What do you think?
Rate this book
Tell It Like It Is: A Guide to Clear and Honest Writing
America's favorite writing coach and bestselling author returns with an "indispensable" guide (Diana K. Sugg, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter) to writing clearly and honestly in a world full of lies, propaganda, and misinformation.
The darker and more dystopian the future appears, the more influential public writers become. But with so much content vying for our attention, and so much misinformation and propaganda polluting public discourse, how can writers break through the noise to inform an increasingly busy, stressed, and overwhelmed audience?
In Tell It Like It Is , bestselling author, writing coach, and teacher Roy Peter Clark offers a succinct and practical guide to writing with clarity, honesty, and conviction. By analyzing stellar writing samples from a diverse collection of public writers, Clark highlights and explains the tools journalists, scientists, economists, fact-checkers, even storytellers use to engage, inform, and hook readers, and how best to deploy them in a variety of contexts. In doing so, he provides answers to some of the most pressing questions facing writers
With Clark's trademark wit, insight, and compassion, Tell It Like It Is offers a uniquely practical and engaging guide to public writing in unprecedented times—and an urgently needed remedy for a dangerously confused world.
The darker and more dystopian the future appears, the more influential public writers become. But with so much content vying for our attention, and so much misinformation and propaganda polluting public discourse, how can writers break through the noise to inform an increasingly busy, stressed, and overwhelmed audience?
In Tell It Like It Is , bestselling author, writing coach, and teacher Roy Peter Clark offers a succinct and practical guide to writing with clarity, honesty, and conviction. By analyzing stellar writing samples from a diverse collection of public writers, Clark highlights and explains the tools journalists, scientists, economists, fact-checkers, even storytellers use to engage, inform, and hook readers, and how best to deploy them in a variety of contexts. In doing so, he provides answers to some of the most pressing questions facing writers
With Clark's trademark wit, insight, and compassion, Tell It Like It Is offers a uniquely practical and engaging guide to public writing in unprecedented times—and an urgently needed remedy for a dangerously confused world.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published April 11, 2023
38 people are currently reading
2199 people want to read
About the author
Roy Peter Clark
46 books333 followersBy many accounts, Roy Peter Clark is America's writing coach, a teacher devoted to creating a nation of writers. A Google search on his name reveals an astonishing web of influence, not just in the United States, but also around the world. His work has erased many boundaries. A Ph.D. in medieval literature, he is widely considered one of the most influential writing teachers in the rough-and-tumble world of newspaper journalism. With a deep background in traditional media, his work has illuminated, on the Internet, the discussion of writing. He has gained fame by teaching writing to children, and he has nurtured Pulitzer Prize-winning writers such as Thomas French and Diana Sugg. He is a teacher who writes, and a writer who teaches. That combination gives his most recent book, Writing Tools, a special credibility.
More credibility comes from Clark's long service at The Poynter Institute. Clark has worked full-time at Poynter since 1979 as director of the writing center, dean of the faculty, senior scholar and vice president.
Clark was born in 1948 on the Lower East Side of New York City and raised on Long Island, where he attended Catholic schools. He graduated from Providence College in Rhode Island with a degree in English and earned a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. In 1977 Clark was hired by the St. Petersburg Times to become one of America's first writing coaches. He worked with the American Society of Newspaper Editors to improve newspaper writing nationwide. Because of his work with ASNE, Clark was elected as a distinguished service member, a rare honor for a journalist who has never edited a newspaper.
Clark is the author or editor of 14 books on journalism and writing. These include Free to Write: A Journalist Teaches Young Writers; Coaching Writers: Editors and Reporters Working Together Across Media Platforms; America's Best Newspaper Writing; The Values and Craft of American Journalism; The Changing South of Gene Patterson: Journalism and Civil Rights, 1960–1968; and, most recently, Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer.
More credibility comes from Clark's long service at The Poynter Institute. Clark has worked full-time at Poynter since 1979 as director of the writing center, dean of the faculty, senior scholar and vice president.
Clark was born in 1948 on the Lower East Side of New York City and raised on Long Island, where he attended Catholic schools. He graduated from Providence College in Rhode Island with a degree in English and earned a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. In 1977 Clark was hired by the St. Petersburg Times to become one of America's first writing coaches. He worked with the American Society of Newspaper Editors to improve newspaper writing nationwide. Because of his work with ASNE, Clark was elected as a distinguished service member, a rare honor for a journalist who has never edited a newspaper.
