How to Write (Almost) Anything, From a Great Joke to a Killer Cover Letter

Orwell advised cutting as many words as possible, Woolf found energy in verbs, and Baldwin aimed for ‘a sentence as clean as a bone’. What can we learn from celebrated authors about the art of writing well?

What is, “very carefully?”

When you make a protest sign, you’re working with considerable linguistic constraints.

Jerry Seinfeld describes the anatomy of his Pop-Tart joke, still a work in progress, and shows his longhand writing process.

Organizing tasks on paper is a tried and true method for getting things done. Here are some types of to-do lists that may be right for you.

A guide to reading and writing poetry for people who don’t (yet) read or write poetry.

A few tips on how to quickly and clearly relay information and avoid miscommunication.

Ten tips for writing the perfect thank you note from John Kralik, author of 365 Thank Yous.

It’s a two-way street toward clarity and comprehension.

When a person is bereaved, the simple, sincere expressions of sympathy you write are deeply felt and appreciated. At this time of withdrawal from the world, your letter can be a warm and understanding handclasp.

“[Songwriting] is work. Experience, selection, taste. None of those things are something that happens to you. You’re not just an antenna.”

While email and texts have become the standard form of written communication in today’s fast-paced, digital world, there’s still a place for old-fashioned, snail mail letters.

The best online reviews offer up the kind of information that’s invaluable when making a decision.

Ten personalized, compelling cover letters are likely to get you far more interview invitations than 50 generic ones will.

Be personal. Be clear-sighted. And don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.

Everyone has a book in them, but how do you get it out? Here are some great tips from the ‘book doctor’ Philippa Pride.

Expert advice on ending procrastination and finishing that manuscript, dissertation, or other big project. Expert advice on ending procrastination and finishing that manuscript, dissertation, or other big project.

The most productive writers know that writing is only one step in a larger process.