Topic > The Perfect Paragraph and How to Write by Kurt Vonnegut

Writing style is an important part of any author's work because it provides a relationship between the reader and the writer. Unlike Safire, Vonnegut is more of a technical writer, as his writing "How to Write with Style" shows. In fact, Vonnegut uses less narrative than Safire and displays a more informative writing format while offering his audience a step-by-step guide on how to write with style. Unlike Safire, who offers an entertaining read, Vonnegut offers his readers a guide to writing style, listing important passages such as the following: “find a topic that interests people, don't ramble, keep it simple, dare to cut, seem [natural], say what [people] mean, and pity readers” (40), creating a source of reference, in bizarre ways, that engages readers. Although Safire illustrates the importance of paragraph structure, his readers may still need additional advice due to the lack of direct guidance. While Vonnegut is more structured and organized, providing direct step-by-step instructions accompanied by detailed examples on each point, giving his audience the chance to dive right in. Vonnegut's main goal is to help his readers understand that style is a special relationship that a writer creates to connect with his readers. In addition to stating that “If [writers] scribble down [their] thoughts in any way, [readers] will surely have the feeling that [the authors] don't care about them” (40), Vonnegut offers one of the most valuable pieces of advice for people seeking to improve the relationship between themselves and their audiences: "[A]udiences require that [authors] be understanding and that patient teachers are also willing to simplify and clarify..." (43) although both documents informative are excellent sources of material, the