The two most powerful words in nonfiction writing: “for example”

The two most powerful words in nonfiction writing: “for example”

ByJosh Bernoff

Nonfiction writing is filled with generalizations and blanket advice. It’s inevitable: if you are drawing big conclusions, you’re going to make broadly applicable statements. To ground those conclusion, you must be specific. And the easiest way to do that is with an example. My first book (65,000 words) included 104 instances of “for example.” My…

5 ways to use evidence to back up (or challenge) an argument
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5 ways to use evidence to back up (or challenge) an argument

ByJosh Bernoff

Based on the material I’m reading and editing, a lot of people have forgotten how to use evidence in their writing. They make unsupported statements that the reader is just supposed to swallow whole. If you want to persuade me that your assessment is valid, your prediction is accurate, or your advice is effective, here are five ways…