Reviews (11)

Like taking a class with the author
In her book Reading Like a Writer Francine Prose, herself the author of some 14 novels as well as other works of nonfiction, advocates "close reading"--reading fiction "word by word, sentence by sentence, pondering each deceptively minor decision that the writer has made"--both as a means of appreciating literature and as a practical aid in writing one's own prose. After introducing her method in chapter one, Prose spends the next eight chapters showing us how it's done, focusing initially on individual words, then sentences, and broadening her focus eventually to consider characters and dialogue and narration.
One of the two or three best books on writing I've encountered
Ms Prose takes seriously the idea that one learns to write by studying models of good writing, what she calls "close reading." She examines different features of classic fiction, most of it from the 19th century, but some of it contemporary, and analyzes specimens of solid craftsmanship.
"Putting every word on trial for its life."
Francine Prose, in "Reading Like a Writer," argues that creative writing cannot be taught in a classroom.A workshop may provide valuable encouragement and support for a fledgling writer, and a good instructor may show a novice how to edit his work more effectively.However, a writer learns his craft by reading and rereading the books, novels, plays, and short stories of great writers, and he improves his skills through practice.Prose recommends studying "meter with Ovid, plot construction with Homer, comedy with Aristophanes."She backs up her thesis by giving a host of examples from writers she admires, such as Austen, Hemingway, Joyce, Chekhov, and others who are a bit more obscure.
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Subjects:  1. Authors    2. Books & Reading    3. Books And Reading    4. Composition & Creative Writing - General    5. Creative Writing    6. English language    7. General    8. Literary Criticism    9. Literature - Classics / Criticism    10. Rhetoric    11. Literary Criticism & Collections / General   

Reviews (322)

Excellent book!
Joan Didion is able to capture for the reader what a terrible ordeal losing any loved one is, let alone two within a very short time. She deals with the fast death of her husband and the longer, slow death of her daughter. The writing is excellent, the sadness you feel is unbelievably real. What's true is that in all of our lives, what is one way one minute can change ever so quickly the next.Ms. Didion captures this feeling to a tee.

A beautiful book, but it's not really intended for other people
I'm trying to think of how to delicately recommend against reading Joan Didion's latest (for which she won a National Book Award). Some disjointed notes:
Two types of Research
More than anything else, I think Didion's latest book shows her truest colorsas a reporter.Though ostensibly a memoir, The Year of Magical Thinking is at its center an in-depth investigative report on the effects of grief, from its onset and onward a year.Didion blends research in the "field" -- hospitals, all the venues of her own experience -- and research with doctors and through print media to give us not only a moving record of her own experiences, but also a critical study into the personal, psychological, physiological toll grief can take on a person.Like her earliest works, thisbook seems effortless, almost spoken, in very measured and easy prose, which seeps into the reader and makes you even more moved by her accounts.An excellent book, both from the stand point of memoir and reportage, and an exceedingly excellent book from the stand point of being both blended into one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Didion, Joan    7. Didion, Joan - Prose & Criticism    8. Dunne, John Gregory - Prose & Criticism    9. Dunne, John Gregory,    10. Family relationships    11. Journalists    12. Literary    13. Novelists, American    14. Personal Memoirs    15. United States    16. Women    17. Biography & Autobiography / Literary   

Reviews (47)

the premier style guide for published American English
It is perhaps time to worry if you feel particulary warm and affectionate towards a book like THE CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE.
Call Me Old Fashioned, but I LOVE This Book
If you work in the literary world, it drives you nuts on a daily basis to see how few writers bother to check for accuracy when it comes to using quotes, italics, or underlining in their manuscripts; how few know when to use single quotes or double quotes--don't get me started. Suffice it to say, this is the book to consult. Though there are a half dozen style books, you can't go wrong using Chicago!

Important but confusing
This book is necessary for understanding how to cite works using Chicago style, but it can be confusing and unclear.However it has many example sections which I found useful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. General    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Printing    7. Reference    8. Style manuals    9. Writing Skills    10. English    11. Publishing industry    12. Reference / Writing Skills   

Editorial Review

Composition teachers throughout the English-speaking world have been pushing this book on their students since it was first published in 1957.Co-author White later revised it, and it remains the most compact and lucid handbook we have for matters of basic principles of composition, grammar, word usage and misusage, and writing style. ... Read more

Reviews (286)

Do You Dread Looking Things Up?
The Elements of Style makes grammatical research so easy, you'll want to look up things you'd always wondered about but thought would take too much time. Recently someone asked me about the use of the serial comma, and, as it was about text we were going to put on the dust jacket of a book, it was sufficiently important to look up. It turned out to be the second item in the Table of Contents. First you get the general rule, in this case "In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last." The example given is "gold, silver, or copper." The sole exception is a series of names in a business: "Brown, Shipley and Co." There! With thirty seconds effort, the issue was adjudicated. I can't recommend it highly enough. Thank God for the Fourth Edition. My Third Edition is dog-eared with use.

Important Reading
This little book is important reading for any one who has or is desiring to write. One of the best things that I could say about the book is that it is full of examples that are juxtaposed. Every element is clearly defined in such a way that any one can easily see the difference between the examples given. This book is a "how to" book for proper use of english in written form. It seemingly covers everything you could imagine from the use of commas and omiting needless words to expressing yourself clearly and not overwriting. The five chapters are: 1. Elementary Rules of Usage 2. Elementary Principles of Composition 3. A Few Matters of Form 4. Words and Expressions Commonly Misused 5. An Approach to Style.
Absolutely Indispensable!
Anyone doing any writing, regardless of the purpose, must have a copy of this handy little reference book right next to their dictionary and thesaurus. "Elements of Style" is an indispensable little guide full of superb tips for the correct use of the English language. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - General    2. English Composition    3. English language    4. Grammar    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Literary style    8. Reference    9. Report writing    10. Rhetoric    11. Style    12. Technical Writing    13. Writing Skills    14. English    15. Technology / Technical Writing    16. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (7)

Practical Traits
This book offers tons of practical approaches and practice scoring for the 6 Traits of Writing.It is written by a recognized master in the field and has been so helpful.

A Friendly Read
Spandel's book is an authentic, engaging, and encouraging read for those that teach writing, want help infusing writing, or want to enhance their own writing. It is written conversationally and is well supported with numerous examples. I found it visually appealing as a reader and insightful. (Another review didn't like the visuals because it isn't easy to lift examples "as is" for sharing in class. To that angle I agree, but as a reader the layout is very pleasing.) Highly recommended.

Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction (4th Ed)
This book gives so many examples of the qualities to look for and teach in writing instruction.I especially like the fact that this edition is more inclusive of secondary ideas and samples.
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Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - General    2. Composition and exercises    3. Education    4. Elementary    5. English language    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Report writing    8. Rhetoric    9. Study and teaching    10. Teaching Methods & Materials - Language Arts    11. Creative writing guides    12. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading    13. Writing skills   

Reviews (13)

Fun to read, useful information, and makes a great gift
This book hits a sweet spot for me.Paul Brians uses a common sense approach in discussing how we use and misuse our language.His approach is not fussy or full of rules.Instead, he uses humor and a light touch to help the reader develop a sense for what is proper and logical.He also helps us learn where we commonly fall into traps by mishearing and misusing words through regionalisms or simply similar sounding words.
It is really useful andentertaining.I love it!
I usually don't review any of my purchases. But, this book is so captivating that I had to review it!
Too Basic
The content is so elementary that this book cannot be considered a serious reference work for writers. Many of the "Common Errors" seem to have been made up in order to complete a targeted page count. If you already know the difference between "chunk" and "chuck," and know when to use "next door" instead of "next store" to convey your intended meaning, you can pass on this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - General    2. Dictionaries    3. English as a Second Language    4. English language    5. Errors of usage    6. Foreign Language Study    7. Grammar    8. Idioms    9. Language    10. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    11. Phonetics & Phonics    12. United States    13. Usage    14. English    15. Usage guides   

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - General    2. English language    3. Grammar    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    8. Report writing    9. Rhetoric    10. English    11. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing    12. Writing skills   

