Simplify By Henrik Zinsser Summary

Zinsser has a unique opinion on how to write well. Many of Zinsser’s ideas counter what have been shoved into our developing minds throughout school. The teachers of our past would definitely have put a frowning face on Zinsser’s work—it goes against what they preach to us in English class. The ideas of being able to simplify my writing and to use first person goes directly against what I have been taught in the past.
Repeatedly, I have been educated to use exceedingly larger words throughout my career as a student-writer. But what difference is there if I said “I was always told to use bigger words when I wrote as a student”? Zinsser shows this point in the second chapter of his work. He says that focusing on using large words to sound intelligent, ends with a mess that makes the author sound idiotic. Zinsser then says, instead of building up on a tremulous foundation, one should reduce the grandiose and focus on the necessary structure; “Simplify, simplify.” Zinsser writes that many authors …show more content…
At least, my former teachers would deride my actions. Zinsser would approve. He places value on the individuality of the writer, so he praises first person point of view. Zinsser brings up the fact that through the years writing has been made easier—first pen and paper, then typewriters, and finally computers. But what is the only thing not changed? The writer has never been upgraded. All writing is still done by human hands, so every written work should be unique and have a powerful voice—as if the author is reading it himself. Instead, most works are weak in voice or the author’s personality is blocked by third person point of view. One may think, “I have no view to give because I am not an expert.” Are we all not human? Zinsser says everybody is capable of a good idea, so first person is a fine point of view. I, honestly, do not mind first