Unlocking the secrets of being a better writer

Old wine in new bottles? Yellowlees Douglas's plea for a "scientific" approach to teaching writing skills is understandably a plug for her new book, which may be very good. Judging from her article, however, its practical prescriptions are a mixture of common sense and what good writing guides have long advised, given additional authority by the invocation of neuroscience. Although Douglas talks dismissively about the "watered-down remnants of Aristotelian rhetoric", what is this if not an example of establishing Aristotelian ethos by association - "conveying your credibility", as Douglas puts it? Writing clearly and correctly is crucial, but it is only part of what students need to learn: style was only one of the five Roman rhetorical canons. Among other things, they also need to construct - and critique - arguments (logos). Nobody would look to Aristotle for practical guidance on writing clearly in English, but clarity of expression is only part of the picture: studying and practising rhetoric gives you the whole.