Editorial Review

Think you've got a book inside of you? Anne Lamott isn't afraid to help you let it out. She'll help you find your passion and your voice, beginning from the first really crummy draft to the peculiar letdown of publication. Readers will be reminded of the energizing books of writer Natalie Goldberg and will be seduced by Lamott's witty take on the reality of a writer's life, which has little to do with literary parties and a lot to do with jealousy, writer's block and going for broke with each paragraph.Marvelously wise and best of all, great reading. ... Read more

Reviews (254)

A mixed bag
This book has some good writing advice, which I appreciate, but I was annoyed by the intrusive religious comments. It should have been marketed as a Christian writing book, or else I wish they had left the religion out of it. I do not expect to find this when I purchase a writing book. I want to hear about writing, not about how God can make me a better writer.
Worth reading and Saving !
This is one of the books that I will keep and re-read.Very well written and inspiring.I LOVED IT !! Made me "want" to write and made me feel that I could actually write something worth reading.

Depressing
I found this book very depressing. Anne Lamott's constant self-deprecation throughout the book caused me to really doubt myself as well. I know she is doing it to show that she's human just like the rest of us, but I think she can show that without hating on herself every chance she gets (saying the 9-year-old version of herself looked like a neurotic cat woman, etc.) despite what she says about how you shouldn't do that. It's like hanging around with a bunch of anorexic models, it gets to you.
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Journalism    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Reference    8. Writing Skills    9. Reference / Writing Skills   

Reviews (28)

The Elements of Style: A Classic with Timeless Advice
Although the original Elements of Style was written in 1919 (or earlier), it still holds true that anyone who wants to learn how to write in a clear and concise manner will benefit from this book. After reading this book you'll know to avoid breaking elementary rules and principles that are made in writing: excessiveuse of adjectives and adverbs, writing in the passive voice, using different tenses in writing, using the improper case of pronouns (example: using "who" when "whom" should be used and vice versa).
A Classic
This book was required for my high school English classes back in the late '60's. As an English professor, I use this book today. Many generations of students have benefited from this book's informal, conversational approach to teaching formal English (that is, excellent English that is precise and concise in form and content). Although I don't personally like the illustrations, this is my favorite edition of the book because the illustrations add a whimsical informality to substantive content.

Pictures + Punctuation= Fabulous Source of Info
The Elements of Style was great before pictures were added, but the color adds even that much more to a great source for grammar and punctuation.Easy to navigate, great examples through sentences and excerpts.Strunk and White have done it right! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English Composition    2. English Grammar    3. English language    4. Reference    5. Report writing    6. Rhetoric    7. Style    8. Writing Skills    9. Reference / Writing Skills   

Editorial Review

Writing for the screen is quirky business. A writer must labor meticulously over his or her prose, yet very little of that prose is ever heard by filmgoers. The few words that do reach the audience, in the form of the characters' dialogue, are, according to Robert McKee, best left to last in the writing process. ("As Alfred Hitchcock once remarked, 'When the screenplay has been written and the dialogue has been added, we're ready to shoot.' ") In Read more

Reviews (142)

By far the best book on the subject
I don't have much to add to what has been written about this remarkable book, except to say that McKee has more brains and more common sense than any writer I've seen on the subject.He spells out principles rather than rules, shows how they apply equally to a Hollywood blockbuster and a Bergman film, and most remarkably explains how things that appear to be exceptions to these principles are in fact, not.Start your reading on the subject here; everything else is just a footnote.

Robert McKee is Truly a Master of His Craft
'Story' has helped me immensely. This book is to all writers what Stephen King's book ("On Writing") is to novelists.
Great book on screenwriting, great presentation
I am a writer, not a screenwriter but found this book, that was recommended by a friend, to be outstanding for writers as well. The author takes you step by step, in incredible, logical detail, through the process of communicating and screenwriting. The concepts he uses, the style, it is all very easy to understand and while it takes a will to read it, an interest in the craft but it is well worth the read if you're interested in the topic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Play/Scriptwriting    3. Film & Video - Screenwriting    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Motion picture authorship    6. Motion picture plays    7. Performing Arts    8. Screenwriting    9. Technique    10. Creative writing guides    11. Performing Arts / Film / Screenwriting   

