter 12 of On Writing Well, ‘You’d be surprised how many writers venture forth to stalk their quarry with no pencil, or with one that breaks, or with a pen that doesn’t work, and with nothing to write on. ‘He gives us everything we need to get started.”
With close to 2 million copies sold since its 1976 publication, On Writing Well continues to help writers prepare themselves. With Zinsser’s help they are able to sort through the clutter and compose compelling stories.
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