Writing Tools
by Roy Peter Clark · first published 2006
88% recommend13% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Practical, snack-sized tips on writing craft that readers can dip into independently and apply right away; often recommended for anyone wanting to improve their prose and drill specific techniques.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
One of America 's most influential writing teachers offers a toolbox from which writers of all kinds can draw practical inspiration."Writing is a craft you can learn," says Roy Peter Clark. "You need tools, not rules." His book distills decades of experience into 50 tools that will help any writer become more fluent and effective. WRITING TOOLS covers everything from the most basic ("Tool 5: Watch those adverbs") to the more complex ("Tool 34: Turn your notebook into a camera") and provides more than 200 examples from literature and journalism to illustrate the concepts. For students, aspi
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2010–2026Steering the Craft
Ursula K. Le Guin
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 53 recommend · 5 mention3 recommend · 53 recommend
2010–2026Writing to learn
William Zinsser
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 85 recommend · 8 mention5 recommend · 85 recommend
2007–2026On Writing Well
William Zinsser
Recommended by 137 · mentioned by 170137 recommend · 170 mention137 recommend · 170137 recommend
2008–2026Style
Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, Gregory G. Colomb
Recommended by 38 · mentioned by 4238 recommend · 42 mention38 recommend · 4238 recommend
2014–2026The Sense of Style
Steven Pinker, José C. Vales
Recommended by 45 · mentioned by 5645 recommend · 56 mention45 recommend · 5645 recommend
2007–2026The Elements of Style
William Strunk, Jr., E. B. White
Recommended by 131 · mentioned by 231131 recommend · 231 mention131 recommend · 231131 recommend
2009–2026Bird by Bird
Anne Lamott, Susan Bennett
Recommended by 31 · mentioned by 3731 recommend · 37 mention31 recommend · 3731 recommend
2007–2026Compilers, principles, techniques, and tools
Alfred V. Aho, Monica S. Lam, Ravi Sethi, Jeffrey D. Ullman
Recommended by 195 · mentioned by 659195 recommend · 659 mention195 recommend · 659195 recommend
…can analyse my writing along the "tips" detailed in this book (and explaining my writing weaknesses and suggesting how I can improve in those axes) I think it would invaluable! https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Tools-Essential-Strategies-Wr...
on “Ask HN: Am I the only one hurt by lack of writing skills?” ↗I recommend "Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer" by Roy Peter Clark. Expect improvement immediately. http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Tools-Essential-Strategies-Wri...
on “Ask HN: Effectively improving your writing ability” ↗Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Tools-Essential-Strategies-Wri... I highly recommend this book. Expect improvement immediately.
on “Ask HN: Good books for English writing?” ↗There are much better books that do a similar job. Try out Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark and A Sense of Style by Steven Pinker.
on “My Top 100 Programming, Computer and Science Books: Part One” ↗Also highly recommend Writing Tools: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51750.Writing_Tools
on “Write Simply” ↗…On Writing Well by William Zinsser 2. Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss 3. The Elements of Style by Strunk & White 4. The Sense of Style by Steven Pinker 5. The Writing Life by Annie Dillard 6. Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark 7. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott 8. The Art of Plain Talk by Rudolf Flesch 9. A Writer's Reference by Diana Hacker 10. Writing Science by Joshua Schimel
on “Ask HN: Non-technical books for technical people?” ↗Read books by Gary Provost on writing. Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark. Draft number 4 by McPhee. They contain a variety of ideas. Writing Tools is great if you want to identify and drill techniques. Provost's books cover everything and are written well.
on “Ask HN: How to Get Better at Writing?” ↗1. The Pragmatic Programmer. 2. Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer. 3. Diffusion of Innovations. 4. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing. 5. Implementing Lean Software Development: From Concept to Cash. 6. Writing to…
on “Ask HN: What are some no fluff books on engineering, career, and general wisdom?” ↗…more for style. As a kid and late into my adult hood I really sucked at writing. The kind of suckiness where you are deluded about your prowess based on length of prose! Then I found Roy Peter Clark's Writing Tools book. Full of snack sized tips that can be used independently. Heavy curtains lifted for me. I felt regret shame and optimism all at the same time. Reason I bring this up is one technique that got…
on “Chess outcast Hans Niemann says he was a top cyclist. Was he really?” ↗I think that might have been Arthur Quiller-Couch advising to "murder all your darlings", according to the book Writing Tools I was reading last night.
on “Ask HN: Which usernames do you recognise?” ↗