Reviews (51)

Take it for what it is!
Some writers need to not take themselves so seriously here. This is *not* a textbook on writing or publishing. There's no advice or sage wisdom on plot or character or dialogue or style. Chris doesn't tell you how to format your manuscript so as not to be marked an amateur by a publisher. It never claimed to be that. He tells you up front it's not that. There are hundreds of other books that address these issues.
Try it, I dare you!:)
I purchased Chris Baty's "No Plot? No Problem!" when it came out in 2004, read through it and thought, "hey, I could try this, but maybe later."Well, "later" became two years.I picked it back up this summer, read it cover to cover and picked August as the month in which I would write my next novel in its entirety.I did what Baty said, created a small support group, found plenty of blocks of time, even signed the contract in the book (and I don't write in books!).I was on my way.I threw convention and sense to the wind and finished my first writing day with nearly 1600 words and a cramp in my hand.I could do this.Day 2 I was still optimistic even though I couldn't think of much to say and had just over half of the previous day's word count.So, it'd be harder than I thought, but I could do this.
Great for people just starting out...
There are many of us out there who have never published a novel but who wanted to give an effort to write one.We walk into a book store and search, high and low, for that one perfect book that we believe will help us write that novel.The problem is, which book to buy?
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Fiction    3. Composition & Creative Writing - General    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    9. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    10. Body, Mind & Spirit / General    11. Creative writing guides   

Reviews (2)

Best current reference on Arabic
In 39 crisp chapters covering more than 700 pages Ryding organizes both the grand lines and essential details of Arabic language structure and grammar. This is a highly readable, easily searched linguistic reference. The index really does the job and her list of references alone is a significant academic contribution. Finally, this gem will make life easier for both students of Arabic and researchers. All my thumbs are up for this once in a lifetime linguistic treasure.

breath-taking
after experimenting with a lot of arabic grammar books I have finally met the most engaging one.I can not imagine the right words to give sufficient definition of the capabilities of this breath-taking book.every sentence is supplied with full transliteration.extensive,exhausive but not exhaushing.it is a must to buy book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arabic    2. Arabic language    3. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    4. General    5. Grammar    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Arabian peninsula    9. Grammar, syntax, linguistic structure    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / General    11. Saudi Arabia   

Subjects:  1. College readers    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    3. Composition & Creative Writing - General    4. English Composition    5. English language    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Language    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    10. Report writing    11. Rhetoric    12. Creative writing guides    13. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing    14. Writing skills   

Reviews (11)

Rules For Writers
Comprehensive grammar book.Great sections on APA and MLA format writing.

The best writing reference I've found for the SAT Writing Section
I'm an SAT tutor, and I haven't been thrilled with many of the grammar/usage/writing SAT books on the market.They usually do a decent job on a few topics but not all topics.I'm getting this book for every one of my students (and my own son) because it will not only help them with the SAT writing section but it serves as the best ongoing reference for their use in school.I haven't tried the CD-ROM yet (sold separately) but it has over 1000 practice exercises.

Comprehensive, better than the Bedford Handbook
The college where I teach English composition used Rules for Writers as the Handbook for three or four years. It now uses the Bedford Handbook. I found Rules for Writers to be very full and useful for every aspect of teaching, not only grammar and punctuation, but for composition and research writing as well. It tends to have fairly exhaustive explanations of most points of grammar. It has an especially good section on ESOL problems.All in all, it is a practical useful book that I keep on my writing desk for my own use, even though it is no longer used in our classes.
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. English language    4. Grammar    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    9. Report writing    10. Rhetoric    11. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing   

Reviews (4)

Out of date!
The book is very useful & accurate for citing books and other print articles, but has no information on citing web pages, emails, or other electronic texts. It is based on the 1995 4th edition of MLA, while MLA is up to the 6th edition (2003)

