- Learn to write by writing. Force yourself to
produce a certain number of words on a regular basis.
- Writing is a question of solving a problem. A
problem may be where to obtain the facts or how to organize the material.
Even, it may be a problem of approach or attitude, tone or style. And
"it has to be confronted and solved.
- "Unity is the anchor of good writing. So,
first, get your unities straight. Choose from among the many variables
and stick to your choice. "
- "One choice is unity of pronoun."
Write in first person, as a participant, or in the third person, as an
observer, or even in the second person.
- "Unity of tense is another
choice." Write in the past tense or in the present tense. But, do
not switch back and forth, because it is not agreeable.
- "Another choice is unity of mood."
Writer can talk to the reader in the casual voice. Or he can approach the
reader with a certain formality to describe a serious event or to present
a set of important facts.
- "Ask yourself some basic questions before
you start."
- "In what capacity am I going to address
the reader?" "(Reporter? Provider of information? Average man
or woman?)"
- "What pronoun and tense am I going to
use?"
- " What style?" "(Impersonal
reportorial? Personal but formal? Personal or casual?)"
- "What attitude am I going to take toward
the material?" "(Involved? Detached? Judgmental? Ironic?
Amused?)"
- "How much do I want to cover?"
"What one point do I want to make?"
"Every writing project must be reduced before you start to
write."
- "Think small." "Decide what
corner of your subject you're going to bite off, and be content to cover
it well and stop."
- "Adjust your style accordingly and proceed
to whatever destination you reach. Don't ever become the prisoner of a
preconceived plan. Writing is no respecter of blueprints."
- When the second part of article is badly out of
joint with the first, go back to the beginning and rewrite it so that the
mood and style are consistent from start to finish.
- "There's nothing in such a method to be
ashamed of."
These are my summary notes on 'Unity' from a book "On Writing Well" written by William Zinsser.
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