This book analyzes the “classic style” of writing—a mode that presents truth as if it were self-evident, discovered through observation, and conveyed with clarity and grace. The authors contrast this with other styles (such as practical or bureaucratic writing), offering examples and analysis that reveal how style shapes thought. More than a guide to writing, the book is a meditation on communication, knowledge, and elegance. It’s a favorite among writers, editors, and thinkers who value prose that is persuasive not through ornament but through transparency. It’s especially relevant for anyone striving to write with clarity and precision.
About Francis-Noël Thomas
Francis-Noël Thomas is an American scholar, essayist, and professor emeritus of humanities and art history. He is best known for his work on writing style, aesthetics, and the philosophy of communication. Co-author of Clear and Simple as the Truth, Thomas explores the concept of “classic style,” a mode of writing that treats prose as a transparent window to truth. He brings a humanistic and interdisciplinary perspective to his work, combining rhetorical theory with practical clarity. Thomas’s contributions to writing education emphasize elegance, precision, and the writer’s role as a thoughtful observer rather than a performer or persuader.
About Mark Turner
Mark Turner is a cognitive scientist and professor of cognitive science at Case Western Reserve University. His research spans linguistics, psychology, and philosophy, focusing on how humans construct meaning through metaphor, narrative, and conceptual blending. In Clear and Simple as the Truth, co-authored with Francis-Noël Thomas, Turner applies cognitive theory to writing, dissecting how different styles reflect different assumptions about knowledge and communication. His broader work investigates the mental processes underlying language and creativity. Turner is also the author of The Literary Mind and has been influential in developing the field of conceptual blending theory in cognitive linguistics.
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