» advanced search
subscribe & win

Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win FREE books.

your e-mail address Send!

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Cover may not depict edition offered for sale

available COPIES

 

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Knowlton Zinsser

About this title: A beloved classic, this definitive volume on the art of nonfiction writing celebrates its 30th anniversary. Revised seven times, it has stood the test of time and remains a valued resource for writers.

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.

Page 1 of 4   change currency
sort by
On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction used book

On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Knowlton Zinsser

price: $1.99

Ships from IN, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

ISBN-13: 9780062735232 ISBN: 0062735233

Description: Very Good. Great condition for a used book! Minimal wear. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: Better World Books, IN, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction used book

On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Knowlton Zinsser

price: $1.99

Ships from IN, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

ISBN-13: 9780062735232 ISBN: 0062735233

Description: Good. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Better World Books, IN, USA

Reliability: Best

used book

On Writing Well the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser

price: $1.99

Ships from MD, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Edition: Sixth Revised and Updated Binding: Hardcover Publisher: Harperperennial Date Published: 1/1/1998 ISBN-13: 9780965647625 ISBN: 0965647625

Description: Very good. read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: Ukazoo Books, MD, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction used book

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by Zinsser, William Knowlton

price: $1.99

Ships from WA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Edition: 6th Revised and Updated ed. Binding: Trade paperback Publisher: HarperResource Date Published: 1998 ISBN-13: 9780062735232 ISBN: 0062735233

Description: Good. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 308 p. read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Great Buy Books, WA, USA

Reliability: Best

used book

On Writing Well the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser

price: $1.99

Ships from DC, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Hardcover ISBN-13: 9780965647625 ISBN: 0965647625

Description: Good. Book is in good reading condition. Book shows little wear. Dust jacket has light wear/rounding at edges. Dust jacket included. read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Thrift It, DC, USA

Reliability: Best

used book

On Writing Well the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser

price: $2.00

Ships from WA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Hardcover Publisher: HarperPerennial ISBN-13: 9780965647625 ISBN: 0965647625

Description: Fair. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more

condition:

Book: Fair

 

seller information:

Name: Green Earth Books, WA, USA

Reliability: Best

used book

On Writing Well the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser

price: $2.00

Ships from WA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Hardcover Publisher: HarperPerennial ISBN-13: 9780965647625 ISBN: 0965647625

Description: Good. Light shelf wear and minimal interior marks. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Green Earth Books, WA, USA

Reliability: Best

used book

On Writing Well the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser

price: $2.02

Ships from WA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Hardcover Publisher: HarperPerennial ISBN-13: 9780965647625 ISBN: 0965647625

Description: Very good. Book has appearance of light use with no easily noticeable wear. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: Green Earth Books, WA, USA

Reliability: Best

used book

On Writing Well the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser

price: $7.34

Ships from MD, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Edition: Sixth Revised and Updated Binding: Hardcover Publisher: Harperperennial Date Published: 1/1/1998 ISBN-13: 9780965647625 ISBN: 0965647625

Description: Very good. read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: Ukazoo Books, MD, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction used book

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by Zinsser, William

price: $7.50

Ships from TN, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Paperback Publisher: Harpercollins, NY Date Published: 2006 ISBN-13: 9780060891541 ISBN: 0060891548

Description: VG. 7th revised Edition; Minor shelf wear. Pages clean, binding solid.; 321 pages. read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: Samkat Books, TN, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction used book

On Writing Well the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser

price: $8.49

Ships from FL, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Edition: Sixth Edition Binding: Hardcover Publisher: HarperPerennial, USA Date Published: 1998 ISBN-13: 9780965647625 ISBN: 0965647625

Description: Fine in very good dust jacket. New book perfect condition. Name inside front cover. Dust jacket has a crease from mis-shelving. read more

condition:

Book: Fine/Like New

 

seller information:

Name: FloridaHouse, FL, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (on Writing Well) new book

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (on Writing Well)

by William K. Zinsser

price: $8.75

Ships from TN, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

ISBN-13: 9780060891541 ISBN: 0060891548

Description: New. GREAT BUY! Brand New From US Distributor! WE ARE A 5 STAR SELLER with OVER 3, 500, 000 BOOKS SOLD! read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: >10

 

seller information:

Name: Smoky Mountain Books, TN, USA

Reliability: Best

new book

On Writing Well the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser

price: $9.97

Ships from NC, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Hardcover Publisher: HarperPerennial Date Published: 1998-01-01 ISBN-13: 9780965647625 ISBN: 0965647625

