About Michel de Montaigne
Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592) was a French writer and statesman whose Essais (first published in 1580 and expanded until his death) gave the essay its name and form. His essays were translated into English by John Florio in 1603 and by Charles Cotton in 1685–86; the Cotton translation, revised by William Carew Hazlitt, is used here.
Michel de Montaigne’s writing style
Montaigne writes about whatever subject he has chosen by writing about himself, admitting his own faults and doubts as evidence. His essays wander from point to point, mixing personal observation with anecdotes and quotations from classical authors. The tone is conversational and skeptical, more interested in testing an idea than in settling it.
Practice Michel de Montaigne’s essays
1 essay
How to write like Michel de Montaigne
Pick one of Michel de Montaigne’s essays and retype it word for word. Copying slows you down enough to notice how each sentence is built: where it starts, how long it runs and which words carry the weight. Keep the style notes above in mind as you type, then write a paragraph of your own in the same voice. New to this? Read what copywork is and how to do it.