The Sense of Style

The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century

Steven Pinker

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker is a captivating guide that rethinks the art of writing. In this eloquent and illuminating book, Pinker brings together insights from linguistics, cognitive science, and other fields to offer a fresh perspective on crafting clear and stylish prose.

Drawing upon his extensive knowledge and expertise, Pinker debunks widespread misconceptions about language and grammar, ensuring that writers can navigate with confidence. He persuasively argues that language is not a set of rigid rules to be obeyed, but a tool to express ideas effectively. Through engaging examples and anecdotes, Pinker illustrates how to develop a sense of style that is both persuasive and delightful.

Pinker provides practical advice on various elements of writing, such as grammar, syntax, and punctuation, unraveling intricate concepts in a manner that is accessible and enjoyable. He emphasizes the importance of clarity and coherence, while encouraging writers to embrace creativity and flexibility within the confines of communication. With wit and wisdom, Pinker guides readers through the labyrinth of usage, dispelling common grammar myths and offering useful strategies for enhancing one's writing prowess.

Moreover, Pinker explores the digital age's impact on language and communication, highlighting the challenges and opportunities it presents. He emphasizes the need for precision and accuracy in an era where information is readily shared and consumed, while cautioning against the pitfalls of excessive jargon and obfuscation.

"The Sense of Style" is a masterpiece that unravels the mysteries of language and brings clarity to the art of writing. It equips readers with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to craft engaging and persuasive prose, ensuring their ideas resonate with clarity and impact. Filled with delightful anecdotes and astute observations, Pinker's book is an indispensable companion for anyone seeking to refine and enrich their writing skills.

Explore More Books

See All
The Right Call
I Am Not a Tractor
The Black Jacobins
The Anatomy of Buzz
The Remains Of The Day
The Etymologicon
The Moment of Lift
The Utopia of Rules
Technofeudalism
Fast Food Nation
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Plants of the Gods
Brute
The Upside of Stress
An American Marriage
Essays and Aphorisms
The Elephant in the Brain
The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Whiskey Know-It-All
Man's Search for Meaning
Loonshots
Security Analysis
Tent Life in Siberia
Impromptu
Richard Feynman
Talent Is Overrated
Rational Expectations
Harvesting the Biosphere
The Elements of Statistical Learning
Zoning Rules!
A Mathematician's Apology
Fundamentals of Plasma Physics
A Thousand Splendid Suns
In Pursuit of the Common Good
Breath From Salt
How Not To Be Wrong
Think and Grow Rich
Dynasty
Survival to Thrival
Recapturing The Spirit Of Enterprise
How to Teach Your Baby Math
Mission
Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Radical Uncertainty
Game Engine Black Book
Wealth of Wisdom
Eisenhower
World Order
The New Atlantis
Superforecasting
The Vital Question
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
Peter Pan
Eco-Farm
Batman
Thus Spoke the Plant
These Truths
The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert
The Giving Tree
Leonardo Da Vinci
The Medici Effect
The Machine Stops
The Great Gatsby
Patient Capital
From Third World to First
The Great Transformation
Getting It Done
The Inflamed Mind
Born To Run
Getting Real
Triumphs of Experience
The Madness of Crowds
The Theory of Investment Value
A Technique for Producing Ideas
The Future Is Faster Than You Think
Nexus
The Adventures of Henry Thoreau
Hoover Dam
Anthropic Bias
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
Intellectuals and Race
Innovating Out of Crisis
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Systems Medicine
Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life
Radical Candor
Hornblower Saga
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
How To Get Rich
The Amateur
Andrew Carnegie
The Overview Effect
Last Chance to See
Mohammed and Charlemagne
Competing in the Age of AI
Road to Wigan Pier
Live Free or Die
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Think on These Things
No Ordinary Time
The MAGA Doctrine