Popular Historians by Trade, Writers by Training
David McCullough: English literature.
Jon Meacham: English literature.
Erik Larsen: Journalism.
David Grann: International Relations, Creative Writing.
S.C. Gwynne: Writing.
Ron Chernow: English literature.
Nathaniel Philbrick: English, American literature.
Rick Atkinson: English language and literature.
Why are so many contemporary best-selling histories written by authors whose training is not in history? It’s the writing.
These authors know how to tell a story, how to compel the reader, how to be clear and concise, how to maximize intrigue, and how to draw many threads together to create a cohesive whole. They are trained specifically in writing, literature, or journalism. All historians dream of having their writing read by the broadest audience possible, but do they know how to make their writing compelling to non-academics? It is possible to write compelling prose that still conforms to rigorous academic standards, but it takes time, effort, and editing. Here are three tips to developing a compelling writing style:
Read broadly and take notes. Once you find someone whose writing you love, ask yourself why it is so enjoyable to read. If you can identify the qualities that make your favorite writers exceptional, you can work to emulate them.
Read your writing out loud. Is it easy to understand, or are there too many digressions within sentences, parenthetical thoughts, or complicated sentence structures? This exercise will help you put yourself in the reader’s shoes and give you a new perspective on your writing.
Ask yourself who your audience is for each specific project. Tailor your terminology and complexity to this audience. But also remember, academics love to read fine writing too!
