Do I Make Myself Clear?: Why Writing Well Matters

Description

Harold Evans has edited everything from the urgent files of battlefield reporters to the complex thought processes of Henry Kissinger, and he has been knighted for his services to journalism. In DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?, his definitive guide to writing well, Evans brings his indispensable insight to the art of clear communication. The right words are oxygen to our ideas, but the digital era, with all of its TTYL, LMK and WTF, has been cutting off that oxygen flow. The compulsion to be precise has vanished from our culture, and in writing of all kinds we see a trend towards more - more speed and more information, but far less clarity. Evans provides practical examples of how editing and rewriting can make for better communication, even in the digital age. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR? is an essential text, and one that will provide every reader an editor at their shoulder.

Sir Harold Evans is a British-born journalist and writer. The author of several bestselling histories of America and former editor of The Times and the Sunday Times, he holds the British Press Awards' Gold Award for Lifetime Achievement of Journalists. In 2001 he was voted the all-time greatest British newspaper editor, and in 2004 he was knighted. He is currently the editor-at-large for Reuters.

In the tradition of George Orwell, who said that political language is designed to make lies sound truthful, Harry Evans reminds us how important it is to write clearly. Then he shows how. Those of us who have been edited by Harry marvel at his dexterity in unclogging dense prose, and in this book he reveals his secrets The book is more than simply a guide to clear writing. It is a powerful argument for the importance of language, and a signal warning of the consequences of its abuse - Daily Telegraph Full of enthusiasm for words and sound advice - Financial Times A masterclass in succinct writing . . . As a master editor and distinguished author, Evans is well qualified to instruct us on how to write well. But can he delight us in the process? After reading this book, I can affirm that the answer is yes - Scotsman