Description: New. Hardback w/ DJ. You are buying a Book in NEW condition with very light shelf wear to include very light edge and corner wear. Buy it Now! ! ! As always, thank you for buying this book from International Book Source, YOUR ONE source FOR ALL your BOOK related NEEDS. Please remember to CHOOSE carefully how QUICKLY you would like to RECEIVE this material FAST, or standard (on next page). Thanks again! ! ! ! read more

condition:

Book: New

 

seller information:

Name: INTERNATIONAL BOOK SOURCE, NC, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction used book

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by Zinsser, William Knowlton

price: $10.00

Ships from MI, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Edition: 6th Revised and Updated ed. Binding: Trade paperback Publisher: HarperResource Date Published: 1998 ISBN-13: 9780062735232 ISBN: 0062735233

Description: Fine. No dust jacket as issued. As-new softcover, completely clean and tight, appears unread. No marks, flaws, or bumps upon careful inspection. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 308 p. Audience: General/trade. read more

condition:

Book: Fine/Like New

 

seller information:

Name: HiraEnterprises, MI, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (on Writing Well) new book

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (on Writing Well)

by William K. Zinsser

price: $11.30

Ships from MI, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Paperback Publisher: Collins Date Published: 2006 ISBN-13: 9780060891541 ISBN: 0060891548

Description: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark. -Great Buy! -100% Satisfaction Guarantee. read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: >10

 

seller information:

Name: BargainBookStores, MI, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction used book

On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by Zinsser, William...

price: $11.88

Ships from NJ, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

ISBN-13: 9780062735232 ISBN: 0062735233

Description: Fine. Stated 1st Edition. Excellent condition. Appears unread. No marks/underlines/highlights. Pages are clean and tight. Satisfaction guaranteed! read more

condition:

Book: Fine/Like New

 

seller information:

Name: xyzbook123, NJ, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction new book

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by Zinsser, William

price: $13.87

Ships from NV, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24. Eligible for Super Value Shipping

Binding: Trade paperback Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Date Published: 2006 ISBN-13: 9780060891541 ISBN: 0060891548

Description: New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 321 p. read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: >10

 

seller information:

Name: Alibris, NV, USA
Eligible for free shipping

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction used book

On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by Zinsser, William...

price: $14.00

Ships from VT, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Hardcover ISBN-13: 9780062735232 ISBN: 0062735233

Description: Very good; Collectible. 1979 Harper & Row hard cover edition with fine dust jacket-minor staining at page edge-otherwise this is a fine clean solid tight copy. read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: Twice Sold Tales, VT, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well: an Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction, 1st Ed used book

On Writing Well: an Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction, 1st Ed

by Zinsser, William K.

price: $14.22

Ships from KY, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Edition: 1st Edition Binding: Softcover Publisher: Harper Perennial, New York, New York Date Published: 1998 ISBN-13: 9780062735232 ISBN: 0062735233

Description: Used Good. Some very minor marking in text, shelf and corner wear to cover. read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: A2ZBooks, KY, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction new book

On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by Zinsser, William Knowlton

price: $14.41

Ships from GA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Softcover Publisher: Harpercollins Date Published: 2006-05-31 ISBN-13: 9780060891541 ISBN: 0060891548

Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780060891541. read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: >10

 

seller information:

Name: MediaCompass LLC, GA, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (on Writing Well) new book

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (on Writing Well)

by William K. Zinsser

price: $14.93

Ships from CO, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Paperback Publisher: Collins Date Published: 2006 ISBN-13: 9780060891541 ISBN: 0060891548

Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more

condition:

Book: New

 

seller information:

Name: UniversalAthenaeum, CO, USA

Reliability: Best

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction new book

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by Zinsser, William

price: $14.99

Ships from TX, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Edition: 30th Anniversary ed. Binding: Trade paperback Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Date Published: 2006 ISBN-13: 9780060891541 ISBN: 0060891548

Description: New. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 321 p. Audience: General/trade. read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: 10

 

seller information:

Name: fastNreliable2U, TX, USA

Reliability: Best

used book

On Writing Well the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser

price: $1.99

Ships from GA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Hardcover Publisher: HarperPerennial ISBN-13: 9780965647625 ISBN: 0965647625

Description: Good. Book shows minor use. Cover and Binding have minimal wear and the pages have only minimal creases. A tradition of southern quality and service. All books guaranteed at the Atlanta Book Company. read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Atlanta Book Company, GA, USA

Reliability: High

On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction used book

On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Knowlton Zinsser

price: $1.99

Ships from GA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Softcover Publisher: HarperResource ISBN-13: 9780062735232 ISBN: 0062735233

Description: Good. Book shows minor use. Cover and Binding have minimal wear and the pages have only minimal creases. A tradition of southern quality and service. All books guaranteed at the Atlanta Book Company. read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Atlanta Book Company, GA, USA

Reliability: High

used book

On Writing Well the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser

price: $1.99

Ships from GA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Hardcover Publisher: HarperPerennial ISBN-13: 9780965647625 ISBN: 0965647625

Description: Good. Book shows minor use. Cover and Binding have minimal wear and the pages have only minimal creases. A tradition of southern quality and service. All books guaranteed at the Atlanta Book Company. read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Atlanta Book Company, GA, USA

Reliability: High


Page 1 of 4: 1 2 3 4 Next>

*What is a Wishlist?

