Writing with Style: The Economist Guide

The Economist is well known for its clarity and flair, and this book provides a survey of the principles available for writing better prose. It offers tools and techniques to help writers inform, persuade, and entertain, including information on singulars, subjunctives, colons, and dangling modifiers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Why are the best words short and old?

Why are full stops a writer's best friend?

How can we simplify, then exaggerate?

And what exactly are dangling modifiers?

We'd all like to write with style. But what does that mean, and what can we learn from The Economist, a publication well known for its clarity and flair?

Welcome to Writing with Style, an elegant survey of the principles available for writing better prose. By adopting some tried and tested tools and techniques, you too can learn how to inform, persuade, and entertain when you write. Whether you want to know your singulars from your subjunctives, how colons add drama, or why the word comprise is contaminated, this is the style guide for you.

The best words are short and old because they are concise and easy to remember. They also have a timeless quality that can make them relevant to readers of all ages. Full stops are a writer's best friend because they provide a sense of finality and punctuation that can help to clarify a sentence and make it more readable. They also add a sense of drama and suspense to a sentence, which can keep a reader engaged.

Simplifying a sentence can be done by removing unnecessary words or phrases, while exaggerating a sentence can be done by adding more detail or emphasis. Dangling modifiers are words or phrases that modify a noun or pronoun but do not provide enough information to clarify what they are referring to. This can create confusion and ambiguity in a sentence, which can make it difficult for a reader to understand.

To write with style, it is important to use concise and clear language, to use punctuation effectively, and to avoid using dangling modifiers. It is also important to be aware of the tone and voice of your writing, and to use language that is appropriate for your audience and purpose.

One example of a publication that is well known for its clarity and flair is The Economist. The Economist is a weekly magazine that covers a wide range of topics, from politics to economics to culture. The magazine is known for its concise and informative writing, which is often accompanied by bold graphics and charts.

The Economist uses a variety of writing techniques to achieve its clarity and flair. One technique that the magazine uses is the use of short sentences and paragraphs. This allows the magazine to convey a lot of information in a relatively short amount of space, which can be especially useful for readers who are busy or who have limited attention spans.

Another technique that the magazine uses is the use of simple language. The Economist avoids using complex or technical language, which can be difficult for readers to understand. Instead, the magazine uses language that is easy to read and understand, which can help to ensure that readers are able to get the most out of the magazine.

The Economist also uses a variety of rhetorical information graphics and charts to help to illustrate its points. These graphics and charts can be used to show data, trends, and patterns, which can help to make complex information more accessible and engaging for readers.

In addition to its clarity and flair, The Economist is also known for its sense of humor and wit. The magazine often uses humor to add a lighthearted touch to its writing, which can help to make it more enjoyable to read. This can also help to ensure that readers are able to remember the information that the magazine is presenting, which can be especially important for readers who are studying for exams or who are working in the business world

In conclusion, writing with style is an important skill for anyone who wants to write effectively. By adopting some tried and tested tools and techniques, you too can learn how to inform, persuade, and entertain when you write. Whether you want to know your singulars from your subjunctives, how colons add drama, or why the word comprise is contaminated, this is the style guide for you. By using concise and clear language, using punctuation effectively, and avoiding dangling modifiers, you can write with style and create a clear and engaging message for your readers.

Weight: 194g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800810068
Edition number: Main