Writing to Learn: How to Write - and Think - Clearly About Any Subject at All

This book isn’t necessarily what the title promises - it’s better. I like Bill Zinsser’s writing and his writing-about-writing, so I was going to enjoy this book, whatever. It’s a treasure trove of examples of good, clear, accessible writing. What does it have to do with learning? Well, it’s not a how-to manual. There are no five-steps, or three-stages, or six-principles. The book is essentially a memoir, an account of Zinsser’s journey into discovering how others have used writing to help them learn, in a wide range of fields and disciplines. It gives examples of these writings, and the theme is that through writing, these writers learned more (much more) about their subjects. The misleading item is the subtitle, “How to Write - and Think - Clearly About Any Subject at All”, since the book doesn’t include any how-to instructions, it teaches by example. (I can imagine a marketing person added the subtitle, it doesn’t even appear on the cover.) If you like Bill Zinsser’s other works on writing, then I think you’ll like this book, too.

The main premise of this book is that writing can be a tool to understand almost any subject area. The author illustrates that point by showing that well-crafted writing from disciplines spanning the highly technical and the highly visual can be accessible and interesting. For instance, a passage from a book by E.0. Wilson shows that even a discussion of the finer detail of evolution theory can be as engrossing as a detective novel when written well. Further, the author recounts the use of writing in education, for instance, to make mathematics more appealing to students who tend to like the arts more. In general, I liked the book but wish that the author had done more to condense the writing to some general principles. It feels a bit like a collection of essays on various topics. The reader is left to their own devices to figure out the aspects of the writing that made it effective. I also thought that many of the excerpts were too long, especially when the main point of the writing was not clear. In sum, I think that this would have been better as a long-form article with much more condensed reference material.

Very cleverly written and a joy to read. William knows his craft. And I now have some great ideas on how I will write my books on maths

excellent book and excellent condition

'Writing to Learn' was precisely the book I needed to read at precisely this time. It is another classic by the scholarly-yet-approachable William Zinsser that both motivates and instructs. I feel two things right now: a pressing and urgent need to write about anything and everything, and a great desire to go out and teach good composition to anyone who will listen. Thank you, Mr Zinsser.

I would review this book more favorably if its title promise to tell us 'how' to think well using writing.The book works is a nice set of reflective essays on the value of writing in education, but it doesn't come close to doing what it promises: providing insights on and suggestions for how to use writing to think well.Using a personal voice, the author describes his own experiences with learning and introduces a number of teachers who have found value using writing to help their students learn diverse topics. It's a pleasant read, and many of the stories and quite interesting.The prose exemplifies the concise, robust style that the author advocates for.The problem is the book fails to investigate 'how' we can use writing to better analyse and understand subject matter. What's common about how writing is used in the different subject areas? Where do they differ?The author does a good job making the case for the importance of writing in across the curricula, but doesn't go beyond interesting stories to something more profound about what writing to learn really means.

For people who care about good writing, writing to learn is an admirable guide on how to write clearly about any subject ranging from art and music to physics and chemistry. Valuable book.

In the heart of every homeschooling journey lies the quest for methods that not only educate but inspire. William Zinsser's "Writing to Learn" emerges as a beacon of guidance for families navigating this voyage. With a gentle yet persuasive voice, Zinsser introduces us to a teaching approach that goes beyond mere knowledge acquisition. It's about embarking on an adventure with our children, guiding them to express their thoughts, questions, and discoveries through the written word.At its core, "Writing to Learn" illuminates the profound connection between writing and understanding. Like a skilled gardener tending to seedlings, Zinsser teaches us how to nurture our children's ideas, allowing them to blossom into rich insights and knowledge. This book stands not just as a manual but as a companion, walking alongside homeschooling parents and their children, inspiring them to see writing not as a chore but as an exhilarating exploration.What makes this book resonate with homeschooling families is its alignment with the heart and soul of home education: the freedom to tailor learning to each child's unique curiosity and pace. Zinsser's approach, rich in encouragement and practical wisdom, fits seamlessly into the homeschooling ethos. It speaks directly to the heart, urging us to foster an environment where writing is a joyful journey of discovery, not a daunting destination.Beyond academic achievement, "Writing to Learn" gifts students with a skill for life. It teaches them to articulate their understanding and emotions, equipping them with the power to navigate the world with confidence and clarity. As homeschoolers, we cherish not just the academic growth of our children but their development as thoughtful, articulate individuals. Zinsser's masterpiece serves as a key tool in this noble endeavor.William Zinsser's "Writing to Learn" is more than a book; it's a treasure trove of inspiration for homeschooling families dedicated to cultivating lifelong learners. It encourages us to view writing as a natural extension of thinking and learning, beautifully woven into the fabric of our daily educational adventures. Embracing Zinsser's teachings, we can guide our children toward a love for writing that enriches their learning and lights up their paths to understanding. For those seeking to inspire a deeper connection with learning in their homeschool, Zinsser's wisdom is a guiding star.

Agradable!

Changes your perspective about writing. I would recommend it as a fun read and to help feel less scared of writing

For the writer in you