Sep 10, 2011 one essay in particular that people miss was called the art of plain talk. My experience of reading this 1946 work by rudolf flesch was one of those moments. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. The art of readable writing is an indispensable guide to writing fluently. Rudolf flesch is currently considered a single author. I planetalk dvd have them trapped together on an airplane flight, hence the title. It quotes from the art of plain talk 1946 by rudolf flesch.
Helpful viding you never read any of his other books, or anything written after it. Buy a cheap copy of the art of plain talk book by rudolf flesch. The principles of readability are in every style manual. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Buy the art of plain talk by rudolf franz flesch online at alibris. I found flesch s the art of plain talk 1946 to be well worth a trip to the library. The art of plain talk rudolf flesch snippet view 1946. Download pdf the art of readable writing free online new. For me, this is one of the best books on writing that i have ever come across. Rudolf flesch 8 may 1911 5 october 1986 was an author, readability expert, and writing consultant who was an early and vigorous proponent of plain english in the united states. The art of readable writing by rudolf flesch, paperback.
Rudolf flesch commenting on his own readability formula in the art of plain talk. Mastering the art of plain talk necessitates doing more of some things and less of others. Art of plain talk by rudolf flesch and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Why do people prefer to read or listen to plain talk. Author of marks of rtadable styl, i foreword by lyman bryson educational directer columbia broadcasting. How to test readability 1951, how to write better 1951, the art of plain talk 1946, the art of readable writing 1949, the abc of style.
Rudolf flesch moves beyond his examination of and advice on grammar and usage in the art of plain talk to the more general principles of style in contemporary writing. The art of plain talk by rudolf flesch takes its place beside the dictionary as a tool for the writer who wants his work read. The art of readable code download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. His readability formula and the ideas and techniques of simple communication which are related to its use are major contributions to good english, to writing craftsmanship, and to objective standards of measuring how understandable writing is. The art of plain talk by rudolf franz flesch alibris. What is missing is the research and theory on which they stand. Those wishing to consult further sources in the field may find the following books helpful.
The art of readable writing by rudolf flesch librarything. This page tells you how to write so that people understand you. Dubay introduction in 1998, traffic accidents caused 46 percent of all accidental deaths of infants. Also there have been better books written since then on the topic of concise writing. Plane talk pdf plane talk the newsletter of the amc provides a quarterly roundup of amc. Jan 14, 2015 rudolf flesch, author of why johnny cant read, died in 1986, but his legacy endures among those of us who are still fighting to get intensive, systematic phonics back in the schools. He was raised in austria and finished university there, studying law. He proceeds by examining the dangers in languagemisunderstood words, misused words, the overstress of adjectives, as in advertising, the difficulties in translating the idiomatic speech of one. The art of plain talk 1946 and the art of readable writing. Rudolf franz flesch 8 may 1911 5 october 1986 was an austrianborn naturalized. Prefer the familiar word to the farfetched prefer the concrete word to the abstract prefer the single word to the circumlocution prefer the short word to the long prefer the saxon word to the romance latin.
As ive done with many longgone authors, i sat down recently to interview flesch about two of his bestselling books from the 1940s. The art of plain talk, published in 1946 was a plea for readable english not just in. He published many books on the subject of clear, effective communication. Oct 07, 1986 he set out that view in his first book, the art of plain talk, in 1946, and in other works.
What i hope for are readers who wont take the formula too seriously and wont expect from it more than a rough estimate. I think the simple english wikipedia is a good idea, but i dont think its working. But having read the art of plain talk i found this a rehashing of everything in that book with little added. The art of readable writing by rudolf flesch and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The art of readable writing and the way to write now turns his attention to the muddled, prejudiced mental processes that with too many people pass for thinking. Plain english campaign uk organization the simple english wikipedia. Introduction rudolf flesch was born in austria but moved. The howtowinfriendsandinfluencepeople of rhetoric inspired by an intrinsically worthless yardstick formula to measure readability. He created the flesch reading ease test and was cocreator of the flesch kincaid readability test.
The art of readable writing and the way to write now turns his attention to the muddled, prejudiced mental processes that. Readers of mal warwicks terrific book on direct mail copywriting how to write successful fundraising letters, with cd 2008 and other editions may recognize this author, rudolf flesch, who warwick suggests for further reading. The art of plain talk rudolf flesch snippet view 1962. The art of plain talk crawford 1969 aorn journal wiley online library. Find the art of plain talk by flesch, rudolf at biblio. Plain talk from the art of plain talk write things that convey your meaning in plain english. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Author of marks of rtadable styl, i foreword by lyman bryson educati. The art of readable writing rudolf flesch semantic scholar. Robert gunning, the technique of clear writing rev.
Rudolf franz flesch vienna, austria, 8 may 1911 new york city, new york, us, 5 october 1986 was an austrianborn naturalized american author noted for his book why johnny cant read, and also a readability expert and writing consultant who was a vigorous proponent of plain english in the united states. When bestselling author rudolf flesch the art of plain talk offered to give a friends twelveyearold son some remedial reading, flesch discovered that the boy was not slow or maladjusted. He discards churchills blood, sweat and tears speech as misleading because of its rhythm and symbolism. Flesch flourished as a writing teacher, plain english consultant, and author. How to write, speak, and think more effectively rudolf. Publication date 1946 topics english language, report writing. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. The art of readable writing by rudolf flesch abebooks.
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