writing
![Brian Piercy](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="%230A66C2"><path d="M20.447 20.452H16.89v-5.569c0-1.328-.027-3.037-1.852-3.037-1.853 0-2.136 1.445-2.136 2.939v5.667H9.351V9h3.414v1.561h.046c.477-.9 1.637-1.85 3.37-1.85 3.601 0 4.267 2.37 4.267 5.455v6.286zM5.337 7.433a1.982 1.982 0 1 1 0-3.964 1.982 1.982 0 0 1 0 3.964zm1.782 13.019H3.555V9h3.564v11.452zM22.225 0H1.771C.792 0 0 .774 0 1.729v20.542C0 23.227.792 24 1.771 24h20.451C23.2 24 24 23.227 24 22.271V1.729C24 .774 23.2 0 22.222 0h.003z"/></svg>)
The best writing of 2025 as chosen by the American Society of Magazine Editors
Great articles and essays by the world's best journalists and writers.
English prose has become much easier to read. But shorter sentences had little to do with it.
Image via Wikimedia Commons Most everyone who knows the work of George Orwell knows his 1946 essay “Politics and the English Language” (published here), in which he rails against careless, confusing, and unclear prose. “Our civilization is decadent,” he argues, “and our language… must inevitably share in the general collapse.” The examples Orwell quotes are all guilty in various ways of “staleness of imagery” and “lack of precision.” Ultimately, Orwell claims, bad writing results from corrupt thinking, and often attempts to make palatable corrupt acts: “Political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible.” His examples of colonialism, forced deportations, and bombing campaigns find ready analogues in our own time.
Windows, Mirrors, and Lenses: On Intentional Prose What is writing style? Is it a) an expression of your personality, a mysterious, innate quality, o…
intro requests that don’t suck
Back-to-school shopping usually means grabbing whatever's cheapest at the campus bookstore, but Japanese stationery culture operates on a completely different level. While you're stocking up on basic supplies, Japanese designers are obsessing over how every tiny detail can make your semester smoother, more enjoyable, and genuinely more productive. It's the difference between tools that barely
The snail may leave a trail of slime behind him, but a little slime will do a man no harm... whilst if you dance with dragons, you must expect to burn. - George R. R. Martin, The Mystery Knight As any Game of Thrones fan knows, being a knight has its downsides.
A simple but powerful approach to note taking
If you aren’t careful, you may come across as less sincere because your writing doesn’t translate your intent. Here’s how to make sure that doesn’t happen.
On the value of human-generated scientific writing in the age of large-language models.
The path to creative mastery begins with years of silence. Publish anyway.
It was the summer of 1952, and the executives of Tombow Pencil were about to revolutionize the Japanese pencil industry—or, possibly, fall flat on their faces. Hachiro Ogawa, the son of founder Harunosuke Ogawa, was Tombow's managing director, and he had just finished a years-long project, at enormous cost,
Some sentences just sound awkward. In order to ensure clarity, writers need to consider more than just grammar: weight is equally important. In the following extract from Making Sense, acclaimed linguist David Crystal shows how sentence length (and weight) affects writing quality.
The power of a robust honor code—and abundant institutional resources
Stationery remains essential, adapting to global trends like sustainability, and minimalism, and bridging the gap between digital and analog domains. With technological advancements, stationery for school and office settings is progressing towards smarter, sustainable products, transforming traditional items into symbols of productivity and creativity. This transformation underscores a fusion of innovation and timeless design, enhancing
You’re working on the most complex problem in computer science: fixing permissions on a deployment pipeline. It’s been 4 days you started on that simple task...
:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Flithub.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F12%2Fwe-have-always-lived-in-the-castle-1.jpg)
From Shirley Jackson's ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’, of course.
:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fpocket-syndicated-images.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farticles%2F7955%2F1715370583_Graham-Greene1.png)
Ten great opening paragraphs from one iconic author.
50 Types of Social Media Posts to Engage Your Audience In the vibrant world of social...
Read our article to learn about the best online writing tools out there to help you with your writing projects.
Write effortlessly and efficiently with QuillBot's suite of AI tools. Paraphrase, check grammar, analyze tone, improve fluency, and more. Start doing your best work.
Academic writing has a bad reputation.
This is how I publish to my Git-based blog straight from Obsidian (kind of)
From Wubi to Zhineng ABC, here are the different ways Chinese people have typed their language over the years.
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/de/b8/deb8b6a9-282a-492c-a1b6-e2924e5855d3/nmv09426.jpg)
The family-owned facility in Tennessee produces more than 70 million pencils annually
The writing system is 6,000 years old, but its influence is still felt today
…and how they got that way
Industrial genius Carl Braun believed that clear thinking and clear communication go hand in hand. Here the guide on writing productively to get things done.
The rise, fall, and rediscovery of cuneiform
Paul Laurence Dunbar became the first Black writer to earn international acclaim through his poetry, essays and musical lyrics.
This article will discuss content syndication in more detail, how it works, and the benefits of using this technique.
George Stebbins was tearing down a stone wall in the cellar of his home in Northfield, Massachusetts when he uncovered the bones. A skull emerged first, then the spine and the bones of the arms and…
https://youtu.be/txci5QkpSWc Writing things by hand has become fashionable again despite the prevalence of computers and smartphones. In fact, some have embraced this "analog" system of note-taking exactly as a reaction to the dominant reliance on technology. Whatever the reason, this resurgence in demand for paper products might also have negative effects on the environment when
21K votes, 289 comments. 5.5M subscribers in the coolguides community. Picture based reference guides for anything and everything. If it seems like…
A personal tribute to the overlooked genius of writer W.C. Heinz.
A deep dive into writing detailed planning docs from one of the most successful companies in the world
The Sumerians, Maya and other ancient cultures created texts that have lasted hundreds and even thousands of years. Here's what they can teach us about crafting an immortal message.
These five tactics will help simplify and clarify your technical copy.
The most tearjerking, hilarious, satisfying, and shocking death scenes in 2,500 years of culture.
Here are 14 persuasive writing techniques that will make your website appeal to visitors and increase your conversion rates.
Patience and empathy are the basis of good documentation, much as they are the basis for being a decent person. Here's a how-to for creating better open source project docs, which can help your users and grow your community.
“Writing is thinking” is my favorite expression for how to work in a company. This annotated thread explores the value of writing.
Before fame, Kurt Vonnegut wrote a master's thesis on the shapes of stories for the anthropology department at the University of Chicago.
Writer @GretchenMdm9524 gives a brief history of 1929's 10 Commandments for Detective Fiction and offers some modern updates.
Paying with a smartphone is easier than ever. Innovative mobile payment apps are providing consumers with new ways to exchange money with peers, purchase
The basic building blocks of storytelling
The singular form of 'they' has been endorsed by writers like Jane Austen and William Shakespeare.
Telling a story is the most powerful way to activate our brains . If you want to become a better storyteller, UCLA Film School Howard Suber says you
There are words which have special meaning within each culture and carry power where they are used.
Andrew Kevin Walker, writer of the movie "Seven", gives five tips on how to improve your writing.
Harvard Business Review - When you send an email, the first thing your recipient sees is the subject line, so make sure it’s as clear as possible: What is your email’s purpose? What do you want your recipient to do? Take a page from military personnel. Their subject lines use keywords in all caps to note the email’s …
Don’t waste space with “I’m writing to apply…”
Next month, the doyen of hardboiled crime writers is publishing a new book, 10 Rules of Writing. The following is a brief summary of his advice
Thicker ink meant it didn't smudge as easily as its predecessor, the fountain pen—but it also made writing by hand more physically demanding.
Three documents I write (one-pager, design doc, after-action review) and how I structure them.
:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs26162.pcdn.co%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2Fthe-lottery.jpg)
From Washington Irving to Kristen Roupenian.
The origin of the editor’s mark “TK” is murky. It’s what you write when there’s a fact or addition you’re waiting on. Instead of stopping everything, simply type…
We like lists because they are an objectively good way to organize information. They allow readers to quickly and easily get what they want.
On the value of unconscious association, or why the best advice is no advice.
Maybe it has happened to you: a stranger catches your eye while you peruse the plant identification section of the library, or wander a mossy hillock speckled with Amanita bisporigera, or shuffle a…
"Paper is not going away, it's not going anywhere," CEO Daniela Riccardi said. Here's how she's keeping it relevant for consumers.
:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs26162.pcdn.co%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F04%2Fo-75-900-1.jpg)
No-nonsense advice with a little bit of nonsense.
We draw on years of testing to crown the best beginner fountain pen, best gel pen, best pen for note-taking, and more. Each recommendation includes links to related guides so that you can evaluate the competition for yourself.
Similarities between good writing and good code.
With Japan’s rich traditions in paper, it’s no wonder that paper is such a big part of Japanese culture. Keep reading to learn more about why paper is so important in Japan—plus, take a look at a few of our favorite Japanese paper companies.
David Owen’s 2000 Profile of George Meyer: Humor has to reframe reality, Meyer says. “It’s like seeing in two dimensions and then opening the other eye or looking through a View-Master and suddenly seeing in three.”
:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fi2.wp.com%2Fdariusforoux.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F03%2Feffective-writing.jpeg%3Ffit%3D665%252C499%26ssl%3D1)
If you think about it, you accomplish most daily tasks with writing.
:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Fwwfeatures%2Flive%2F976_549%2Fimages%2Flive%2Fp0%2F31%2Fc3%2Fp031c34v.jpg)
For most people, a stray comma isn’t the end of the world. But in some cases, the exact placement of a punctuation mark can cost huge sums of money.
Learn how to write well. Topics include figuring out what to write about, how to write an introduction, the writing process, writing style, and copyediting.
Chekhov's gun is a narrative principle that states that every element in a story must be necessary and irrelevant elements should be removed. For example, if a writer features a gun in a story, there must be a reason for it, such as it being fired some time later in the plot. All elements must eventually come into play at some point in the story. Some authors, such as Hemingway, do not agree with this principle.
:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-syndicated-images%2Farticles%2F99%2F1566572787_5d2336edf385b.jpg)
From the ones you know to a few new tricks. Pleonasm, anyone?
Writers keep notebooks because ideas come in the most unexpected of places. Notebooks contain a junkyard of treasures waiting to be discovered. They provide ports of entry to the imagination. And as Joan Didion once wrote, a place to keep “on nodding terms with the people we used to be”. Thomas Hardy kept four … Continue reading "Raymond Chandler’s Guide to Street, Hoodlum, and Prison Lingo"
Having trouble developing the plot of a story? You aren't alone—this is no small task. But that doesn't mean it's impossible. This guide is here to help.
5 tips on putting together a recommendation to help a young adult
Wattpad is turning these user-generated stories into books, TV shows, and movies.
Could the creator economy provide a better one?
The first major interview with one of the most revered comedy writers of all time.
Communicating better can help you achieve your goals and deepen your relationships.
Want to get your cold email to investors opened and read? Learn from the tips of some of the top VC investors.
Sometimes, it really is what you say that makes a difference.
It’s not only writer’s intuition. Use personality psychology to create just the right blend of surprise and believability
A comprehensive list of logical fallacies, with definitions, explanations, and examples that are easy-to-understand.
Over the past five years, I’ve written nearly 400 articles and reached millions of readers. Here's my process for writing articles.
Note-taking is fast, uses the original author's language, and feels easier. Note-making is slower, more involved, and uses your own language.
He wanted to learn about the Miami drug world and had been told I could help.
How we evolved to read is a story of one creative species.
In his new book, data journalist Ben Blatt takes a by-the-numbers look at literary classics and finds some fascinating patterns
Swiped, Best Copywriting Inspiration→ https://swiped.co/ Marketing Examples on Copywriting→ https://marketingexamples.
BLUF is a military communications acronym—it stands for “bottom line up front”—that’s designed to enforce speed and clarity in reports and emails.
Learning to write is learning to think, because writing is thinking. They are two peas in a powerful pod. This article goes over my writing process, focused on minimizing the activation energy to get started.
Nature - The Pulitzer prizewinner shares his advice for pleasing readers, editors and yourself.
“Did you see the badge number or nameplate of the officer who hit you?” I heard myself say as I played back the interview tape. “No.” As the tinny reply sounded in my headphones, I could picture th…
Increase your sales with the tips from the Step-by-Step Copywriting Secrets.
:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fhbr.org%2Fresources%2Fimages%2Farticle_assets%2F2016%2F11%2Fnov16-22169984846.jpg)
A few tips on how to quickly and clearly relay information and avoid miscommunication.
The author works a 20-hour shift, loves chocolate, and writes best in her cashmere nightgown.
I like to write, and when I do, I prefer writing in markdown. Lately, people have been asking my writing process involves, so I decided to write it down in this short post. This is my process and in no way should you feel obligated to use it. Hopefully, this
:extract_focal()/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fpocket-syndicated-images%2Farticles%2F69%2F1566572203_asds.jpg)
How work schedules, rituals, and writing environments affect the amount and quality of time invested in trying to write.
In 2003, with what felt like an angel on my shoulder, I wrote a story that became a myth. It was a once-in-a-lifetime piece. An emblem for human courage in the face of adversity, and an inspiration for motorcyclists like me, that swept the world in its small way. It would have been the story […]
Learn how open source tools can help you be more productive in 2019. First up, the Joplin note-taking app.
Write copy that delights visitors, persuades prospects, and wins customers.
There’s a term in copyediting called “stet.” That’s what you write when you want the copyeditor to not make the indicated change. It’s probably Latin for, “leave…
No matter how good our intentions, sometimes we do incredibly stupid things, like lose a suitcase full of priceless writings. In this article, learn how to recognize the potential for stupidity before it happens.
Insider gathered advice from successful entrepreneurs on turning passions into profitable businesses.
Tech specs have more utility than most engineers realize.