Clark is the author or editor of 14 books on journalism and writing. These include Free to Write: A Journalist Teaches Young Writers; Coaching Writers: Editors and Reporters Working Together Across Media Platforms; America's Best Newspaper Writing; The Values and Craft of American Journalism; The Changing South of Gene Patterson: Journalism and Civil Rights, 1960–1968; and, most recently, Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 4, 2023
I can easily say Tell It Like It Is is a must have for writers who write about current events. Tell It Like It Is is split into three sections that explores how to write clearly about complex topics, storytelling, and how to show honesty and candor as a writer. As someone who is more of a reader than writer, I found this book very easy to follow and found the ways Roy Peter Clark gave examples incredibly helpful. Thank you to Little, Brown Spark for the advanced reader copy.
May 24, 2023
I like what Roy Peter Clark's books about writing. I also agree with many of his political perspectives. But this book says very little about clear and honest writing. It really talks more about how writings serves the public. From this agenda, much of the book laments Covid, racism, and President Trump.
I had hoped for reflections on how, say, the use of verbs might improve reader comprehension. Maybe that's a silly example, but that's the point. I didn't get anything out of this book about writing itself—I have in mind the words themselves, here, or their grammatical activity. I left the book thinking, okay, but what makes writing clearer, or what makes writing communicate more honestly?
In a sense, I felt like this title simply lacked honesty. I remain a fan, and I will read more of Clark.
I had hoped for reflections on how, say, the use of verbs might improve reader comprehension. Maybe that's a silly example, but that's the point. I didn't get anything out of this book about writing itself—I have in mind the words themselves, here, or their grammatical activity. I left the book thinking, okay, but what makes writing clearer, or what makes writing communicate more honestly?
In a sense, I felt like this title simply lacked honesty. I remain a fan, and I will read more of Clark.
November 20, 2024
Clark's other books are so clear and well-organized. The chapters are brief and only make one point. This book, on the outside, looks like the others. But as I read it, this one felt more like a loose collection of half-thoughts hastily thrown together. There are some fine insights, but this almost certainly won't pass muster as a go-to writing book in the long run.
March 7, 2023
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Little Brown and Company for an advanced copy of this book on how writers must learn to present true facts and real information clearer and readable to fight the authoritarian leaders that seem to be gaining power in our own backyards.
Social media has done a lot wrong, but one of its worst crimes is the inability for a lot of humans to comprehend and understand true facts. Oh this guy sounds like me, I'll believe him, oh she loves Jesus and her boyfriend too, she must be right. People do their own research but start with the answer they want and keep going from there. Paragraphs are full of buzzwords that make the lizard part of the brain buzz in excitement, but at the end nothing is really shared, by the fears that exist in us all. Crime is rising, we need more police, crime is falling, we need more police. Newspapers are closing, TV are big business, and really business sides with power, so their words aren't clear either. Into the debate steps Roy Peter Clark, writer, writing coach and author of many books on writing and how to write well. In Tell It Like it Is, Clark addressing this crisis in understanding and how writers, must make a stand becoming public writers. Clark in gives advice, explains the idea of public writing, with numerous examples, and suggestions for a new generation to write what they see, and what is real.
Roy Peter Clark was admiring the instructions on a box for a home COVID-19 test as the book begins. The skill of the instructions, the ease in following them, how to understand the results that appeared. Clark also noticed the design, the spacing of words, the way the text flowed, and could appreciate the ability it took to develop and write this. Trapped inside by the quarantine, Clark began using his newspaper column to start thinking of clear writing, and how to get real facts about the disease, masking, symptoms and more. This idea expanded as Clark began to notice how people were believing so much bad information. Clark discusses the shortness of paragraphs, and the shortness of sentences to give information. The chapters offers numerous examples from other writers, and he breaks these sections down to show what works, or what can be improved. Also the idea of the public writer, one who writes for the public is discussed and explored with this idea trying into his asking writers to keep it simple.
The shortness of chapters means that readers can almost treat this like a writing exercise, seeing what Clark has written and trying it for oneself. I read through the book, and have gone back and tried to see if I could adapt to his hints. I know I am a long sentence, and as shown long paragraph person, but will try harder in the future. A big lesson is stop trying to impress the reader, but impress upon the reader what should be known. No one likes to be lectured, and as is being proven in politics and life, no one likes to be proved wrong. So that is a big problem for writers at the start.
Clark has a really good style, one that is very conversational, and keeps the reader interested throughout the book. Clark doesn't yell at us, but there is a sense that wants people to get up and start to fight against all the bad and propaganda that floods us everyday. I've read quite a few of Clark's books before, but this one, I feel is his most inspirational.
