The Writer's Art [Paperback]

James J. Kilpatrick (Author), William F. Buckley Jr. (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1985

"Writing comes in grades of quality in the fashion of beer and baseball games," says James J. Kilpatrick, "good, better, and best." With the experience of a lifetime of writing, he tells us, he wants to make a few judgment calls. And Jack Kilpatrick, master of the art, is as good as his word. In the tradition of Theodore Bernstein, Edwin Newman, and William Safire, James J. Kilpatrick gives us a finely crafted, witty guide to writing well. Written for laymen and professionals alike, The Writer's Art highlights techniques and examples of good writing. A section of the book called "My Crotchets and Your Crotchets" comprises more than 200 personal judgment calls, often controversial, often funny, on word usage.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (January 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0836279255
• ISBN-13: 978-0836279252
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Art Explained by the Master, July 17, 2001

By 

J. Babbin (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Writer's Art (Paperback)

Since I was a child, reading has always a favorite passtime, but writing always a chore.Through high school, college and law school, I wrote often, but only when I was required to do it. And I learned nothing about the joy of writing, and the enormous satisfaction writing can bring.

I bought my first copy of Jack Kilpatrick's "The Writer's Art" out of desperation. I knew I didn't write well, but I didn't know why. And then I read about the writer's "ear" for words and usage, read the humor of the Master Wordsmith, and learned the simple rules that someone should have (and probably did) explain years ago.

Jack Kilpatrick brings the English language to life, gives it motion and beauty in a way that no other writer has for me. "The Writer's Art" teaches rather than preaches. It tells you the whys and wherefores of "why" and "wherefore". It demonstrates, in terms anyone can understand, the powerful tools our language provides us. It shows the force of logic, and the weakness of confusion. It provides anyone who must write anything more complicated than a bank check a long string of lessons which can be used in everyday life.

All of us are judged by how well we speak and write. Get this book and read it. Set it aside for two months then read it again. You will think better of yourself, and others will think better of you.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book should never go out of print, July 3, 2002

By 

R. Tiedemann "Sunnye" (Bellevue, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Writer's Art (Hardcover)

It would be a shame if only writers read this one.

This is a book about the English language and what has happened and is happening to it. Kilpatrick writes that his purpose is to " venture a few suggestions, based on a lifetime as a writer, on how good writers can get to be better writers." He certainly does that,and in doing so, has put together one of the most entertaining as well as useful books extant on our language.

According to Kilpatrick, people care passionately about their language. (At least they used to.) He discusses some pet peeves: reundancies like "true facts," "free gift," rain shower,"free verse." "Free verse is to prosody as drip-and-dribble is to painting," he says.

He points out that all off us speak a variety of sub-languages. Kilpatrick claims to "speak a little Printing, fluent "Government," and pretty fair "Law." His wife, he says, speaks "Art. Whenever she reads of a 'light shade' or a 'dark tint,' she climbs a wall."

William F. Buckley, Jr. begins the book with a typically scintillating forward.

This book is full of tips for writers. Its information on the English language and Kilpatrick's poetic and witty style make it a delight for everyone.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading for Serious Writers, June 3, 2004

By 

loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Writer's Art (Hardcover)

In his introduction to The Writer's Art, James J. Kilpatrick states "My purpose in this book is primarily to venture a few suggestions, based upon a lifetime as a writer, on how good writers can bet to be better writers." To that end, Mr. Kilpatrick applies knowledge, wit, and wisdom in distinguishing levels of writing and offers advice and examples that will help any serious writer hone his or her skills.

He supports the idea that "English composition does indeed have standards of excellence and levels of quality." It's hard not to despair, however, the current state of the language: language arts teachers rarely include writing as part of the curriculum; rap and hip-hop "artists" make butchering the language a sport; officials crank out numbing reports full o jargon and passive voice construction; few politicians have the backbone to decree English our official language much less communicate precisely.

Still, those who wish to write well should have this book close at hand. Mr. Kilpatrick spends equal effort telling us what we ought not to do and what we ought to be doing to improve our writing. The breadth of examples he cites to make his points should cause most readers to wince at some point. Yet I find this book inspiring and even uplifting.

It's true some sections are dated now. The chapter called "The Tools We Live By" mentions a number of books and references that have since been updated or sadly gone out of print. Yet, these are still relevant, useful texts.

After a whimsical explanation as to why he titled the seventh chapter "My Crochets and Your Crochets," Mr. Kilpatrick covers a myriad of usage issues: the distinction between such pairs as appraise and apprise, blatant and flagrant, and prescribe and proscribe; the use and misuse of words such as impact, only, and verdict; and the proper usage of words such as hopefully and impact.

The time spent with The Writer's Art, whether perusing for favorite topics or pursuing his broader themes, is time well spent.