"Why is so much writing so bad, and how can we make it better? Is the English language being corrupted by texting and social media? Do the kids today even care about good writing? Why should any of us care? Linguist and cognitive scientist Steven Pinker rethinks the usage guide for the 21st century, applying insights from the sciences of language and mind to the challenge of crafting clear, coherent, and stylish prose.

Good writing -- A window onto the world -- The curse of knowledge -- The web, the tree, and the string -- Arcs of coherence -- Telling right from wrong.