Simple & Direct

This introduction to the 'simple and direct' writing style from the legendary scholar Jacques Barzun (Wait! According to Barzun, I've misused 'legendary' -- I should say 'the famous, highly-regarded scholar'!) is frequently delightful, and always helpful.

Barzun's own style isn't really simple and direct, at least not in the sense I understand the phrase, i.e. punchy and tight: he is elegant, if never ornate.

But his advice to writers is valuable. Its essence is expressed well late in the book:

"All thought, like all writing, is discrimination--separating ideas and, by means of a word, assigning to each the feature that matters in the present case."

A more accurate title for the book might have been 'The Right Word at the Right Time', since show more calling things by their right names is Barzun's passion.

Although he organizes the book conventionally -- e.g. with chapters on 'Diction', 'Linking', 'Tone and Tune', 'Meaning', 'Composition' and 'Revision', in his instructions and especially in his examples he returns nearly every time to 'getting the words right'. He simply cannot restrain himself, no matter the subject at hand, from listing out and denouncing solecisms and ambiguities in contemporary usage.

The book features little exercises in each chapter, but they are illustrative, not necessary.

Simple and Direct is not for everyone, but it is of much use to practicing writers and editors, and is highly recommended for them. show less

This book by Jacques Barzun must find a place in your library if you wish to improve as a writer. Not only must you read the book through once, but you must also open the book again, read through the material carefully, and do the exercises.
Also, read the passages from excellent writers he has inserted into each chapter.
A few reviewers believe he submerged the lessons in verbiage. While he may have been guilty of this ‘crime,’ I do not think the book’s style detracts from its merit. I will say, however, that you cannot skip through the pages with a song on your heart: his style demands concentrated reading.
Jacques Barzun’s book follows a logical flow. The author started with a chapter on simple diction and which words to use. show more Then, he added a chapter on linking: building logical connections between words. The third chapter focuses on style, and he emphasizes the importance of developing your style.
In the fourth chapter, he emphasizes the need for clarity: often, we use too many words, string them together carelessly, or adopt a pompous style, which makes writing incomprehensible.
The final two chapters focus on composition and revision. The last chapter, on revision, is too short. ‘All writing is rewriting,’ as many critics state. If he had given us detailed guidelines or illustrated the lessons with examples, this book would have become even better than it is today. show less

Pros: different perspective than most writing books; focus on logic thinking; practical and useful; thought-provoking; very good writing
Cons: none (the writing is a bit hard on criticism but I like it)

SIMPLE AND DIRECT is anything but.

SIMPLE AND DIRECT is anything but.

"Mentioned in a blog. I enjoy books about writing, and as this is written by a nonfiction writer it will give a different perspective."