Languages continuously evolve, with new words, phrases, and dialects emerging daily. With so many changes, how do we ensure our writing remains clear, consistent, and engaging? In On Writing Well, William Zinsser emphasizes the importance of writing for ourselves, instead of catering to the wants of an audience. He argues that a focus on authenticity is how we develop and perfect our writing style.

Writing To Yourself: The Real Audience

Readers are diverse; each has its own needs, preferences, and interests. The best way to engage with them is to remember who the real audience is: yourself. A writer will shine if he or she writes honestly and authentically. A clear way of expressing thoughts is what forms genuine connections with readers.

The First-Person Perspective

Writing is an intimate transition between two people, so writing feels more comfortable in the first person. This is hard to do, as there’s a general disapproval of using “I” and expressing personal opinions. Despite this, a good writer’s voice and personality can be visible behind their words. To convey this, Zinsser suggests writing with “I” in mind or using “I” in the first draft, then taking it out. I struggle with expressing my opinion without “I”, so this approach is very useful when I’m not allowed to use “I.” This method of writing also ensures I authentically write for myself—the real audience.

“Even when ‘I’ isn’t permitted, it’s still possible to convey a sense of I-ness.” (Zinsser, p.g. 26)

Mastering the Basics of Good Writing

Mastering the basics of writing is also important to engage readers. At first glance, this might seem contradictory advice—how can we write for ourselves but also appeal to others? The answer lies in mastering the principles of good writing. Grammar, sentence structure, and clarity are important tools for effective communication. If you have poor writing skills, your reader will be uninterested and move on. Mastering the basics ensures your writing is clear and accessible to others. It allows us to write for ourselves while engaging readers.

“Style is tied to the psyche, and writing has deep psychological roots.” (Zinsser, p.g. 26)

One of Zinsser’s core solutions for good writing is to declutter it. Excessive and unnecessary words and phrases complicate your message and distract from the main point. Writers often add clutter to sound more professional and detailed. Zinsser encourages simplifying your writing by eliminating anything that doesn’t add value. This is how you develop a writing style that is engaging to others and true to yourself.