Special Edition of War Books under the Harding Project: Focus on the Art of Writing
In a call to strengthen the Army profession, General Randy George, General Gary Brito, and Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer have emphasized the importance of building expertise through written discourse. This emphasis on writing skills is further highlighted in the War Books series, curated by John Amble, the editorial director of the website at West Point.
The series offers a list of five books that can help improve writing skills for the Army profession. These books, including "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield, "Writing Tools" by Roy Peter Clark, "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser, "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott, and "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White, collectively focus on improving clarity, style, and professionalism in writing. These skills are crucial for effective communication within the Army profession.
"The War of Art" provides insights into overcoming the resistance that every writer faces, while "Writing Tools" offers practical advice for improving writing in every situation. "On Writing Well" is a classic guide to writing nonfiction, providing tips on clarity, conciseness, and style. "Bird by Bird" offers an inspiring and humorous look at the writing process, while "The Elements of Style" is a timeless guide to writing with precision and grace.
Reading extensively can help improve one's writing skills, with some improvement happening unconsciously and some happening through deliberate effort. When reading an author's work, ask yourself why you enjoy it, and try to identify aspects like well-organized writing, attention-grabbing techniques, and lyrical sentence structures to emulate.
Another recommended book for improving writing skills is "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft," by Stephen King. This book offers insights into the craft of writing from one of the most successful authors of our time. "Working," by Robert Caro, is also recommended for its remarkable economy of words and craftsmanship in writing.
The current installment of War Books is inspired by the Harding Project, a new initiative aimed at strengthening the culture of professional writing in the Army and revitalizing the Army's journals. The Army needs leaders at all levels to share their ideas, and it is a professional obligation to write.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense. The article encourages the reader to share it on various social media platforms to help spread the message of the importance of writing skills in the Army profession. An image credit is given to Sgt. Jeremiah Meaney, US Army.
- To enhance their writing expertise, members of the Army profession might find 'On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft' by Stephen King insightful, as it offers perspectives from one of the most successful authors.
- Reading works like 'Working' by Robert Caro can aid in improving writing skills, particularly due to its remarkable economy of words and craftsmanship in presentation.
- As emphasized by General Randy George, General Gary Brito, and Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer, the culture of professional writing in the Army is crucial for effective communication and can be nurtured through reading diverse books and text genres, such as 'entertainment' and 'fashion-and-beauty' literature, in addition to military literature.
