A good writer is someone who, regardless of the topic, makes prose sound like poetry. Christopher Hitchens is one, and so is Conrad Black, but I am most often impressed by George Jonas‘ work in the National Post.
Take this piece from yesterday’s Post: “Goodbye to paper, death and faxes”. Jonas is writing about technology – the demise of the fax machine in particular – but listen to how he turns these phrases:
“There will be no “pages” in their lives. Paper is becoming outmoded in the 21st century. People still use it, but more for reasons of personal hygiene than for writing or reading.”
“As the medical arts turned into medical sciences, individuals became less restrained themselves, but handed more powers of restraint to governments.”
“After boldly overthrowing the emperor who had no clothes, people meekly submitted to the tyranny of his tailor.”
This is good, lively, entertaining, and informative writing – regardless of the subject.
Who are the writers that bring the page alive for you?
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