In chapter 1 of Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace, Joseph M. Williams first defines the principles and aims of good writing, then provides his audience with a brief history of unclear writing, discusses some causes of unclear writing, and reminds his reader of the importance of writing and rewriting. Beginning by stating that his main goal is to teach his reader how to write clearly (a skill Williams argues anyone can learn), he explains why clarity seems difficult by taking his reader through the history of clear writing. Providing his audience with several examples from authors such as James Fenimore Cooper and Mark Twain, Williams proves that historically both readers and writers appreciate clear and concise writing. These examples also demonstrate that while admiring clear writing some authors do not adopt clear writing. Therefore, Williams uses examples from several authors to illustrate the history of clear writing.
After establishing the history of clarity, Williams proceeds to evaluate some causes of unclear writing, giving his reader several to identify with. Williams argues that writers lack clarity because they make their prose extremely complex hoping their audience confuses difficult style with profundity. The other causes of unclear writing generally involve the writers disregard for the audience. For example, the writer may lack a clear understanding of the topic, or understand the topic so well and not revise it so that the reader understands also. Finally, Williams reminds his audience of the tool of rewriting. Williams reassures his reader that writers do not naturally employ clarity, but with rewrites and revisions they eventually acquire clarity. The first lesson of Style states several principles and aims of good writing, offers a brief history of unclear writing, explains a few main causes of unclear writing, and reiterates the importance of writing and rewriting.