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Chapter 3
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in On Writing Well, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Human Element
Simplicity vs. Clutter
Process and Organization
The Gift of Writing
Summary
Analysis
Many writers worry that they’ll lose their distinctive voice if they try to simplify their style too much. In theory, Zinsser says, this is true. But in practice, “you have to strip your writing down before you can build it back up.” Writers have to master the basics before they can embellish their writing.
It might sound like Zinsser wants everyone to copy his own style. He doesn’t. He’s just pointing out the difference between mechanics and style. Nobody can develop a compelling style without first getting the mechanics right—which means learning to write in clear, precise English. All good style is clear, and unclear writing is never compelling. In fact, without clarity, a writer can’t even get their own voice across to the reader.
Themes
New writers try too hard to develop a “style.” In reality, true style comes from a writer’s personality. Zinsser jokes that faking style is like wearing a toupee: people will notice. The secret to developing a real style is to “be yourself.” But this requires two things that writers are terrible at: relaxation and confidence. Most writers start by imagining the beautiful, finished article they’re going to write, so they’re stressed out when they actually sit down and start. It often takes them several paragraphs to start sounding like themselves—and good editors often just cut out those first paragraphs.
Style is a writer’s unique selling point in their personal transaction with the reader. Ironically, while writers have to be themselves in order to develop a style, most writers start out by trying to sound like someone else. This is another reason that good writing is essentially subconscious: writers can only succeed when they’re willing to expose their true selves on paper. Thus, although writers can improve through practice, their style is largely outside their control.
Themes
Since style depends on each writer’s individual personality, Zinsser recommends writing in the first person. Many writers see this as egotistical and unprofessional, and it’s true that the first person is unacceptable in many genres of writing. Still, when they can’t use “I,” writers should try to “convey a sense of I-ness.”
In school, many students learn never to use “I” in formal writing. But Zinsser thinks that the first person helps the personal transaction succeed. Even when it’s necessary to stick with the third person, as in news articles or academic papers, Zinsser thinks that it’s still important for writers to convey their own personal voice.
Themes
Since style basically expresses the writer’s subconscious, Zinsser thinks that writers resist using “I” for psychological reasons. He argues that many Americans are simply afraid of commitment. This fear also explains why politicians use vague language to avoid defending any specific position. But effective writers, like effective leaders, have to be clear and confident to inspire their audiences. If they want to succeed, writers have to sell themselves through their writing.
Writing takes vulnerability, and vulnerability takes courage. This is why good writers are like good leaders: they have to be a voice of conscience for their culture. Again, Zinsser thinks that bad writing is a symptom of a broader cultural trend toward dishonesty and evasiveness. But this trend also makes good, honest writing much more refreshing—and important—by comparison.
Themes
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