A Journalistic Approach to Good Writing: The Craft of Clarity

Rating:
Summary: Strunk's "Elements of Style" takes a back seat
Review: Knight sets forth not just principles for clearly expressing what you say, he offers proven guidelines for first determining what you want to say. It's all about writing, yes; but more importantly, it's about getting read. The author gets all the proven basics right, plus he offers fresh insights into what this discipline called communications is all about. It's also a great read, full of illuminating stories and expamples. Even battle-hardened journalists will get a little something from this book. The rest of us will get much more.

Rating:
Summary: The Craft of Clarity
Review: More than anything else, Robert Knight's "The Craft of
Clarity" jogs the writer's memory: "Oh, yes. That's
what I set out to do - communicate, tell a story, get
another human being to read, understand and be
affected by something I've written."
It's an easy goal to lose sight of, especially when pitted
against the goal of getting the facts out there. Author Bob Knight argues that the two need not be in competition
and reminds writers that getting the facts "out there"
is futile if the "out there" fails to tempt the
reader. With humor, examples and exercises, Knight gives writers ways to avoid those murky writing swamps that are so easy to get bogged down in and so effective in keeping readers away.
Written for all writers, "The Craft of Clarity" shows how using the tools of good journalism can help in all communication. It covers everything - from how to shape a story and write
a lede, to how to avoid the passive voice,
jargon and cliché. It also addresses some often overlooked but essential aspects of writing powerfully, including how to not only write honestly but appear to be writing honestly.
Knight's enthusiasm for clear writing and love of the English language come through each page of the book, and cannot help but infect and inspire.
A University of Colorado, Boulder, J-School graduate, Knight currently teaches journalism and English composition at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He is a veteran reporter who worked in Denver and Albuquerque, and served as senior editor and broadcast editor of the City News Bureau of Chicago.
- Review by Yasmin Hahn, reporter, Sangre de Cristo Chronicle, Angel Fire, NM USA
- NOTE: Marcia and Guy Wood are co-publishers of the Sangre de Cristo Chronicle in Angel Fire, NM and are so impressed with Knight's book that we've purchased 3 copies to give to our reporters, including Hahn. A great tool for working journlaists, whether greenhorns or grouchy with green eyesahdes.

Rating:
Summary: A top-notch primer
Review: Well, I'm not ready to throw away my 1972 printing of Strunk & White's Elements of Style, but I've got the Craft of Clarity right next to it on my desk. So often style and grammar gurus are pedantic and painfully dull. Not Knight. Easy to read; clear and precise. The best primer available that I know of -- after Strunk and White.