When Natalie Ferjulian and Anthony Papia took their first Journalism class two years ago they used a reporters notebook and Microsoft Word as their main tools. Now, students enrolled in Journalism are blogging, making videos and podcasting. Technological advancements have changed the face of Journalism but Ferjulian and Papia agree that the writing advice in William Zinsser’s 30 year old book, On Writing Well, is still applicable today.
“Whether it’s a blog or a script, some of the fundamental things Zinsser says about being precise, clear, clutter free, using visual writing, remembering the human element, and sounding genuine are still relevant in whatever context,” said Ferjulian a communication arts major from Hudson, MA. Ferjulian has read On Writing Well 3 times and still refers back to it frequently.
Ferjulian and Papia both remember the chapters about clutter free writing the most. “Zinsser said clear thinking becomes clear writing...Now I ask myself, ‘why did I say it this way’ or ‘can I simplify what I am saying without losing its essence,’” said Ferjulian. “My favorite quote is “clutter is political correctness gone amok,” said Papia, a communication arts major Haverhill, MA.
Zinsser’s book has been revised and expanded many times over the past 30 years but people continue to purchase it. “This book is hilarious. I laugh out loud at points,” said Ferjulian. The fact that On Writing Well was written 30 years ago and the changing mediums of journalism haven’t swayed Papia and Ferjulian’s opinion of the book.
“Whether it’s a blog or a script, some of the fundamental things Zinsser says about being precise, clear, clutter free, using visual writing, remembering the human element, and sounding genuine are still relevant in whatever context,” said Ferjulian a communication arts major from Hudson, MA. Ferjulian has read On Writing Well 3 times and still refers back to it frequently.
Ferjulian and Papia both remember the chapters about clutter free writing the most. “Zinsser said clear thinking becomes clear writing...Now I ask myself, ‘why did I say it this way’ or ‘can I simplify what I am saying without losing its essence,’” said Ferjulian. “My favorite quote is “clutter is political correctness gone amok,” said Papia, a communication arts major Haverhill, MA.
Zinsser’s book has been revised and expanded many times over the past 30 years but people continue to purchase it. “This book is hilarious. I laugh out loud at points,” said Ferjulian. The fact that On Writing Well was written 30 years ago and the changing mediums of journalism haven’t swayed Papia and Ferjulian’s opinion of the book.
“His advice is still very much relevant. Today it seems like anyone can call themselves a writer, but the truth is that the public still knows a good writer from a bad one when they see it. Even though the book is a bit dated, the advice is still germane,” said Papia.
No comments:
Post a Comment