Ayn Rand's Art of Nonfiction: A Complete Guide to Outlining and Writing

Based on Ayn Rand's 1969 lectures, published posthumously as The Art of Nonfiction: A Guide for Writers and Readers (edited by Robert Mayhew)

Core Philosophy

Rand's central claim: Writing is a rational skill that can be learned. It is not mysterious, not dependent on inspiration, and does not have to be torture. What you need for nonfiction writing is what you need for life in general: an orderly method of thinking.

Her equivalent of "plot, plot, and plot" for fiction: Clarity, clarity, and clarity.

The Fundamental Distinctions

Subject vs. Theme