Cultivation in Writing (2021 Edition)
Tang TaoKaiming Press · ChinaDec 2021
Rating 4.2- Word count
- 74K words
- Chapters
- 18
- ISBN
- 9787513164153
Tags
Literary Appreciation History of ProseDialogue WritingRhetorical SkillsPath to WritingClassical to VernacularWords and SentencesComposition and RhetoricLanguage EssaysScript EvolutionSummary
First published in the 1930s and reissued by Kaiming Press in 2021, Tang Tao's *The Cultivation of Writing* is a classic guide to composition by a scholar equally accomplished in modern Chinese literary criticism and the personal essay. His advice is neither armchair doctrine nor abstruse theory. The book's great value lies in its plain, profound practicality. Opening with "the character of an essay," Tang Tao places the ethics of writing first, stressing that "rhetoric stands on sincerity"—a stance that contrasts sharply with today's flood of information and浮躁 style, and carries strong contemporary relevance. His discussions of gathering material, structuring an argument, and refining language grow out of rich reading and writing experience, illustrated with numerous classical and modern texts, so that they feel concrete rather than preachy. Most valuable is his view of writing as a comprehensive cultivation bound up with one's thought, learning, and feeling. For readers who wish to improve, the book offers not just a method but a guide to attitude and sensibility. It may not supply a "quick" shortcut, yet it helps writers lay a solid, upright foundation, understand what真正 makes a good essay, and learn how sustained "cultivation" can bring one closer to it. In this sense, a work more than eighty years old remains as vital as ever.Editor's review
The Craft of Writing is a classic work on writing completed by Tang Tao in the late 1930s, republished by Kaiming Press in 2021. As a scholar with deep accomplishments in both modern Chinese literary criticism and prose writing, Tang Tao offers writing guidance that is neither armchair dogma nor abstruse theory. The book's greatest value lies in its plain yet profound practicality. The author begins with "the character of writing," placing the ethics of writing first and emphasizing that "rhetoric establishes sincerity"—a striking contrast to today's environment of information overload and浮躁 style, with strong contemporary relevance. His discussions of material collection, structural arrangement, and language refinement all stem from his rich reading and writing experience, illustrated with numerous classical and modern texts, making them concrete and perceptible rather than empty preaching. Most admirably, Tang Tao regards writing as a comprehensive cultivation closely tied to one's thought, learning, and emotion. For readers hoping to advance in writing, this book offers not only a set of methods but also guidance on attitude and realm. It may not provide a "quick" shortcut, but it can help writers lay a solid and upright foundation, understand what truly good writing is, and how to approach it through continuous "cultivation." In this sense, this work from over eighty years ago has enduring vitality.Who it's for
A good fit for
- Beginners who want to systematically build basic writing skills and a proper attitude toward writing
- Readers interested in modern literature and composition theory
- Chinese-language teachers and writing instructors seeking a classic supplementary teaching reference
- Writers in the information age who long to return to the essence of language and pursue sincere expression
Not a good fit for
- Readers looking for immediately usable "viral" copywriting techniques or new-media writing templates
- Readers hoping for extensive contemporary case studies or cutting-edge digital writing theory
Reading tips
- Read slowly and savor the book, comparing its model texts alongside it—the experience will be deeper.
- There is no need to finish it in one sitting; digest it chapter by chapter and try applying its principles to your own daily writing practice.
- Read it alongside classics such as *The Heart of Literature* by Ye Shengtao and Xia Mianzun to build a more complete understanding of essay writing.
About the publisher
Kaiming Press China · Founded in 1988Kaiming Press specializes in educational and cultural books, balancing Chinese and foreign literary classics with language education. Its catalogue places notable emphasis on translated foreign literature, including George Orwell's 1984, W. Somerset Maugham's Of Human Bondage, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Stefan Zweig's Decisive Moments in History and Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's Rashōmon, often in established or complete unabridged translations. In language education, it offers different editions of Wenxin, co-authored by Xia Mianzun and Ye Shengtao, alongside essay collections such as Fu Lei's Family Letters. Its common categories cover foreign literature, classic works, essays, language and writing, examinations and literary appreciation, reflecting a direction that values both classic reading and Chinese language learning. Public information is limited; the above is drawn only from the books in the database.
Contents
- 版权信息
- “开明文库·语文大师教你能读会写”出版说明
- 序一
- 序二
- 一 开头语
- 二 从文字到文章
- 三 古文·骈文·八股文
- 四 白话文及其他
- 五 关于文体
- 六 句读和段落
- 七 向书本学习还是从生活提炼
- 八 题材的搜集和主题的确定
- 九 字和词·土话和成语
- 十 句子的构造和安排
- 十一 明喻·暗示·借代·比拟
- 十二 铺张和省略
- 十三 怎样写会话
- 十四 所谓“文气”
FAQ
How is this book different from today's writing-course textbooks?
The book focuses more on the "way" of writing than on "technique," emphasizing the writer's inner cultivation, honesty of character, and reverence for language. Its core is the nurturing of humanistic literacy, not the mere transmission of skills. Its prose also carries the distinctive temperate, reflective tone of Republican-era scholars.Will this book be too difficult for someone with no writing foundation at all?
No. Tang Tao's discussion is accessible and his language plain, beginning with the most basic question—"why write at all"—and progressing step by step. It is precisely an ideal book for laying down correct concepts and a solid foundation for beginners.What is special about the 2021 edition compared with older editions?
The 2021 edition, published by Kaiming Press, belongs to the "Chinese Teachers' Little Library" series. It has been reset and redesigned for modern reading habits and may include a new introduction or publisher's note to help a new generation understand and receive this classic, while its core content remains unchanged.Related on WeRead
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About the author
Tang Tao Author · China · 1913–1992Tang Tao (1913–1992), originally named Tang Duanyi and also known by the pen name Hui'an, was a native of Zhenhai, Zhejiang. A modern Chinese writer and literary historian, he was one of the founders of Lu Xun studies. He first became known for his essays and prose, including the essay collection Tui Bei Ji, the prose collections Luo Fan Ji and Hui'an Shu Hua; his style is plain and concise, combining historical materials with personal sensibility. In scholarship he long devoted himself to modern Chinese literature and Lu Xun studies, and he edited A History of Modern Chinese Literature, exerting a lasting influence on the field's documentation and teaching. He served as deputy director of the Shanghai Cultural Bureau and as a researcher at the Institute of Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. This library holds three of his works, mostly on literary appreciation and guidance in writing and reading, reflecting his care in popularizing literary knowledge. Public information is limited, so biographical details are omitted.