Two writers show you how to turn a worthy sentence into a memorable one. Starting where The Elements of Style leaves off, Good Writing (Avery) can improve your book, your essay, your memo, your blog post, speech or script. These essential rules for persuasive language work on any type of writing, and anyone can learn them quickly.
Each rule is accompanied by examples and a lively pair of essays, the first by Neal Allen, who developed the list of tips over the course of his journalism and corporate careers; the second by his wife, Anne Lamott, acclaimed author of Bird by Bird and 19 other nonfiction works and novels. The authors don’t always agree on the specifics, but they are passionate about making better sentences.
Allen is a writer, spiritual coach, and speaker. He is the author of Shapes of Truth and Better Days. Lamott is the author of 20 books, including the New York Times bestsellers Somehow; Help, Thanks, Wow; Dusk, Night, Dawn; Traveling Mercies; and Bird by Bird. In 2025, she keynoted “The Virtual Erma: Stories of Our Lives.”