Zinsser Writing Style Analysis

The purpose of the reading is to see the difference in audience and how it can and cannot affect our end result. William Zinsser uses the reading to convey that not all writing is the same, nor is the preparation to write, but if the style is consistent and clean a reader will be able to follow.

William Zinsser’s audience is the everyday writer. He writes for those new to writing, or those wanting a refresher on the basics. Their ages range from the young new writer to those who have been practicing their craft a while. This is evident with “But whatever your age, be yourself when you write” (25). His audience is also evident in the tone of voice of his writing for the reader. It is that of a good friend imparting knowledge, not that of a lecturer. He understands the reader is curious about the process and that they might be at any point in their lives, however, he is encouraging them to write and not be concerned about the audience.

Zinsser starts chapter one off by showing a comparison between himself and a new author who has only recently been published.

He shows the difference between himself who needs the structure and rewrite to write well. And the other who takes a more laissez fair attitude to writing. This is Zinsser’s step one in showing the new writer there isn’t one defined path to writing, except to write. His step two is the use of various examples that show differences in subject matter. All of the excerpts are written with clear sentences and are not written with one audience in mind. This reinforces to the new writer that who you are writing for and how you do it is not as important as writing with clear sentences. In the unity chapter he brings it together by reemphasizing the point through a travel article. The writer of the travel article is first writing in a casual voice of a conversation then they switch to a more informative voice. The back and forth loses the reader like that of unclear

sentences.

Where his writing might not be appropriate for the new or younger reader is found in the example “Monkey Trial”. Although the article by H.L Mencken is good to read, it might not resonate with a younger group, or less well read group. Mencken’s phrases such as “…there was a strong smell of antinomianism” could lose a reader (28). This is a great sentence, but not one that is universally understood without being familiar with antinomianism. Although his sentences are sound and clear the meaning can be lost without the assistance of a dictionary.

Zinsser in his explanation of unity sums it up best with “Therefore think small. Decide what corner of your subject you’re going to bite off, and be content to cover it well and stop” (52). This is the final step Zinsser conveys about audience. If you decide how you will write, have clear sentence structure and are unified in the voice of your writing you can take your reader, your audience anywhere.

Zinsser, William. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction. New York: HarperCollins, 2006. Print.