Absurd Quote by William Zinsser
“Also bear in mind, when you're choosing your words and stringing them together, how they sound. This may seem absurd: readers read with their eyes. But in fact they hear what they are reading far more than you realize.”
About This Quote
Source Book: On Writing Well by William Zinsser, 1976
Effective writing must consider how words sound to readers, because reading is also an auditory experience.
In simple terms: Words should sound right, not just look right.
Read aloud to test your prose.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- editing
- public speaking
- teaching
- content creation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you read your work aloud?
- How does sound affect comprehension?
Focusing only on visual can miss auditory impact.