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Books on writing

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September 15, 2005, 20:36
Kalleh
Books on writing
I write a lot for my job and am looking for a good book to help with how to present reports of our work and our recommendations more clearly and succinctly.

Can anyone recommend a good book? I saw one at Borders tonight, named "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser that looked good to me. Has anyone read it? I am not looking for a bunch of grammar rules! Thanks!
September 16, 2005, 21:46
KHC
Kalleh,

An excellent one is If You Can Talk, You Can Write by Joel Saltzman. Referred to me by a friend who is in PR for Univ. of Ga.
A great book!
September 17, 2005, 04:00
Richard English
Had I known before he left I'd have asked my friend Tim Albert to call you. He's in Chicago right now and he runs writing courses for doctors!

A book I use all the time is Michael Temple's "Pocket Guide to Written English" which is a small book packed with useful tips. Sadly I think it's now out of print but you might be able to get a secondhand copy.


Richard English
September 17, 2005, 19:24
Kalleh
Thanks, KHC and Richard. I will look into both of them. One thing that struck me about Zinsser's book was that he said writing clearly all depends on your thinking clearly. That really makes sense. I used to think that some people just have trouble writing, but it actually may be more complicated than that.
September 19, 2005, 06:09
Dianthus
quote:
Originally posted by Kalleh:
I write a lot for my job and am looking for a good book to help with how to present reports of our work and our recommendations more clearly and succinctly.

Can anyone recommend a good book? I saw one at Borders tonight, named "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser that looked good to me. Has anyone read it? I am not looking for a bunch of grammar rules! Thanks!


How about Fight the FOG? Well do I remember learning about the FOG Index when I did my Technical Authorship course Smile!

Here is another one.

This has several links which might be useful.

Style Guide

Just in case you ever need it - How to Write Research Proposals may come in useful.

You could adapt these tips on how to write a Philosophy Paper.