Writing To Learn

True to the title the writing in this book is organized, crafted with skill, and understandable to the point of learning. Specifically, this pertains to non fiction writing in the general topics. If you have read an article nicely titled but poorly executed then this book will give you hope for the next generation of nonfiction writers. Excerpts from several authors in the major fields that are sweet enough to make me want to add to my shelf of want-to reads. As a bonus it's a good read at the end of year or beginning of new year. Also recommended for your emerging writer

Another reviewer noted that the author makes the point that, "Only two chapters--9 and 11--specifically demonstrate writing as a method of learning." Almost all the other chapters are essentially examples of good writing. Here is how he suggested you should read the book if you are trying to gain the most important information: “Chapter 4, Writing to Learn, discusses the relationship between clear thinking and writing. It's helpful to review as it notes other important books in the field that discuss the topic of thinking and writing. Chapter 5, Crotchets and Convictions, is one of the most important chapters in the book. This chapter gives the reader a crash course in writing, and is one of the most helpful things I've read in my life. Chapter 9 & Chapter 10. These two chapters discuss the idea of using writing to learn things.” And then went on to suggest you can read other chapters of examples at your leisure, which is what I did. Those suggestions worked for me. Kudos to the reviewer, Peter Soares!

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.

Zinsser is a good writer but this book felt mostly like fluff to me. There are a lot of great examples of good writing in it and there are a handful of useful nuggets in chapters 3, 4 and 5 but not many. If you already understand that writing helps you think and are looking for a book that will help hone those skills this is probably not the book for you.

This book fills with stories and examples of how writing is a critical part of learning, in any disciplines. This should be embedded in all the teaching classes as the good writing is a demonstration of clear thinking, and that's the critical of any learning.

The author notes at the end of Ch 5, "Only two chapters--9 and 11--specifically demonstrate writing as a method of learning." Almost all the other chapters are essentially examples of good writing. I believe many people get bored by reading the writing examples before they get to the helpful content of the book. Here is how you should read this book if you are trying to gain the most important bits: Chapter 4, Writing to Learn, discusses the relationship between clear thinking and writing. It's helpful to review as it notes other important books in the field that discuss the topic of thinking and writing. Chapter 5, Crotchets and Convictions, is one of the most important chapters in the book. This chapter gives the reader a crash course in writing, and is one of the most helpful things I've read in my life. Chapter 9 & Chapter 10. These two chapters discuss the idea of using writing to learn things. Once you do those chapters, consider reading the other chapters for examples of strong writing. I'm a lawyer and avid reader, but even I got bored around page 100 and decided to skip directly to chapters 9 and 11. I just got tired of reading all the writing examples over and over and over again. It fatigues you.

Writing to learn machte mich auf einen Aspekt aufmerksam, der in unser schnelllebigen Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Zeit schon gar nicht mehr vorkommt: nämlich die Langsamkeit. Schreiben verlangsamt die Denkarbeit auf natürliche Weise und ermöglicht unserem Hirn, schärfer zu denken. Ganz ähnlich dem Gegensatz fast/slow food.

Kargo hızlı geldi ancak kitabı beğenemedim, hem eski tarihli bir kitap hem de biraz boş bilgilerle dolu. En azından başlığına bakarak almanızı tavsiye etmem.

Haberme cruzado con este autor me ha cambiado: al fin tengo la mejor guía que podría desear para adentrarme en el mundo de la escritura.

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.

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