Reviews of {0} by {1}
goodreads rating 4 out of 5 4 out of 5
Oct 13, 2009
By Christine, Lansing, MI

"This is a classic for all writers, no matter the genre. It reminds us to take time with out writing and create good writing, not just pound out the sentences to get the job done. Writing is a craft that takes time, patience, experience and imagination. After reading this, I went back over some of my own recent writing and noticed several places where it could be improved. I keep this on my bookshelf in the "do not give away" section!"

Share this review Facebook Digg DelIcioUs
goodreads rating 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
Sep 9, 2009
By M.C., The United States

"William Zinsser did not sell more than a million copies of On Writing Well by writing for the APA only. Zinsser was successful because he wrote for the average reader by writing for himself. He conveyed his identity in his work by writing from his perspective. The uniqueness of Zinsser's voice and ideas are fresh to the reader, who wants to read anything but a 300-paged address about grammar's conventional rules. Zinsser also avoided condescension in his tone by writing for himself. Who would condescend himself? The average reader can recognize when he is belittled regardless of how plain he is. According to Zinsser, the reader wants to figure out the meaning of the text by himself. The clarity in Zinsser's writing, which has few words with more than syllables but many contractions, is clear enough. Zinsser's writing is clear because Zinsser must understand his own writing when he writes for himself. Clarity and brevity are among Zinsser's treasured virtues in writing because the reader is human and impatient.

Another piece of advice conveyed in this book is that writers should write about what they like. If one were to write about his interests, he would know his subjects and have the drive to write about them.

Although On Writing Well probably offends every one who strictly condemns the placement of "But" at the beginning of a sentence or the casual usage of contractions, it yet offers invaluable advice to those who wants to write but is confined by the fear of writing, which is everyone."

Share this review Facebook Digg DelIcioUs
goodreads rating 4 out of 5 4 out of 5
Aug 28, 2009
By april violet, Nashville, TN

"Of all books I have read about writing, this one is the most accessible and useful. It's a practical guide on how to be clear and concise in nonfiction writing. William Zinsser's tone is conversational and his sense of humor made me chuckle.

It's good to know that Zinsser thinks that a sentence is a fine thing for a preposition to be put at the end of. And it's ok to begin a sentence with a conjunction. I don't agree with everything he says, but he makes good points about what works with nonfiction writing and what doesn't.

I would give the book 5 stars for the sections on technique. The rest of the book covers styles of nonfiction writing and gets 3 stars. I plan to buy a copy for my collection of reference books."

Share this review Facebook Digg DelIcioUs
goodreads rating 3 out of 5 3 out of 5
Jun 27, 2009
By Will, Grand Isle, VT

"These are just part of the notes I have to take for school
1. Simplicity - What does it mean to have simplicity in your writing? What are some steps to attaining it?
2. Clutter - What does it look like not to have clutter in your writing? Give some examples.
3. Style - According to Zinsser, where does style come from?
4. Audience - Who does Zinsser say is your most important audience? Which of his 3 example excerpts
do you like best and why?
5. Words - What is a cliché? What are some that you've heard today?
6. Usage - What does Zinsser say about using the same verb tense throughout a piece? What should
every successful piece of nonfiction leave the reader with?
7. The Lead and The Ending - What is the importance of a good lead? What does it mean to bring a story
full circle?
8. Bits and Pieces
Define these terms in your own words or Zinsser's. (Please DO NOT look them up in the dictionary:

Verbs:
Exclamation Point:
Adverbs:
Dash:
Adjectives:
Semicolon:
Little Qualifiers:
Overstatement:
Paragraphs:
Rewriting:
Sexism (as relates to pronouns):"

Share this review Facebook Digg DelIcioUs
  1-4 of 18    Next page  
See all reviews of On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Knowlton Zinsser

 

 
Overall customer rating:
3.9 out of 5 3.9 out of 5
17 of 18 (94%) customers said they would recommend this book to a friend.

Our Money-Back Guarantee

We guarantee every item's condition, as described on Alibris. If you are not satisfied that an item is as described, return your purchase for a refund.