How I Write

The Cultural Tutor: Two Kinds of Writing (Which One Are You?)

Jul 31, 2024

This week features The Cultural Tutor, a style expert renowned for his insights into minimalist and maximalist writing. He discusses the tension between simplicity and nuance in writing, emphasizing that memorable prose emerges from blending both styles. The conversation covers how technology influences creativity, the evolving landscape of language, and the importance of etymology in deepening word meanings. Additionally, he analyzes Churchill's rhetoric, showcasing how effective speechwriting combines various techniques for maximum impact.

01:16:24

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Episode guests

The Cultural Tutor

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Quick takeaways

Minimalism offers clarity and directness, while maximalism embraces nuance and beauty, creating a spectrum of writing styles.

The transition from typewriters to word processors has influenced writing quality, often sacrificing personality for polished prose.

Exploring diverse and historical texts enhances vocabulary and creativity, allowing writers to interweave minimalism and maximalism effectively.

Deep dives

Understanding Minimalism and Maximalism

Minimalism and maximalism represent two distinct styles of expression. Minimalism is characterized by straightforward, clear, and efficient writing that often sacrifices personal voice for simplicity. In contrast, maximalism embraces elaborate and florid language, which can convey emotion and depth but may be seen as excessive. This podcast episode discusses how society has transitioned from a maximalist era, rich in ornate prose and personality, to a minimalist one that risks dulling the vibrancy of writing.

Simplicity Without Substance Leads to Uniformity

01:21

Embrace Variation to Combat Boredom

01:23

Books Shape Our Writing

01:18

Embrace Complexity Over Simplicity

01:25

Intro

4min

Evolving Prose: Minimalism vs. Maximalism

23min

Navigating Complexity in Digital Writing

7min

The Impact of Technology on Writing Style and Creativity

6min

The Evolving Landscape of Language and Writing

26min

The Power of Etymology in Language

6min

The Craft of Speechwriting: Analyzing Churchill's Rhetoric

5min

Your success as a writer boils down to your style. And today, you’re going to learn how to master the two different types of style — minimalism vs. maximalism — from the style-king himself: The Cultural Tutor.

Minimalism is clear, concise, and direct. It distills an idea. Maximalism captures the texture, the nuance, the beauty of life. It creates an environment for your reader to inhabit. Style is a spectrum. And the sweet spot of memorable writing comes from the tension of competing forces — concision and beauty; Simplicity and texture; minimalism and maximalism.

If you want to develop a distinct and unforgettable style, then this episode is for you.

WRITE OF PASSAGE:

Website: https://culturaltutor.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/culturaltutor

WRITING EXAMPLES:

https://www.writingexamples.com

WRITE OF PASSAGE:

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PODCAST LINKS:

Website: https://writeofpassage.com/how-i-write

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos