Economical Writing

Economical Writing is a guide for academics and professionals who want to improve their writing. The book focuses on clear communication in economics and other technical fields. McCloskey presents principles for writing with precision and avoiding common academic pitfalls. The lessons include cutting unnecessary words, structuring arguments, and considering the reader's perspective. The text contains concrete examples and practical exercises for implementing better writing habits. It moves through specific techniques for revising drafts and organizing complex ideas. At its core, the book champions the idea that clarity in writing reflects clarity in thinking. The principles apply beyond economics to challenge how scholars communicate their work to both specialized and general audiences.

Readers describe this book as a concise guide for economists who want to improve their writing. The third edition maintains high ratings across platforms: 4.0/5 on Goodreads (137 ratings) and 4.3/5 on Amazon (52 ratings). Readers appreciate: - Brief chapters that can be read in short sessions - Concrete examples showing how to fix common writing problems - Humor and wit throughout the text - Focus on writing for economics specifically Common criticisms: - Some find the advice too basic for experienced writers - A few readers note the book could follow its own advice better - Several mention redundant points between chapters From reviews: "Made me realize how much passive voice I use in my writing" - Goodreads reviewer "Perfect for graduate students starting to write papers" - Amazon review "Could have been condensed into a long article" - Goodreads critique The book resonates most with economics students and academics looking to make their technical writing clearer.

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Writing with Power by Peter Elbow The book focuses on methods to generate ideas and transform rough drafts into polished writing through systematic techniques.

On Writing Well by William Zinsser The text explains principles of non-fiction writing across different genres with focus on removing clutter and finding a writer's voice.

The Sense of Style by Steven Pinker This writing guide uses insights from linguistics and cognitive science to explain what makes writing clear and effective.

📚 While teaching at the University of Iowa, McCloskey originally developed these writing principles for a one-page handout given to economics students. 💡 The author underwent gender transition in 1995, making her one of the first openly transgender economists in academia, and later editions of the book reflect this change. ✍️ The book's core message about clear writing was influenced by George Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language," which McCloskey frequently references. 📖 Despite being aimed at economists, the book has gained popularity among writers in other academic fields, particularly in social sciences and business. 🎓 McCloskey challenges the common academic practice of using complex language to sound intelligent, arguing that truly smart ideas can be expressed simply.