Steven Pinker’s The Sense of Style explores contemporary grammar and writing. I really liked Pinker’s analysis of the difference of writing style between John Keegan’s classic A History of Warfare with John Mueller’s incisive The Remnants of War (pages 171-183). Such detailed explanations show just how writing can be improved. If you’re interested in giving your writing style a boost, Pinker’s lucid book will help. There are insights on every page! GRADE: B+
Table of Contents:
Prologue
Chapter 1: Good Writing
Chapter 2: A Window Onto the World
Chapter 3: The Curse of Knowledge
Chapter 4: The Web, The Tree, and The String
Chapter 5: Arcs of Coherence
Chapter 6: Tell Right From Wrong
Achknowledgments
Glossary
Notes
References
Index
Just read an article about how a lot of writing conventions are falling away. This looks like a good companion piece.
Patti, I’m always eager to learn how to write better. Pinker’s books provides a lot of food for thought.
(re: Patti) Just because something is “falling away” – such as style, grammar and spelling, these days – doesn’t mean it’s good, the new way should be adopted, or is desirable.
George, I always wonder why, if someone is so astute about writing, he or she isn’t writing fabulous books instead of telling other people how to do it. Sort of show me, don’t tell me, I suppose.
Rick, Pinker does research in this area. I’m glad he shared some of his findings in THE SENSE OF STYLE. I agree with your statement about writing fabulous books. I like to think I become a better writer when I read Henry James and Nabokov and other superb stylists.
There are five yards of soil amendments sitting in the driveway and it is pouring rain and whipping wind. We put tarps over it yesterday just after it came, and it’s weighted down, but still rain will get in. Joy, oh joy.
By the way, GO GIANTS!
Rick, if the Royals don’t win tonight, this World Series is OVER. I see that the Northeast is getting plenty of rain! Start building the Ark!
George, I like reading about writing and grammar, too, though it’s funny that while I might write a grammatically correct sentence, I know so little about grammar.
Prashant, what I know about grammar comes from taking Latin in school eons ago. Sadly, Latin isn’t taught in today’s schools.
Although all things evolve. And language that might suit people of decades ago may not suit today’s. Certainly most novels of the 19th century seem stiff and mannered and a lot of that is the language.
Patti, you’re right. Writing styles change. We’re living in a time when most writing emulates Hemingway. Long, complex sentences are out, short punchy sentences are in.