Book Quote by William Goldman
“If you're going to abridge a book in the author's own words, you can't go sticking your own in.”
About This Quote
The quote advises against altering an author's words when summarizing, urging fidelity to original expression.
In simple terms: When summarizing, keep the author's original language intact.
Key Takeaway
Preserve the author's voice in abridgments.
Themes
integrity
authorship
writing
editing
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
instructional
When to use this quote
- academic work
- publishing
- creative writing
Key Concepts
faithfulness
literary ethics
conciseness
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you paraphrase versus quote directly?
- How does preserving original wording affect understanding?
A Different Perspective
Strict fidelity may limit clarity for new audiences.
