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The Sense of Style
- The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Bad writing can't be blamed on the internet or on 'the kids today'. Good writing has always been hard: a performance requiring pretence, 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. What do skilful writers know about the link between syntax and ideas? How can we overcome the Curse of Knowledge, the difficulty in imagining what it's like not to know something we do? And can we distinguish the myths and superstitions 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').
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Critic Reviews
"A superbly and clearly written celebration of the best, least fuzzy kind of writing." (Winner, Plain English Campaign's International Award 2014)
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What listeners say about The Sense of Style
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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- Robbie Hammond
- 16-07-2020
for a writing guide its very enjoyable
i love stephen pinker
this book will not be for everyone although id argue much of it will entertain any english language speeker, especially the examples of well written paragraphs from books and blogs- which he examined in detail to point out what made them great.
as my writing skills present in this review of the sence of style makes clear, im not smart in the way of the
word. yet i still enjoyed it, especially the first chapter or so.
2 things to point out.
- I would not have chosen this book if it was written by any other author which suggests that my oppinion is likely biassed.
- there is (im guessing) 1 or 2 chapters which are taken from another of stephen pinkers book- likely the Blank Slate
i still suggest anyone who is considering this book to read it (after his other books avalable on audible)
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