BOOK REVIEW: THE ART OF WRITING – FOUR PRINCIPLES FOR GREAT WRITING THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW BY PETER YANG

  • ISBN: 978-1631610769
  • Publisher : Tck Publishing
  • Price: INR 99/- ( Kindle copy)
  • Genre: Nonfiction, Creative Writing, Writing Guide

Book Blurb

Discover the lost art of great writing. Since the invention of writing, the written word has fueled humanity’s astonishing progress. Thus, the ability to write effectively and beautifully has long been revered and rewarded. And yet in the digital age, people have begun to believe that this talent is somehow obsolete: that writing is something unworthy of study beyond the basic mechanics of vocabulary and syntax and grammar, that mediocre prose is acceptable in a world crying out for clear and precise communication. Peter Yang believes otherwise.
The Art of Writing is Yang’s highly practical treatise on the four key principles of dazzling, effective writing–economy, transparency, variety, and harmony. Far from your garden-variety style guide, the principles in this book apply to everyone, whether you’re writing an inauguration speech or a letter home to Mom. Great writing is a skill, and this book gives you the tools to make your words shimmer on the page (or the screen). Packed with real-world insights and advice, The Art of Writing is your ultimate guide to transforming your writing and unleashing your inner artist. Fans of The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr., On Writing Well by William Zinsser, The Little Seagull Handbook by Richard Bullock, and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott will love this book. This book is for anyone who likes reading about:
  •  How to write
  •  Writing nonfiction
  •  Writing fiction
  •  How to be a better writer
  •  Writing style
  •  Business writing
  •  Writing a book

About the Author

You can know more about the author from his website.

Review

As a writer, it is important to keep working on your writing skills. Since the time I have discovered my passion for writing, I have always tried working on honing my writing skills very regularly.
From workshops to courses, I have tried them all. However, one of the most effective ways of doing so which I have discovered is by reading books on writing. One of the biggest reason for saying this is – you can always keep revisiting the book whenever you feel the ghosts of writer’s block is haunting you or even when you simply want to revisit some aspect you feel needs to be polished.
Picking up this book to read was my way of yet again working on my writing skills. And I was not disappointed at all!
Peter Yang shares tips and tricks to sharpen your writing and also provides examples of doing so. Many a times books on writing are high on content but low on explaining the relatability in context. Here the author scores a brownie point because he feels more like a fellow writer who is sharing his tried and tested ways of writing better.
I loved the conversational tone of the book where though it was a book, it never felt like a one-sided monologue. It felt like a discussion where the author patiently waited till I grasped the whole point before moving onto the next one.
I particularly enjoyed the portion on voices (Active and passive), because that has always been my weaker point in writing. I even tried some of the suggestions and ideas shared in the book on some of my recent writings and yes! IT WORKS. The redundancy in my writing has gone down drastically after I used those tricks on a regular basis.
I have made a checklist and a flowchart of my commonly made mistakes, and stuck it on my dashboard before my writing desk. It helps serve like a reminder every time I sit down to write. Neatly divided into 4 principles of great writing followed by Meditations on writing, this book makes for an invigorating read. I wouldn’t mind calling this whole book a meditation on writing – it is thought-provoking and one that makes you think and analyze your writing.

The Art of Writing: Four Principles for Great Writing That Everyone Needs to Know by Peter Yang is a practical and insightful guide for anyone looking to improve their writing skills. Yang breaks down the essentials of writing into four core principles, making the process approachable for writers of all levels. While I can summarize the key points from the book, keep in mind that these principles serve as foundational tools that apply across a variety of writing contexts—whether you’re working on essays, stories, articles, or even professional writing.

Here are the four principles that Peter Yang emphasizes in the book:

1. Clarity: Write with clarity, and keep your message simple and direct.

Yang stresses the importance of clarity in writing. A piece of writing is only effective if the reader can easily understand it. This means avoiding overly complex sentences, jargon, or unnecessary embellishments. Good writing is about making the message clear, concise, and accessible. He suggests revisiting your drafts to ensure that your core message isn’t lost in a sea of convoluted language.

  • Key Takeaway: Simplify your ideas. Use straightforward language and sentence structures to make sure your writing is easily understood.

2. Brevity: Less is more. Be concise and get to the point.

In a world full of distractions, people’s attention spans are shorter than ever. Yang encourages writers to remove all unnecessary words and details that don’t add to the core message. This doesn’t mean sacrificing depth or nuance, but rather trimming away superfluous content to keep the writing tight and focused.

  • Key Takeaway: Trim excess. Eliminate anything that doesn’t directly support your main point. Readers appreciate brevity.

3. Engagement: Create interest and connect with your reader.

Great writing isn’t just about conveying information—it’s about keeping the reader engaged. Yang talks about the importance of storytelling and vivid imagery, even in non-fiction writing. The goal is to draw the reader in with compelling narratives, relatable examples, and language that speaks to their emotions or interests. Writing should create an emotional or intellectual connection.

  • Key Takeaway: Craft your writing to captivate. Use anecdotes, imagery, and relatable examples to keep readers interested and emotionally engaged.

4. Structure: Organize your writing for flow and ease of understanding.

Structure is the skeleton of any piece of writing. Yang emphasizes the importance of having a clear structure that guides the reader through the content. This could mean using logical paragraph transitions, having an introduction that sets the tone, and concluding with a strong ending. Well-structured writing is easier to follow and more persuasive.

  • Key Takeaway: Organize your ideas. Use paragraphs, subheadings, and transitions to guide the reader logically from point to point.

Additional Tips from the Book:

  • Revise and Edit: Yang also discusses the importance of revising and editing your work. No first draft is perfect, and often the magic happens in the rewriting process. The key is to look at your writing with a critical eye and refine it until it is as clear, concise, and compelling as possible.

  • Know Your Audience: He advises writers to tailor their writing to the specific audience they are addressing, understanding the reader’s expectations, interests, and level of knowledge.

  • Find Your Voice: One of the most important aspects of writing, according to Yang, is developing your own unique voice. Authenticity in writing resonates with readers, and being true to your voice is essential for great writing.

Yang’s book is an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced writers who want to sharpen their writing skills. His principles are clear, actionable, and designed to help writers at any stage improve their craft.

Are you thinking about applying these principles to a specific type of writing, or is there a particular part of the book that caught your interest?

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