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Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man. Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
I believe Francis Bacon's three principles are the foundation of good writing. By "conference," he means conversation and that is what the vast majority of people do the most; it's unique to humans. But where we truly find discovery and advancement is by expanding beyond our ability to converse and developing the other two capabilities we possess: reading and writing. Amassing knowledge and having the ability to articulate it in a permanent form – for millions across history – is a wondrous gift that we humans can give to others with whom we share the planet.
Tag Archives: Mark Twain
Mark Twain’s rules of writing
From Mark Twain’s scathing essay on the Literary Offenses of James Fenimore Cooper A tale shall accomplish something and arrive somewhere. The episodes of a tale shall be necessary parts of the tale, and shall help develop it. The personages … Continue reading