Economical Writing audiobook cover - Thirty-Five Rules for Clear and Persuasive Prose

Economical Writing

Thirty-Five Rules for Clear and Persuasive Prose

Deirdre Nansen McCloskey

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Economical Writing
The Nature of Writing+
Core Rules & Rhetoric+
Process & Purpose+
Precision in Language+
Punctuation & Typography+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the text, how should professionals view the skill of writing?
  • A. As an innate talent that only a select few literary geniuses possess.
  • B. As a secondary tool used merely to record fully formed thoughts and research.
  • C. As a learnable instrument of thought, similar to mathematics, that refines ideas.
  • D. As an administrative task that should be delegated to specialized editors.
Question 2 of 7
What is 'elegant variation' in the context of writing, and why does the author advise against it?
  • A. The practice of using different words for the same concept to avoid repetition, which often confuses the reader.
  • B. The technique of alternating sentence lengths, which disrupts the natural rhythm of the prose.
  • C. The excessive use of classical rhetoric, which makes modern writing sound outdated and pompous.
  • D. The habit of writing in multiple drafts, which wastes time and dilutes the original message.
Question 3 of 7
Which of the following correctly describes the classical rhetoric step of 'invention'?
  • A. Creating new vocabulary words to explain complex technical concepts.
  • B. Generating and developing strong ideas and exploring different angles for arguments.
  • C. Organizing your thoughts into a logical and coherent structure.
  • D. Refining your choice of words, sentence structure, and overall tone.
Question 4 of 7
When does the author suggest you should begin the writing process?
  • A. Only after all your research is fully complete and analyzed.
  • B. Early on, even before your research feels complete, because writing helps reveal gaps in your knowledge.
  • C. After you have created a comprehensive outline approved by your peers.
  • D. Once you have established the perfect tone and style for your target audience.
Question 5 of 7
What simple but powerful technique does the author recommend to ensure your writing flows well and sounds natural?
  • A. Running the text through multiple grammar-checking software programs.
  • B. Translating the text into a different language and back again.
  • C. Reading your work out loud to catch awkward phrasing and check the rhythm.
  • D. Having someone who knows nothing about the topic read it silently.
Question 6 of 7
How does the author suggest improving the precision of your word choice, particularly regarding abstract terms?
  • A. Replace simple words with specialized jargon to establish authority.
  • B. Use broad terms like 'process' or 'concept' to appeal to a wider audience.
  • C. Choose specific and concrete language, such as saying 'sheep and wheat' instead of 'natural resource-oriented exports.'
  • D. Add descriptive adjectives and adverbs to make abstract concepts sound more poetic.
Question 7 of 7
According to the text, what is a potential consequence of excessively using italics or quotation marks for emphasis?
  • A. It can make your writing appear overly technical and inaccessible.
  • B. It can give the impression that your writing lacks confidence.
  • C. It makes the text look too much like a casual conversation.
  • D. It disrupts the logical connection between independent clauses.

Economical Writing — Full Chapter Overview

Economical Writing Summary & Overview

Economical Writing (1986) offers a concise guide to crafting clear and effective prose, particularly in the field of economics. Through thirty-five practical rules, it provides strategies for improving writing at every level, from overall structure to individual word choice, making it a valuable resource for writers looking to elevate their work.

Who Should Listen to Economical Writing?

  • Students looking to improve their academic writing
  • Professionals aiming to enhance their communication skills
  • Writers seeking to refine their prose and clarity

About the Author: Deirdre Nansen McCloskey

Deirdre Nansen McCloskey is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and Emerita Distinguished Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, with a distinguished career spanning economics, history, English, and communication. Known for her interdisciplinary work, she’s authored over 25 books and 500 articles on a wide range of topics, from economic history to rhetoric and feminism. Among her best-known works are The Rhetoric of Economics, Crossing, and the Bourgeois Era trilogy, which explores the economic and social history behind the modern world’s prosperity.

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