38 pages • 1 hour read
John TrimbleWriting with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing
Nonfiction | Reference/Text Book | Adult | Published in 1975A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Trimble argues that good writing is the result of good thinking. What’s the connection between the two, and how does he define good thinking?
Trimble argues that informal, straightforward language is far superior to stuffy, formal English. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Exclamation marks are called “screamers” in newspaper parlance. What does Trimble suggest about the use of screamers in essays?
In Chapters 12-14, Trimble dives into eight different types of punctuation. Which kind of punctuation—semicolons, colons, dashes, etc.—do you find to be the hardest to use and why?
Why does Trimble demand that writers read every single sentence of their prose aloud? What benefit does that provide?
Trimble often references conscious writers versus unconscious writers. Describe the differences between the two.
On Page 17, Trimble writes that “The ultimate way you sell a reader is by courteously serving him—that is, satisfying his needs.” What does he mean by this? How can an author serve their reader?
What are some methods that Trimble lays out for signposting in an essay?
Create a short list of struggles you tend to face in your own writing. How will you address them when drafting future essays?
