First You Write a Sentence
by Joe Moran · first published 2018
83% recommend17% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Short, practical essays on the craft of sentences, covering how sound and rhythm carry meaning. It serves writers seeking to improve their own prose and is worthwhile for anyone who loves good prose.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
"The sentence is the common ground where every writer walks. A good sentence can be written (and read) by anyone if we simply give it the gift of our time, and it is as close as most of us will get to making something truly beautiful. Using minimal technical terms and sources ranging from the Bible and Shakespeare to George Orwell and Maggie Nelson, as well as scientific studies of what can best fire the reader's mind, author Joe Moran shows how we can all write in a way that is clear, compelling and alive. Whether dealing with finding the ideal word, building a sentence, or constructing a par
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…communicate. I see that it is important to get the text on the page, but I can't seem to move on until I can't reduce the writing before losing meaning. A book people might find interesting is Joe Moran’s "First You Write a Sentence: The Elements of Reading, Writing … and Life". He examines writing from the ground up. I found it a really wonderful book to read. Each sentence in it is great.
on “Show HN: Avoid editing while writing your first draft” ↗The following books below might be of help to you. 1. First You Write a Sentence by Joe Moran - https://amzn.to/3m2Hq8N 2. Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose - https://amzn.to/3dEXY3M 3. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King - https://amzn.to/3mfLFhF In terms of…
on “Ask HN: Good resources on learning how to write” ↗Good point. Speaking of the art of writing good sentences, I heartily recommend "First You Write a Sentence" by Joe Moran.
on “Write Like You Code” ↗As a writing manual, I am also a big fan of "First You Write a Sentence" by Joe Moran.
on “Writing one sentence per line” ↗My recommendation is First You Write a Sentence. by Joe Moran. It feels like a recent classic and I re-read chapters all the time.
on “What to read to become a better writer” ↗I used to think this way about prose too, but a book called "First You Write a Sentence" by Moran changed my assumption on this one. As Moran points out, the "sound" of writing conveys meaning in itself. A little flourish, so long as it's not distracting, can improve the clarity of a sentence…
on “How to Write English Prose” ↗It's definitely nothing new but good advice bears repeating over the decades :) For big picture stuff on writing I also like "On Writing Well" by William Zissner and "First You Write A Sentence" by Joe Moran (which is a bit more British).
on “What I think about when I edit (2019)” ↗Related book recommendation: "First, You Write a Sentence", by Joe Moran. Even if you're not aspiring to improve your own writing, and you simply love to read, it's really worthwhile.
on “On Writing Well” ↗Love it. I also really enjoyed the book "First You Write a Sentence" by Joe Moran https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/607260/first-you-wr...
on “Writing as Transformation” ↗See also "First, You Write a Sentence" by Joe Moran.
on “How to write more clearly, think more clearly, and learn complex material [pdf]” ↗See also the excellent book "First You Write a Sentence" by Joe Moran.
on “Defending adverbs exuberantly if conditionally” ↗- Permutation City — Greg Egan - She Said — Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey - Conclave — Robert Harris - First You Write a Sentence — Joe Moran - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine — Gail Honeyman - The Master and Margarita — Mikhail Bulgakov More books here -> https://pastebin.com/XVeacpHM
on “Ask HN: What did you read in 2025?” ↗