An Excellent, Although Incomplete, Source On MLA
This Review refers to the paperback edition of The Essentials of MLA Style: A Guide to the System of Documentation Recommended by the MLA for Writers of Research Papers, by Joseph F. Trimmer. CONCISE and easy to use MLA how-to book
Bought for my Kidlet, she's found it a wonderful guidebook to writing MLA style papers. We looked at the full-version (over 200 pages) and it was, quite frankly, overwhelming.Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Bibliographical citations    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    4. Editing & Proofreading    5. English Composition    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    9. Reference    10. Scholarly publishing    11. Style manuals    12. Writing Skills    13. Reference / Writing Skills    14. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (8)

Beware "Ways of Brainwashing" student turned teacher
The essays in this book aren't particularly enlightening; however, they are often misused not to start debate or critical thinking, but rather to show students "what they SHOULD learn and feel about the topics."I didn't like any of the essays in this book because they didn't tell me anything I didn't already know.I am already the product of a democratic, public education.Thus, I am tolerant and accepting of others' views and opinions.I don't need tolerance beaten into me over the course of a semester.This book should only be used for the formerly home-schooled and religious right, as it will only open worlds for them.
From a Teacher
I have used this book to teach a freshman writing and reading course at a liberal arts school.Because of the difficulty of many of the texts, it was met by my students with little fanfare.While a few of the pieces are clearly too much for the average freshman (Foucault comes first to mind), most can be used effectively to get them to discuss issues.I have found that the students would rather talk in generals and universals than with the intricate arguments that some of the writers brilliantly present. Challenging, yet rewarding read
I had to read this book for my upper division journalism class this fall and found it to be one of the best books that we used in the course.The editors have tried to collect well-written, intelligent documentaries that challenge traditional connections between words and photographs.Read more

Subjects:  1. College readers    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. English language    4. Language    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Problems, exercises, etc    8. Report writing    9. Rhetoric    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing   

Reviews (1)

A wealth of information
Finally, I was required to a buy a book that I will actually use again.Both pre-student and veteren teachers will enjoy this book.It contains a wealth of strategies for teaching kids how to write. Although there is aa lot of great information however, if your like me you don't have tons oftime for reading through all the historical and case study information. Each section is clearly explained so it's great to just pick and choosewhat you are looking for. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Elementary    4. Language    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Language arts (Elementary)    7. Study & Teaching    8. Language & Literature    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Study & Teaching    10. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (14)

Revision of Holman's classic Handbook
The original compiler/editor, Hugh Holman, had created a classic--probably the best handbook to literature (almost exclusively English and American) available.The latest edition (10th) has everything that Holman had, with some modifications and additions.One of best features of Handbook is its invaluable time-line at the end, covering every major book and author in every major period of English literature, side-by-side with a chronology of American literature.

A Handbook to Literature (10th edition)
Easily one of the best handbooks on the market, and an indispensable reference for English teachers of literature and researchers at all levels.After thirty-seven years in teaching, I still make certain my copy of AHTL is readily accessible.

Great for School
This text was required, and it was cheaper at Amazon than the local university book stores. The book is actually great. I wish I had it when I first started school. It is fantastic at describing various literary terms and definitions. We may know a term in general use; however, in literary use the term may have a different meaning, and this is when this book comes in very handy. Utilize this book and you can actually participate in class discussion and not feel like a dummy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. General    3. Literary Criticism    4. Literature    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Literary Criticism & Collections / General    7. Literature: History & Criticism   

Reviews (5)

Expensive for Students, Expansive for Instructors
I have been teaching with Markel's 7th ed. for almost two years now, and I find that the book provides a springboard for all sorts of discussions into the wild world of Technical Writing. I can typically get through about three quarters of the book in a semester, and I am constantly tweaking the class to allow students more access to the material from this book.
Owner's review
This book is in awesome shape, I used it for an online course, so i have never carried in a book bag.No markings, and very very minimal corners bent.

Interesting and real world scenarios
I teach technical writing at a community college and frequently switched textbooks until I discovered Mike Markel's.It is well organized, gives 8 measures of excellence in technical writing that students quickly grasp, has very up-to-date scenarios that prompt critical reading and writing and the online quizzes and resources are the frosting on the cake.This book is a great tool for educators, students and absolutely anyone who wishes to write in a professional manner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    2. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Technical Writing    5. Technology    6. Telecommunications    7. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing   

Editorial Review

Short and snappy as it is, Stephen King's