Just Writing: Exercises to improve your writing

The subject of this book is writing—what it is; how to do it; what one needs to know to teach others how to write.

Many people assume that the process of writing is essentially different when the person who learns is twenty-six instead of six or that only students (or “remedial” students) have problems learning what writing is and how to do it. 

The truth is that writing is a problem for most people in our society, whatever their age, educational level, or profession. Most people who make their living teaching writing are not different from anyone else in this respect—they find it a very hard chore and they avoid doing it whenever possible.

Starting from the fact that most people are troubled about writing, this text addresses the needs of anyone who is dissatisfied with his or her understanding of writing, whether as a learner or a teacher or both. It assumes, however, that most readers will be teachers and the sequence of topics is organized in a way they may find particularly beneficial.

It is difficult to gain new knowledge and awareness through reading because written texts provide words, not experience. So the book largely comprises practical exercises and experiments.