Draft No. 4
by John McPhee
Eight essays on the writing process by the master of non-fiction: structure as architecture, the elicitation of interviews, frames of reference, checkpoints with fact-checkers, and the fourth draft where you finally choose the right words. Elegant and quietly funny.
Read it if…
you write non-fiction and want to see how a master builds it.
See the book →
Skip it if…
you want quick tips; this is slow craft.
Try instead: From Paycheck to Purpose →
Three things you will actually use
- Structure first; sentences later.
- Draft four is about words; drafts one to three are about shape.
- Boxes and arrows beat outlines.
Do this first
Read 'Structure' and draw the shape of your current piece.
Our verdict
How a master builds non-fiction.
See the book →
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