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The Sense of Style

The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century

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The Sense of Style

By: Steven Pinker
Narrated by: Arthur Morey
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Bad writing can't be blamed on the internet or on 'the kids today'. Good writing has always been hard: a performance requiring pretence, empathy and a drive for coherence. In The Sense of Style, cognitive scientist and linguist Steven Pinker uses the latest scientific insights to bring us a style and usage guide for the 21st century. What do skilful writers know about the link between syntax and ideas? How can we overcome the Curse of Knowledge, the difficulty in imagining what it's like not to know something we do? And can we distinguish the myths and superstitions from rules that enhance clarity and grace? As Pinker shows, everyone can improve their mastery of writing and their appreciation of the art (yes, 'their').

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2014 Steven Pinker (P)2019 Penguin Audio
Linguistics Writing & Publishing
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Critic reviews

"A superbly and clearly written celebration of the best, least fuzzy kind of writing." (Winner, Plain English Campaign's International Award 2014)

What listeners say about The Sense of Style

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The only grammar book I stuck to all the way

Pinker has a narrative in his books and all the tips he gives in here, he follows himself which makes people who appreciate his writing appreciate the tips in here as well. I also really like the narrator and how the descriptive and example parts of the book are recorded so that the listener can still follow quite easily. I appreciate the beginning chapters way more than the ending but even then the book kept my interest.

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6 people found this helpful

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Well worth a second listen/read

Steven Pinker introduces the classic writing style. He then breaks down, with helpful examples and amusing jokes, aspects of diction, syntax, semantics, and other elements of professional writing to get you to take grammar more seriously, and to avoid pitfalls to your reputation.

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    1 out of 5 stars

Ignores male readers.

Addressed exclusively and cravenly to the female reader. Annoying. Don't buy. Find another style manual.

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2 people found this helpful