Pinker characterizes writing as an unnatural way to communicate because it deprives us of many of the tools we use in speech. Good writing requires critical analysis of language usage and decision-making in the face of ambiguous and evolving rules. Pinker reminds us that good writers are avid readers who have honed their writing craft over time. He draws on psychological and linguistic research to explain in an entertaining voice the underlying principles behind why his practical tips will improve writing. Pinker’s aim is to help good writers become better. In The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21 st Century, Pinker, a psychologist and cognitive scientist at Harvard University, argues that the “texting generation” has not ruined English as some fear rather poor writing has always abounded. “Purists”, as Pinker calls the sticklers for grammatical rules, might identify four or five errors in the previous sentence. Because the 2014 writing guide Steven Pinker authored is truly essential for improving writing, all writers would certainly benefit from reading it.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |