The Age of the Essay2 months agohttp://www.paulgraham.com/essay.html真正的散文是对思想的探索，而非防御性的论证；它始于一个问题，而非一个论点。历史上，学校中的写作教学与文学分析交织在一起，这使得散文显得毫无意义。散文是思考的工具，而不仅仅是沟通的载体；正如蒙田所发现的那样，写作有助于形成思想。优秀的散文追求惊喜，像河流一样循着有趣的线索流淌，即使蜿蜒曲折。要写好文章，就要学会不服从：质疑常规，观察异常，为自己而写，而不是为老师而写。
How to Write Usefully2 months agohttp://www.paulgraham.com/useful.htmlEssays should aim to be useful rather than merely persuasive.Useful writing is correct, important, novel, and stated as strongly as possible without being false.Precision and correctness require balance; vague statements are correct but useless.The Morris technique: only publish what you are sure is worth hearing.Write a loose first draft, then carefully revise and delete anything unsatisfactory.Importance can be gauged by writing about topics that matter to you, as a proxy for readers.Novelty comes from writing about topics you've thought deeply about; insights that surprise you will likely surprise readers.Strength involves thinking well and using qualification to match confidence level.Simplicity helps ensure correctness and respects the reader.Useful writing can provoke anger because novelty challenges cherished beliefs.Misinterpretations are common; address honest ones but avoid overprotecting against dishonest ones.Practice by narrowing topics or writing without publishing to build skill.The internet has made essay writing accessible; many essays and ideas remain undiscovered.