Tell It Like It Is: A Guide to Clear and Honest Writing

In his book "Tell It Like It Is," Roy Peter Clark offers a guide to writing with clarity, honesty, and conviction, analyzing stellar writing samples from public writers and providing tools to engage and inform readers in a variety of contexts. He addresses the challenges of making hard facts-about pandemics, wars, natural disasters, social justice-easy reading, and helping contribute to a culture of writing that combats misinformation and propaganda.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

The future seems to be getting darker and more dystopian, and this has given rise to a growing demand for influential public writers who can provide clear and honest information to an increasingly busy, stressed, and overwhelmed audience. However, with so much content vying for our attention and so much misinformation and propaganda polluting public discourse, it can be challenging for writers to break through the noise and inform their readers effectively. In his book "Tell It Like It Is," bestselling author, writing coach, and teacher Roy Peter Clark offers a concise and practical guide to writing with clarity, honesty, and conviction. By analyzing stellar writing samples from a diverse collection of public writers, Clark highlights and explains the tools journalists, scientists, economists, fact-checkers, and even storytellers use to engage, inform, and hook readers. He also provides answers to some of the most pressing questions facing writers today, such as how to make hard facts about pandemics, wars, natural disasters, social justice, and other important topics easy to read and understand.

One of the key strategies Clark emphasizes is the importance of using clear and concise language. He argues that too much jargon and technical language can confuse and overwhelm readers, making it difficult for them to grasp the information being presented. Instead, Clark suggests that writers should aim for simple, straightforward language that is easy to read and understand. This means avoiding long sentences, complex vocabulary, and unnecessary jargon, and instead focusing on delivering the key points in a clear and concise manner.

Another important aspect of effective public writing is the use of evidence and facts to support your arguments. Clark emphasizes the importance of fact-checking and verifying the information you present to ensure that it is accurate and reliable. This means relying on reputable sources and avoiding relying on personal beliefs or opinions alone. By presenting facts and evidence in a clear and compelling way, writers can build trust with their readers and establish themselves as credible sources of information.

In addition to using clear and concise language and presenting evidence and facts, Clark also suggests that writers should focus on engaging their readers emotionally. He argues that readers are more likely to be engaged and interested in content that evokes emotions and connects with them on a personal level. This can be achieved through the use of storytelling, personal anecdotes, and other techniques that help readers relate to the content and feel a sense of empathy and understanding.

Furthermore, Clark emphasizes the importance of being honest and transparent in your writing. He argues that readers are more likely to trust and respect writers who are honest and transparent about their sources, their biases, and their intentions. By being open and honest about your writing process and your sources, you can build trust with your readers and establish yourself as a reliable and trustworthy source of information.

In conclusion, "Tell It Like It Is" offers a valuable and practical guide to public writing in unprecedented times. By emphasizing the importance of clear and concise language, using evidence and facts to support your arguments, engaging your readers emotionally, and being honest and transparent in your writing, writers can break through the noise and inform their readers effectively. Whether you are a journalist, scientist, economist, fact-checker, or storyteller, this book provides valuable insights and techniques that can help you communicate your ideas and messages to a wider audience in a clear and compelling way.

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 147 x 218 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780316317139