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The Sense of Style

The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century
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( 9,118 ratings, 1,089 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Sense of Style by Steven Pinker is an insightful exploration of modern writing and style, aimed at enhancing clarity and grace in communication. Drawing on examples from literature, science, and pop culture, Pinker delves into the roots of good writing, breaking down why certain styles resonate. It offers a blend of linguistic science with practical advice for writers, making it both a guide and an engaging read.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have an interest in exploring how to write with clarity and style. It's particularly appealing to those who appreciate linguistics and want a deeper understanding of effective communication. Written with wit and insight, it provides practical advice for writers and enthusiasts keen on refining their language skills.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

What is the secret of good prose? Does writing well even matter in an age of instant communication? Should we care? This book tells about the modern art of writing, and shows us why we all need a sense of style.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The bestselling author of The Language Instinct deploys his gift for explaining difficult ideas in a short and entertaining writing guide for the 21st century.

Bad writing can't be blamed on the Internet, or on 'the kids today'. Good writing has always been hard — a performance requiring pretense, empathy, and a drive for coherence. In The Sense of Style, cognitive scientist and linguist Steven Pinker uses the latest scientific insights to bring us a style and usage guide for the 21st century.

Can we distinguish the myths about language from rules that enhance clarity and grace? As Pinker shows, everyone can improve their mastery of writing and their appreciation of the art (yes, 'their').

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Sense of Style by Steven Pinker is lauded for its insightful approach to modern writing, blending linguistic analysis with practical advice. Reviewers appreciate Pinker's engaging style and wit, highlighting how the book makes complex ideas accessible. Some critiques mention the text could be dense at times, but overall, it is praised as a valuable resource for both writers and readers interested in the art of effective communication.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241957714

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 September 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 274g

Pages: 368

About the Author

Steven Pinker is one of the world's most influential thinkers and writers on the human condition. His popular and highly praised books include The Better Angels of Our Nature, The Sense of Style, The Stuff of Thought, The Blank Slate, How the Mind Works, and The Language Instinct. The recipient of several major awards for his teaching, books, and scientific research, Pinker is Harvard College Professor and Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. He also writes frequently for The New York Times, the Guardian and other publications. He has been named Humanist of the Year, Prospect magazine's "The World's Top 100 Public Intellectuals," Foreign Policy's "100 Global Thinkers," and Time magazine's "The 100 Most Influential People in the World Today."

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