john hawks weblog

paleoanthropology, genetics and evolution

Vonnegut on writing style

Tue, 2008-07-15 10:10 -- John Hawks

Ann Althouse links to Kurt Vonnegut's "How to write with style,", which deserves to be linked.

I myself find that I trust my own writing most, and others seem to trust it most, too, when I sound most like a person from Indianapolis, which is what I am. What alternatives do I have? The one most vehemently recommended by teachers has no doubt been pressed on you, as well: to write like cultivated Englishmen of a century or more ago.

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