[Writing Technique Book] Introduction

[00] Introduction

This book is a compilation of the essence of 100 masterpieces on writing techniques into a single volume. It follows the concept of,
"Let's compile the writing tips that many top-tier writers (copywriters), authors, and journalists have mastered into one book," and
"Let's have readers master these 'writing tips' in order of the rules that many professionals value most."

Because writing often strongly reflects the author's personality, writing skills are often thought of as something artisanal. However, in reality, even the unique writing styles of novelists share a surprising amount of "common know-how."
"Common know-how" refers to tips that Writer A, Author B, Journalist C, and Editor D all consider important.

For example, if several books state that "shortening the length of a sentence makes it easier to read," that becomes "common know-how."
This book is the result of the two authors (Yutaka Fujiyoshi and Mariko Ogawa), who are active writers (people whose profession is writing; we have been involved in the editing and writing of various texts, including women's magazines, men's magazines, business magazines, corporate PR magazines, industry trade journals, web news, and books), earnestly reading 100 masterpieces, identifying the common know-how possessed by writing professionals, and ranking them.

◆ How the ranking was determined

In this book, we followed the steps below to collect common know-how that more writing professionals consider "important."
(1) Purchase "100" books on the theme of "how to write" (writing manuals).
Includes best-selling and long-selling writing manuals.

(2) Identify what kind of know-how is written in which book.
Read through the books and find tips that are written as "this is important."

(3) Create a list of common know-how.
Group the identified know-how by "similar content." Count the "number of books" in which that know-how appeared. For example,
● How many books wrote about "the relationship between subject and predicate"
● How many books wrote about "the usage of conjunctions"
● How many books wrote about "the ratio of hiragana to kanji"
● How many books wrote about "how to use adjectives"... etc.

(4) Rank the know-how.
Rank the know-how based on the "number of books in which it appeared."
The following ranking was created using these steps.

◆ How to use the ranking and the structure of this book

In this book, we have divided the 40 items extracted from the 100 books into three parts.

● 1st to 7th place (➡ to Part 1)
Seven pieces of know-how that many authors preach as "important." These are the basic rules necessary for everyone, regardless of the purpose of the writing.

● 8th to 20th place (➡ to Part 2)
Know-how necessary for further skill improvement and enriching the content of your writing after understanding "1st to 7th place."
The results showed that "preparation and mindset for writing (items marked with ★)" are also frequently seen here.

● 21st to 40th place (➡ to Part 3)
Know-how that even writing professionals stumble over or have divided opinions on. Please incorporate these after mastering the "top 20."

This ranking is a result that we, who make a living solely through writing, can also fully agree with. In particular, just by being conscious of the rules introduced in 1st to 7th place, you will be able to write "clear and accurate sentences" in any situation.

Since each item is self-contained, you may read from anywhere. Those who "just want to write clear sentences" can start from Part 1, and those in the preparation stage before writing can look through the items marked with ★ to systematically understand each point.

◆ Benefits of this book
"Trying to compile 100 books on how to write into one" was, honestly, a very difficult undertaking. However, there is a reason why we decided to accomplish it anyway.
"I want to study 'how to write' through books. Out of the many books published, which one should I choose?"
This question was sent to us by participants of the "how to write" course that we host.

Certainly, a vast number of "how-to-write books" have been published in Japan over the past 30 to 40 years. Because each "writing professional"—such as authors, writers, journalists, and bloggers—explains "how to write" from their own perspective, the dilemma is not knowing which book will be useful for oneself.
If we were to answer this question seriously, it would be: "Choose a book by a 'writing professional' in the genre you want to write in, and someone whose writing you admire."
However, before branching into specialized genres, we thought, could we summarize what all writing professionals think is "important," and could we master universal and essential know-how for writing? Thus began the initiative to compile the essence of "100" masterpieces on writing techniques into "one" book.
Therefore, the features and the greatest benefit of this book can be summarized as follows.

● You can master writing tips that "writing professionals" of all genres consider "important," in order of their significance.

In addition, as a book that teaches "how to write," I would like to add the following benefit.

The "portable skills" mentioned in (9) literally mean "skills that can be carried around." These are skills that can be utilized in any workplace, transcending the boundaries of industries and job types.
The "ability to write" is not easily influenced by changes in the era or environment, and it is useful anytime, anywhere, and regardless of what kind of work you are doing.
The "ability to write" is necessary not only for becoming a writer but also for career changes and career advancement.

◆ Target Audience for This Book
This book is structured to be useful for improving the writing skills of many people, without limiting it to specific occupations, ages, or purposes.

● Business professionals who need to "write" in their work, such as reports, daily reports, meeting minutes, proposals, approval documents, presentation materials, press releases, and incident reports.
● Students, examinees, and job seekers who are taking entrance exams or employment exams, or writing theses or reports (this book summarizes the key points in an easy-to-understand manner so that even junior high school students can understand).
● People who are (or want to be) disseminating information on blogs or social media.
● People who have many opportunities to converse based on "text communication," such as emails and chats.
● Professional writers and editors.

The know-how introduced in this book is highly reproducible and, I believe, easy for anyone to use (and easy to imitate).
As a first book for those who say, "There are so many books on writing techniques that I don't know which one to read." Or,
As a review book for those who say, "I want to relearn how to write."
There is nothing that would make me happier than if this book could be of help to many people who are struggling with "how to write."

Bundo Co., Ltd. Yutaka Fujiyoshi / Mariko Ogawa

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