William Zinsser Quotes

A collection of quotes by William Zinsser.

William Zinsser (1922-2015) was an American writer, editor, and teacher. He was best known for his book "On Writing Well," a classic guide to nonfiction writing that has sold millions of copies worldwide. Zinsser worked as a journalist for the New York Herald Tribune and later as a freelance writer for various publications. He also taught writing at Yale University and the New School. Throughout his career, Zinsser emphasized the importance of simplicity, clarity, and brevity in writing, inspiring countless aspiring writers to improve their craft.

Four basic premises of writing: clarity, brevity, simplicity

Four basic premises of writing: clarity, brevity, simplicity, and humanity.

William Zinsser

Authors & Writing

Writing is thinking on paper.

Writing is thinking on paper.

William Zinsser

Authors & Writing

There's no sentence that's too short in the eyes of God.

There's no sentence that's too short in the eyes of God.

William Zinsser

Words

Hard writing makes easy reading. Easy writing makes hard rea

Hard writing makes easy reading. Easy writing makes hard reading.

William Zinsser

Authors & Writing

Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society

Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills and meaningless jargon.

William Zinsser

Authors & Writing

Writing is a craft not an art.

Writing is a craft not an art.

William Zinsser

Authors & Writing