Social media has done a lot wrong, but one of its worst crimes is the inability for a lot of humans to comprehend and understand true facts. Oh this guy sounds like me, I'll believe him, oh she loves Jesus and her boyfriend too, she must be right. People do their own research but start with the answer they want and keep going from there. Paragraphs are full of buzzwords that make the lizard part of the brain buzz in excitement, but at the end nothing is really shared, by the fears that exist in us all. Crime is rising, we need more police, crime is falling, we need more police. Newspapers are closing, TV are big business, and really business sides with power, so their words aren't clear either. Into the debate steps Roy Peter Clark, writer, writing coach and author of many books on writing and how to write well. In Tell It Like it Is, Clark addressing this crisis in understanding and how writers, must make a stand becoming public writers. Clark in gives advice, explains the idea of public writing, with numerous examples, and suggestions for a new generation to write what they see, and what is real.
Roy Peter Clark was admiring the instructions on a box for a home COVID-19 test as the book begins. The skill of the instructions, the ease in following them, how to understand the results that appeared. Clark also noticed the design, the spacing of words, the way the text flowed, and could appreciate the ability it took to develop and write this. Trapped inside by the quarantine, Clark began using his newspaper column to start thinking of clear writing, and how to get real facts about the disease, masking, symptoms and more. This idea expanded as Clark began to notice how people were believing so much bad information. Clark discusses the shortness of paragraphs, and the shortness of sentences to give information. The chapters offers numerous examples from other writers, and he breaks these sections down to show what works, or what can be improved. Also the idea of the public writer, one who writes for the public is discussed and explored with this idea trying into his asking writers to keep it simple.
The shortness of chapters means that readers can almost treat this like a writing exercise, seeing what Clark has written and trying it for oneself. I read through the book, and have gone back and tried to see if I could adapt to his hints. I know I am a long sentence, and as shown long paragraph person, but will try harder in the future. A big lesson is stop trying to impress the reader, but impress upon the reader what should be known. No one likes to be lectured, and as is being proven in politics and life, no one likes to be proved wrong. So that is a big problem for writers at the start.
Clark has a really good style, one that is very conversational, and keeps the reader interested throughout the book. Clark doesn't yell at us, but there is a sense that wants people to get up and start to fight against all the bad and propaganda that floods us everyday. I've read quite a few of Clark's books before, but this one, I feel is his most inspirational.
May 1, 2023
This is primarily a guide to journalist writing, using contemporary or recent political hot topics to illustrate best practices to keep readers engaged and informed. Clark analyzes public writing about everything from COVID vaccination to abortion, from Trump's presidency to Fox News as his ally. Clark's focus is on mainstream print media, which usually swings left more than right, so many readers will dismiss this book as propaganda.
Be that as it may, Clark's advice is solid on sentence structure, diction, order of elements, use of anecdotes and data, and many other elements of writing. But his book is much more than "a guide to clear and honest writing." It is a persuasive thesis on WHY telling it like it is has become so important, especially in America where disinformation is widespread and factual news has been replaced with entertainment that is driven by ratings and clicks. He stresses how public writers have a responsibility to reveal the truth and help readers sift through the avalanche of information that is available to them, more now than ever before.
Be that as it may, Clark's advice is solid on sentence structure, diction, order of elements, use of anecdotes and data, and many other elements of writing. But his book is much more than "a guide to clear and honest writing." It is a persuasive thesis on WHY telling it like it is has become so important, especially in America where disinformation is widespread and factual news has been replaced with entertainment that is driven by ratings and clicks. He stresses how public writers have a responsibility to reveal the truth and help readers sift through the avalanche of information that is available to them, more now than ever before.
August 17, 2023
For a book about writing that hovers well above reproach, it's almost comical to offer any kind of review, with more writing. So I'll just keep it simple, otherwise known as clear and honest. Roy Peter Clark has organized a gem of timely inspiration for any writer on the tethers of a modern or modest audience of readers. We, the people, are consistently and frustratingly torn between our shaded view of the public good and the actual, desperate realities of the public good. Drifting toward relativism, we feel less and less sure of what is and is not happening beyond our impeded vision. But for those of us trying to clear a path in the muck, those of us compelled to offer clarity in the complexity, Dr. Clark offers more than just a few dozen tips on how to do what we do better. He urges us to keep going, to keep writing. And that alone is worth every page of insight, especially for the weariest authors among us, such as I am of late.
December 1, 2023
"Tell It Like It Is" is a toolbox. It provides many tips directed towards public writers to achieve what it says in the title: clear and honest writing. Public writers are people who write for the public good. Public writers can be anyone, from the people who write at-home COVID testing instructions to the typical journalist. The book achieves its purpose extremely well, especially when it comes to journalism and other public writers. It has applications for non-journalists for sure, but the last section of tips is geared more towards people covering political events. I'd skip that part if you are someone doing technical writing or something like that. However, for journalists it is an excellent toolbox all around. I will probably be keeping this on my shelf for regular reading.
