Hard Work, Not ‘talent’ Makes Good Writing

Ian Jack is hesitant when it comes to writing manuals and classes – a distinctly British approach to teaching this skill. During a visit to Australian universities a few years ago, he was pleasantly surprised by the fluency and clarity of the history students’ writing. It turned out that they were taught how to write in lively workshops that encouraged them to believe that with time and dedication, anyone could write well. This approach is different from the British government’s preference for teaching grammar through rote learning, which has not proven to be effective.

Conversations with American colleagues also revealed a similar mindset to the Australian approach, and introduced Jack to the American writer, William Zinsser, whose book "On Writing Well" he highly recommends to his students. Zinsser’s belief is that good writing is the result of hard work, not innate talent, which is a radical notion for many British students who have grown up with the myth that talent is inherited, effortless, and looks a lot like a public schoolboy.

It’s no coincidence that Zinsser worked at the New School in New York, which prides itself on being a comprehensive university. In Britain, the adult education movement, including the Workers’ Educational Association and the Open University, has supported generations of working-class and women writers, bringing new voices and writing styles to libraries and bookshops. At a time when not everyone can afford "masterclasses," it’s heartening to see that adult education is at the center of the Labour party’s manifesto.

Ian Jack’s article about the difficulty of finding good unsolicited articles for The Guardian in the 1960s and 1970s, underscores the importance of writing classes that encourage writers to hone their craft, and the significance of publishing outlets that offer constructive feedback. Only through this can new voices be heard and their contributions recognized.

Richard Allen’s letter asks if Ian Jack has considered publishing a successor volume to "The Country Formerly Known as Great Britain" – and he is not the only one who wishes for that to materialize.

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