June 16, 2024
So, this does offer some helpful thoughts about writing/journalism but I found it amazing that while talking about honesty, non biased reporting, integrity, the author would continually use examples that showed a certain biased.
He would talk about words to use instead of misleading terms, but then would point to articles of examples that used those terms without correcting them.
Probably the most helpful thing was the highlight/exercises at the end of each chapter. Those were great opportunities and writing prompts.
I'll be using some of this book when I teach journalism to high schoolers next year but I'll also be reading excerpts and asking my students to weigh in on his supposed neutrality.
He would talk about words to use instead of misleading terms, but then would point to articles of examples that used those terms without correcting them.
Probably the most helpful thing was the highlight/exercises at the end of each chapter. Those were great opportunities and writing prompts.
I'll be using some of this book when I teach journalism to high schoolers next year but I'll also be reading excerpts and asking my students to weigh in on his supposed neutrality.
July 19, 2023
Just an okay read. As a young freelance journalist who deeply appreciates the democratic power and import of the written word, Clark's book was an instant check-out from my library.
It certainly inspired me to keep going and to continue thinking about my writing. A lot of his advice I feel I have already been practicing in my personal and professional writing. A good primer to writing in for the public good, though perhaps a bit repetitive (Clark defends this as being necessary to get the point across, an argument I generally agree with).
It certainly inspired me to keep going and to continue thinking about my writing. A lot of his advice I feel I have already been practicing in my personal and professional writing. A good primer to writing in for the public good, though perhaps a bit repetitive (Clark defends this as being necessary to get the point across, an argument I generally agree with).
June 26, 2023
Roy Peter Clark, a veritable fountain of journalistic best practices, puts forth a thinly disguised political tract on the importance of plain writing as a civic responsibility. It's a rant against recent history - Trump, COVID, George Floyd - and the runaway partisanship, unsubstantiated information, and high-minded language by which it was publicly framed. The truth is getting the squeeze, creating a fuzzy new world order in which clarity is becoming an anachronism, says Clark. He's hardly the only voice (or veteran reporter) sounding this alarm, but he's one of the few offering such a prolific prescription of pragmatic remedies.
May 15, 2025
Saw it on a shelf in the library and grabbed it because I had been working on my own writing. It's well-written, concise, but highly focused on a specific writer, think journalists or activists or would-be politicians. Not for me and I wish that had just been a little clearer before I read it. I did take away some good lessons though. Weird to read something post-pandemic that focused heavily on that period.
March 25, 2023
Tell it like it is is a very clear and direct manual for any public writer. The book is divided into clear and concise chapter that include actionable practices for every writer to improve their skills. A great book for anyone who is learning to write, wants to improve their skills, or wants to help someone else with their writing.
October 9, 2023
Another solid book on writing advice, and the first one that I've read by Clark. The premise of writing clearly and honestly is a great one for writers to have. Though sometimes, I feel that "clearly" in this case equals "simplicity", and takes out the majority of the cases for flowery, descriptive prose
May 28, 2023
Unfortunately I never received this book, although I was anticipating it with great joy. Sadden and disappointing. Hopefully the author will have a good reason for not honoring his agreement and ship this out to me as soon as possible. I'd still love to have it and read it.
June 23, 2023
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
The book focuses more on journalism than any other writing. It also focuses on how journalism has a responsibility to the public. It does not have as much about actually writing.
The book focuses more on journalism than any other writing. It also focuses on how journalism has a responsibility to the public. It does not have as much about actually writing.
September 23, 2023
Always a pleasure to read Roy Peter Clarke.
July 9, 2024
Another handy collection of writing tips for public writers. RPC is one of the best around.
July 18, 2024
Full of practical advice and startling examples that will make you a better writer.
August 21, 2025
I really liked this book. Found it inspiring and to have lots of advice that I can practically apply
July 8, 2023
Roy Peter Clark I love you!!!!!!! My father (not really) and forever journalism teacher (earnest). I've been using what I learned in this book every day since I read it.
May 5, 2025
I assigned this book for an English composition class. In comp I like to take a "real-world" approach to writing given my background in journalism. This group of incarcerated students are particularly keen on the idea of doing public writing and getting their voices out there. I enjoyed the book so much myself -- good reminders for when I'm writing. The students responded very well to the book. Many of them have been out of school for years and do not see themselves as writers. This book gave them confidence -- anyone can be a public writer.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews