Product Description
Here is a practical guide to writing short stories that explains all the essential techniques of fiction - from character and plot to flashback and foreshadowing - in a way that is both understandable and useful to the beginning writer. Long considered a classic in the field, WRITING IN GENERAL is the product of a lifetime of reflection by one of our best literary minds.Amazon.com Review
"There are now not enough commercial magazines regularlypublishing literary fiction to count on the fingers of a single hand,"says Rust Hills. So why bother writing literary short stories, orbooks about doing so? Because, says Hills, a longtime fiction editorat Esquire, "what young writers want to write, or ought to wantto write, is literature." In Writing in General and the Short Storyin Particular, Hills examines "the essential techniques of fictionand how they function." The short story is a tricky form, with nomargin for error: "The successful contemporary short story," saysHills, "will demonstrate a more harmonious relationship of all itsaspects than will any other literary art form, excepting perhaps lyricpoetry." Many of the fictional elements discussed in this book willnot be new to most fiction writers. We know that stories must havebeginnings, middles, and ends; we know about epiphany and suspense andstock characters. But Hills claims that much of how we look at fictionderives from drama theory and from the formulas of "slick fiction"(fiction that once served the purpose mindless television now serves).Learned but not pedantic, Hills addresses these elements strictly interms of literary short fiction.

An interesting side note here is Hills's discussion of the shift insupport for American writers. "It is no longer the book publishers andmagazines," he says, "but rather the colleges and universities that... provide the major financial support for the great majority ofAmerican writers today." Given that, we might find it odd that thisbook comes from a man best known for his magazine editing. But weshouldn't. "Teaching fiction writing and editing magazine fiction have... the same rather odd ultimate purpose in common: trying to getsomeone else to produce a fine short story." One caveat emptor: ourcopy of this edition fell quite apart upon our first, gentle readingof it. --Jane Steinberg ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Bits of good info in a sea of rambling
As an editor, not a writer, Hills brings an unusual perspective to the subject. Sadly, he's quite a rambler and I occasionally found his style to be impenetrable. (Dare I say an editor needed an editor?)

There are some good thought provoking bits throughout the book, but they are weighed down by a disproportionate (and evenly distributed) amount of needless chatter and reiteration. The sections are pleasingly short (generally 2-4 pages) but many of them could have been even shorter. In some cases, I felt a section did little to expand upon what was stated in its title. An example being "Knowing a Character," over half of which is made up of arbitrary needling questions.

I did find Hills' talk of "slick fiction" (a term for cliche pulp fiction) and how it has moved from the magazine short story to the modern television show interesting. Unfortunately, I found his instructive voice less informative than his recollection of history.

If you're looking for insight into what makes the short story tick, Hills' book may get the job done but it is at times arduous and frustrating. I would instead recommend a book like Damon Knight's Creating Short Fiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Short Fiction.

Finally, a book on plot
Written for short story writers, this literary book gave me a lot to think about.There are many good writing guides on description, character, dialogue, etc., but none had addressed my struggles with plot.Originally published in 1977.

Disparaging cynicism
Writing in General and the Short Story in Particular' is directed at writers rather than readers. Yet in the introduction, Hills says "Everyone seems to know that, even those thousands all across the country sitting in creative writing workshops right this minute, either being paid to do the impossible or paying to have it done to them." (P. Viii).

This sentence is typical of Rust's writing. It is riddled with long, meandering sentences, that often start with 'And' or 'But', have parenthesis in the middle, and are often incomplete. They choke the enthusiasm of the reader like indigestible food.

The book has nearly 60 paragraphs in its 200 pages. Short stucco and poorly linked, they irritate the readers eye like dust from a sand storm. The book's structure does not appear to reflect the structure or skills of writing. The content is often repetitious. If a 'How to.." book has value then it will become a reference for writers. For that it needs an index.

Everyone knows that if a writer has a good story to tell, then the reader will often forgive the writing to gain the story. Especially a reader seeking to learn. Hills does not have a story worth the effort. All that he has to say can be found in a number of excellent texts 'on writing' some like King's 'On writing' are also also entertaining. "Writing ....the Short Story in Particular' contains little that is of help for that particularly.

"Even then," writes Rust "it wouldn't be a short story. I don't know what it would be." (P.81). The disparaging sentiment of the introduction is a theme continued throughout the book. If the lesson of Rust's years of editing short stories is that creative writing cannot be taught, then what was the point in Rust putting pen to paper to writers?

just Jack

Best in field
Once read, twice read, an aspiring writer of short stories (or other) will not be needing another how-to book of its ilk.

Covers a lot in a slim volume
I think I've read all I need to know or want to know for now on writing the literary short story. I learnt a lot from this book and liked the way Hills talks straight about the high-flown stuff. I found that his commentary was based a little too much on Henry James--for, against, etc. And in one too many areas I was irritated by his saying one thing and saying that the contrary works, too.

The reading is sometimes arduous, but mostly it's worth reading this book and absorbing all the advice and good inputs that a writer may never receive otherwise. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (20)

A handbook for writers
Paula LaRocque knows how to deliver instruction, and she does it in such a way that it's fun. Her book isn't just a grammar coach, it's a writer's handbook. It's easy to read, easy to understand, and filled with a truckload of useful information. Anybody wishing to polish their prose needs to read it.

Kindle formatting issues
The book may have great content (as all the 5 star reviews would indicate), but the formatting for the Amazon kindle makes it very tough to comprehend.The book needs a good technician to go through and make sure that all of the example text is indented, bolded, or otherwise set out from the normal (author's) text of the book.As it is, you'll be reading along and suddenly it seems the author is talking about something totally non-sequitur. It then takes a moment to realize that oh, this is some other example text she will be analyzing. It is quite jarring.When the author starts quoting sections of the example text, things get particularly mystifying as it appears that sections of text are just randomly repeating themselves.

If you are interested in the Kindle version, be sure to download the sample first to make sure you know what you are getting into.I hate to give only a 3 star review to something that would appear to be pretty good, but the product I obtained was the kindle edition, and that is what I am reviewing.Amazon really needs to segregate reviews by edition in some cases.

Absolutly the BEST book on writing!
If there was an award for the best book on how to be a better writer, this one wins hands down. Paula LaRoque has created The Most Valuable Writers Guide I've ever read. It's straight to the point and delightful to read. Whether you are just learning the craft, or you are ready to write the next best seller, first you need to read this book. It's a gold mine.

The Book on Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Well by Paula LaRocque
An excellent resource for any writer who is seeking growth. Wonderfully written, it is a great tool to refer to again and again.

have yet to read
i have yet to read the book.same problem i have with writing...oh well..will have to buy a book on not being a procrastinator. ... Read more

Product Description

Supercharge your writing skills . . . by the end of the week!

In the workplace, your writing speaks volumes about you. Whether you’re craftinga three-line message or a 300-page report, you need to write in a polished, professionalway—regardless of your position or profession.The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Course in Business Writing andCommunication puts you on the fast track to becoming astrong, persuasive business writer. Complete with exercises,self-tests, and an online final exam, this multifaceted businesswriting “course” teaches you how to:

• SEIZE READERS’ INTEREST INSTANTLY
• ELIMINATE NONSPECIFIC WORDS AND PHRASES
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• CREATE POWERFUL PRESENTATIONS

Present yourself at the top of your game in every e-mail, memo, report, andpresentation with The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Course in Business Writing andCommunication!

Customer Reviews (2)

a very poor example and learning tool
This could have been better with more exercises and tips.too long and too much about the authors stories

Highly Recommended
Highly recommended and a must read book for professionals involved in business writing.

It turns the writing into a structured process and help you produce more effective writing. ... Read more

Product Description
Kids travel with Sammy Octopus on a reading and writing adventure. They are encouraged to try different methods of writing and see which way works best for them. They also learn the value of revising and editing, engage in activities that help them make good word choices, and get practice in descriptive writing, letter writing, report writing, poetry, and much more.

Teachers in grades 3 and 4 will appreciate the new Painless Junior Series of classroom helpers. Designed to resemble titles in BarronÂ's Painless SeriesÂ-- which are used in middle school and high school classroomsÂ--the Painless Junior books feature larger page sizes, amusing illustrations, games, puzzles, and an approach to their subjects that reflects third- and fourth-grade curricula. Their purposeis to inject an element of enjoyment into subjects that many younger students find either boring or mystifying. KidsÂ' understanding will improve as they have fun learning. ... Read more

Product Description
On Writing Short Stories, Second Edition, explores the art and craft of writing short fiction by bringing together nine original essays by professional writers and thirty-three examples of short fiction. The first section features original essays by well-known authors--including Francine Prose, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andre Dubus--that guide students through the process of writing. Focusing on the characteristics and craft of the short story and its writer, these essays take students from the workshopping process all the way through to the experience of working with agents and publishers. The second part of the text is an anthology of stories--many referred to in the essays--that give students dynamic examples of technique brought to life.

In this second edition, author-editor Tom Bailey brings the text up-to-date with new and revised essays, alongside classic pieces by Robert Coles and Frank Conroy and a foreword by Tobias Wolff.
New to This Edition

* Includes new and revised essays: Two new essays on workshopping by award-winning fiction writers Robert Boswell ("After the Workshop: Transitional Drafts") and Antonya Nelson ("Whose Story Is It? The Anonymous Workshop") introduce the latest techniques in the process. C. Michael Curtis updates his essay on "Publishers and Publishing" in order to take into account the rise of electronic and online publishing.

* Offers an expanded, diversified anthology of thirty-three stories, including works by short-short fiction and non-Western authors. New selections include works by such well-known authors at Jhumpa Lahiri and ZZ Packer.

* The essay on craft is accompanied by writing exercises that push students to develop their craft as they work through the writing process.Amazon.com Review
Don't overlook the On in the title of On Writing ShortStories. Though there is a chapter by its editor, Tom Bailey, on theelements of short fiction, the book explores a variety of issues ofinterest to short-story writers. Francine Prose grapples with thewhat-constitutes-a-short-story question: "Great short stories make usmarvel at their integrity, their economy," she writes. "If we went at themwith our blue pencils, we might find we had nothing to do." Joyce CarolOates ponders reading as a writer, Andre Dubus contemplates the habit ofwriting, and Robert Coles explores "literatures as a means of understandinghuman affairs."

C. Michael Curtis, writer of 30 to 40 rejection letters daily as senior editor for The Atlantic Monthly, tells how best to ensure that your short-fiction submissions receive "friendly consideration." And University of Iowa Writers' Workshop director Frank Conroy weighs in on the writer's workshop and what he sees as the mistaken belief that workshops imprint themselves upon their students' work. "Art cannot be made by committee," he writes. "The student ... should not be looking for solutions from the other students or from the teacher. The student should be looking for problems in the text that he or she had not been aware of." Also here are writing exercises; a list of magazines, journals, and quarterlies that publish short fiction; and 18 classic short stories, including de Maupassant's "The String," Tillie Olsen's "I Stand Here Ironing," and Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried." --Jane Steinberg ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Liked the book...
This book has been a great addition to my writing books.Book was reasonably priced and arrived in good shape in a timely manner.

On Writing Short Stories
Although the basic bones are good, I was looking for something not JUST to teach me, but to capture my attention enough to hold me and help me with mycraft.Sadly this was not the book for me.I have found others that are far easier to follow and I am a very strong reader with good comprehension.Maybe I fell short, or maybe not?I won't return it, but it gets two stars for the effort of the author trying to help.

The New Edition of "On Writing Short Stories" (2010)
Addendum: (28 July 2010)

The second edition of the just published "On Writing Short Stories" is a single volume 432-page version that combines and upgrades the first editions of "On Writing Short Stories" and "A Short-Story Writer's Companion." The new book comprises two parts: expository essays on craft; and an anthology of short stories.

Tom Bailey, the editor of the second edition, contributesan excellent 55-pageexposition of short-story writing basics: Character, Plot, Setting, Metaphor, and Voice. Other essays on craft include Francine Prose's " What Makes a Short Story" (9 pages) ; Joyce Carol Oates's "Reading as a Writer: The Artist as Craftsman" (13 pages); and C. Michael Curtis's "Publishers and Publishing" (13 pages). The expository essays constitute a third of the book.

The anthology comprises thirty stories, nearly twice the number in the first edition. They range from classics such as Guy de Maupassant's "The String"; Anton Chekov's "The Lady with the Pet Dog"; William Faulkner's " A Rose for Emily"; to contemporary stories such as Margaret Atwood's "Happy Endings"; Joyce Carol Oates's "Heat"; and Tobias Wolff's "Bullet in the Brain." Bailey has added a multicultural dimension by including outstanding contemporary stories like Jhumpa Lahiri's "A Temporary Matter"; Z Z Packer's "Brownies"; and Junot Diaz's "Nilda."

Each story is introduced with a quote by its writer "to place the writer and his or her shiort story and style in the context of the history of the genre." A brief biographical note follows the quote.For example, Jhumpa Lahiri's quote:"It interests me to imagine characters shifting from one situation and one location to another.... When you grow up the child of an immigrant you are always -- or at least I was -- very conscious of what it means or might mean to be uprooted or to uproot yourself....""Indian American authoress Jhumpa Lahiri, winner of the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for her short story collection 'The Interpreter of Maladies,'...."I was astonished by the usage "authoress" in a literary book published in 2010. (Lahiri does not include "The" in her book's title. ) On rereading the preface, I learned that the biographical notes are not Tom Bailey's work; he assigned them to one of his students.

The exercises at the end of each of Bailey's essays on craft elements -- totalling fifty exercises --make the new edition a five-star book for self-teaching or as a source for writing workshops.

-- C. J. Singh
----------------
The following is a copy of my review of the first editions of Bailey's "On Writing Short Stories" and "A Short-Story Writer's Companion"

Whenever asked to recommend onebasic book on the craft of short-story writing, I choose Tom Bailey's "A Short-Story Writer's Companion" and the companion anthology edited by him, "On Writing Short Stories."Okay, that makes two books; however, with the duplicate material excised, the two could easily be republished as one 350-page book.

In this brief book (184 pages), Tom Bailey helps the beginning writer learn more about the craft of short-story writing than the long-standing textbook "Writing Fiction" by Janet Burroway (434 pages) and the recent textbook "The Making of a Story" by Alice LaPlante (672 pages).These three craft-writers include several of the same short stories -- such as Flannery O'Connor's "Everything That Rises Must Converge," Tobias Wolff's "Bullet in the Brain," Tim O' Brien's "The Things They Carried." However, Tom Bailey comments on the craft elements of each story in much greater detail, making it an excellent self-teaching book. He introduces the quotes from the stories so lucidly that his book is easily accessible even without the anthology. Bailey instructsmore in fewer pages by his superior strategy of providing more detailed craft analyses of carefully chosen stories.

Unlike Burroway and LaPlante, Bailey presents one of his own published stories, "Snow Dreams," to illustrate the writing, copyediting, and publishing processes. And a very well-written story it is, indicating that Bailey is master of not only the craft but also the art of short-story writing.

-- C J Singh

==================================
More details?

The anthology edited by Bailey, On Writing Short Stories (see my review on amazon)
comprisesall of the stories he analyzes in detail in his
"A Short-Story Writer's Companion."

Eighteen stories:
Among them are nineteenth-century classics (Maupassant's "The Strings,"
Chekov's "The Lady with the Pet Dog");
twentieth-centuryclassics (Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants,"
Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily,"
Carver's "Cathedral");
contemporary stories (Cynthia Ozick's "The Shawl,"
John Updike's "A & P,"
Joyce Carol Oates's "Heat,"
Susan Minot's "Lust,"
Louise Erdrich's "Saint Marie").

The anthologyalso presents illuminating essays by:
Francine Prose, "What Makes a Short Story?";
Joyce Carol Oates, "Reading as a Writer--The Artist as Craftsman";
Andre Dubus, "The Habit of Writing";
Frank Conroy "The Writer's Workshop";
and C. Michael Curtis, "Publishers and Publishing."

Conroy's essay demystifies the Iowa Writer's Workshop model that continues to prevail in MFA programs in Creative Writing.

An essential resource for short fiction writers
Less a 'how to' book than an examination of the short story as an art form, ON WRITING SHORT STORIES is about showing rather than telling (just like good fiction itself).

Particularly useful are its dissections of classic short stories, using them as case studies that aptly demonstrate what works in a story and why. The analysis of "The lady with the pet dog," and "Hills like white elephants" are both very useful. I found this book educational as a whose-who of short fiction authors, as well as a very complete examination of what makes a short story from the perspective of both technical style, format, and the intangible qualities of good fiction.

Worth reading if for no other reason that it contains an excellent collection of short fiction from A-list writers, ON WRITING SHORT STORIES is an enthusiastic look at the art of writing, and a perfect resource for anyone desiring to take the next step themselves.

Best book on writing...
Pound for pound, this may be the best book on, about, or for aspiring writers.

I have read at least 10 books on the craft of writing and a bunch on theory and technique... this book is right up there with the best of the best.If you couple this book with Raymond Carver's posthumous "Call if You Need Me" and mix in a few careful readings of any Richard Yates interview, you've got yourself some tough rope to tow.But if you want to be a strong writer, suck it up and do it anyway!

I hold a BA in fiction writing.I also tend to write literary realist fiction.If you are of the same mind, this book will help you tremendously.It is brutal in it's explanation of what to steer clear of and what to include, but that is how it should be.If you take writing very seriously, and want to take it to the next level, this book is a great start.

You can't go wrong when you have advice from C. Michael Curtis (Fiction Editor of the most prominent publication in America) and Frank Conroy (Chairman to the most prestegious writing institute in America.)Pay attention folks.This is the real deal.Add in some very helpful workshop activites from one Tom Bailey (only a head writing professor at Harvard) and some very heartfelt tips from a true master like Dubus... Forget about it!

"On becoming a Novelist" was good."ABCs of Reading" was good."The Lonely Voice" was decent.Forster's guidance was revolutionary, but this book is perfect for now.Go buy it and then read all the Carver and Yates and Dubus and Wolff you can get your grubby little hands on.You'll be a better writer for it.Trust me! ... Read more

Product Description

Make your living through writing

If you want to write for magazines on a freelance basis you will find a treasure of information in Teach Yourself Writing for Magazines. This practical, step-by-step guide informs you about the entire process of getting published, from the initial research to targeting a specific audience to ensuring you meet your deadline.

Product Description
The Art of Readable Writing is an indispensable guide to writing fluently. Noted language maven Dr. Rudolf Flesch moves beyond his examination of and advice on grammar and usage in The Art of Plain Talk to the more general principles of style in contemporary writing. Drawing upon a wealth of material from sources as varied as Aristotle and Life magazine, Dr. Flesch shows us how we can write more simply and effectively. His famous Readability Formula, devised specially for this book, explains how to analyze writing for its clarity and interest. Entertaining and stimulating and crammed with commonsensical advice, The Art of Readable Writing is, above all, immensely readable. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not among Flesch's best work
This book first appeared in 1949. In 1974, Flesch revised it by writing postscripts to each chapter. Basically he denounced much of what he had written 25 years earlier. If you're interested in learning about Flesch's readablility formula, I suggest you buy his book How to Write, Speak, and Think More Effectively, which, incidentally, is still in print and provides a good introduction to Flesch's work. My advice is to buy (used) the following books by Flesch, none of which are in print: 1) How to Make Sense (1954), 2) The Art of Clear Thinking (1951), 3) The Art of Plain Talk (1946), 4) How to be Brief (1962), and 5) Say What You Mean (1972). If you're still set on buying The Art of Readable Writing, I recommend that you buy the 25th Anniversary Edition (1974) with Flesch's improvements and corrections. I think you'll find that his postscripts are far more interesting than the original text.

Not a book on penmanship!
Contrary to the previous review's misinformation, this is not a book on penmanship, but a guide to improving your writing in the sense of composition. As such it is a worthwhile book, and worth your time, but probably only after you have finished with the Elements of Style.

great for the penmanship challenged
I gave this book to my little brother as a gift to improve his penmanship.Knowing that penmanship has alot to do with a persons attitude, i decided to try and change his penmanship because i couldnt change his attitude.This book has helped him tremendously.It did take some time and somepractice, however, the results were well worth it. ... Read more

Product Description
This book outlines chapter-by-chapter the steps involved inwriting a thesis and proposal.The Introduction and chapterson Methods, Results, and Discussion sections outline the essential content ofeach section of the thesis. A concluding chapter on style offers practical tipson how to organize, explain, and produce forceful writing. The book presentsseven major groupings of statistical analyses, with complete illustrations. Italso demonstrates appropriate wording and statistical essentials and offersadvice on what not to include. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent Information
This book will help you in many aspects on your thesis writing.

EXCELLANT
This is the Best reference manual for anyone writing a thesis. I used only this book in writing my Master Thesis.

sharon the bear
Why do you recommend that your students buy so many how to books and what college are you affiliated to? The one the teddy bears have their picnic at?

Excellent reference for design, development, and writing!
As someone who works privately with students, helping them with theses, I highly recommend this book.When students call me in regard to assistance with their thesis, I recommend that they buy this book and use it as areference.As the title states, this book addresses students' concernsabout design, development, and writing, as well as presentation.Inaddition, it does an excellent job of walking students through the processof writing a thesis.It is a practical and easy to use guide.

Indespensible book for Seniors and Graduate Students
This is an EXCELLANT reference manual for anyone writing a senior project,a master's thesis, or a doctoral dissertation. The book is easy to read andoffers step-by-step advice on how to pick a research topic, how to writeyour proposal, introduction, methods section, results, and discussion.Examples are included for each phase and the author even gives advice onwhat NOT to write, and how to avoid common mistakes. This is indispensable. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

A Guide to Writing Sociology
I thought this book was very helpful in writing a sociology paper it mapped out how they should be written .Using this book can only boost your grades in this area. ... Read more

Product Description
The special task of spiritual writers is to learn to accommodate the commercial needs of publishers while remaining true to their mission. Focusing on such practical aspects of getting published as query letters, proposals, and editing, as well as finding agents and publishers interested in spiritual material, Deborah Herman guides the spiritual writer in a continuous process of self-discovery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

ideas for 'spiritual' writers / self-improvement
I found it very helpful not only for what 'to do' but indirectly the 'not to do'.The book has info on how to pitch, and 'who' to pitch.. invaluable as a guideline.Ms. Herman and Ms. Black are too nice - if there is such a thing. All in all - a great navigational aid for any aspiring writer of material that can be categorized as 'spiritual' - a very wide genre, always with good intentions---and always needing guidance in the 'real world' of getting a book sold.I read all books in the writing spiritual category I could find; this one andHal Zina Bennett's are the best available.If you are a spiritual writer, or aspiring to --be buy them both! now.

Spiritual/Metaphysical/New-Age CopyWriting Gold
While working on my Query letter for Ancient Astral Gemstones & Talismans II, I've read and reviewed 3 different books on Query Writing. The information in this book is better than gold for trying to find the right Agent to publish this book. In addition to excellent advice, the book has a wealth of Literary Agents and Publishers who specialize in precisely the type of book I need to publish. None of the other CopyWriting books or articles I've read to date can compare with it.

Superb
The perfect book for authors who want to share a book that is spiritually guided. The book provides an abundant list of spiritually inclined agents and pubslishers. It is also provides the nuts and bolts of how to write an effective book proposal.

Very helpful to spiritual writers
This book is written by people who have spent many hours at the writers desk confronting and overcoming the many obstacles that beset spiritual writers. Their experience spans from the writers notepad to the editors desk to getting published. Well done and thank you for this book.

Spiritual Writing
A great resource book! Not only do Herman and Black help the writer along from inspiration, to perspiration, to publication and all the steps in between, they offer a great section of resources. This book is a must for the Spiritual Writer's library. Listed here are resources that are actually "Spirit-friendly." Nowhere else can such a listing be found! I highly recommended this book for all Spiritual writers! ... Read more

Product Description
Write reports that get read, remembered, and acted on promptly.Write it right the first time and publish timely information.

Writing High-Impact Reports presents scores of practical techniques that the author has developed to help auditors and accountants present their results quickly, clearly, and convincingly.

In this book, you will discover:
--What readers do and don't value in your written reports.
--Why recipients don't always grasp the significance of issues you present.
--How you can make it easy for readers to understand and accept your key points.
--The secrets to writing reports that emphasize actions and solutions.

Writing High-Impact Reports is a complete toolkit.It includes bonus material on a CD, a laminated Tip Sheet, plenty of how-to writing tips, and lots of examples. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Helpful Book - Excellent Tool
I was going back and forth on whether to spend the money on the book. I thought the cost was a little steep.The book is excellent and worth every penny.It provides useful and clear guidance. Excellent book. ... Read more

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The McGraw-Hill Guide to Writing is designed to help students learn to write more effectively not only in their college courses but also in their professional, civic, and personal lives. Combining a flexible reader, rhetoric, research guide, and handbook, The McGraw-Hill Guide shows students how to set goals for their writing, to use effective composing strategies to reach those goals, and to assess their progress toward achieving them. Based on the idea that effective writers are strong communicators in any context, The McGraw-Hill Guide to Writing emphasizes the skills established by the Writing Program Administrator's Outcomes Statement that form the foundation of assessment practices at writing programs throughout the country -- rhetorical knowledge, critical thinking, writing processes, and conventions. These skills form the basis of the instruction in each assignment chapter and throughout the text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great Service
The book was in very good condition and was shipped to me in a very timely manor.This saved me over $60 buying it on Amazon!Every student should buy their text books from Amazon!

Great book...Great value!
This book was in great condition, sent VERY fast and was a really good deal!I will def. do business with them again!

College Freshman Writing
This book was alright...Did not really use it a whole lot in my english comp class but other wise helpful in most ways. Great for the incoming freshman.

Satisfied
Bought for a college course, was satisfied with payment and with the amount of time that it was received in. Would recommend

McGraw Hill Guide Purchase
I was very satisfied with my purchase.Book was as good quality as was promised.Would have liked to receive product sooner! ... Read more

Product Description
Based on the premise that one of the best ways for a student to understand a topic is to write about it, this is a book that teaches students how to write philosophical essays. Geared toward first-time philosophy students, the book is a supplement for any Philosophy course in which the instructor requires the students to write essays. Most of the work involved in a Philosophy class is reading assigned material, thinking about it, and then writing about it – whether on an exam or in an essay written outside of class. This book is designed to make all three of those activities easier. Writing to Learn begins with helpful hints on how to read philosophy (chapter 2). In chapters 3 through 7 students are guided through several different types of essays, beginning with the simplest summaries that demonstrate knowledge and understanding, and progressing through essays that require the application of theories to new situations, the analysis and evaluation of arguments used, and finally, the synthesis of several theories or arguments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Helpful advice, helpfully given.
I started using this book in my philosophy classes as a supplement for student writing and thinking.The book uses Bloom's taxonomy to build student thinking and writing from the simply understanding what you are reading (being to able to paraphrase and summarize) to applying it, analyzing and evaluating it, and finally synthesizing it with your own beliefs. Edwards' explanations are short but very much to the point, and she includes examples both good and bad to clarify her ideas. Her basic belief I think is right on:the best way to understand a topic is to have to write about it.More people need to see this connection between thought and paper! Edwards never talks down to you either.This gives the basics principles clearly and concisely, and is an excellent way to improve philosohical thinking and writing!

Excellent
This book is excellent. It belongs in the same category as Strunk and Whit's book on writing. It is only 106 pages long. But the author uses every inch to deliver sound advice about writing philosophy essays in particular and other kinds of essays in general. In seperate chapters, she explains and illustrates the different kinds of essays that are assigned in college philosophy courses: essays for understanding, application, analysis, evaluation and systhesis. She even discusses how to research philosophy problems and take philosophy exams. She must have worked very hard to pack so much sound advice into such a slim volume. Any philosophy student who "understands" and applies her principles will enhance his GPA dramatically. This book should be required reading in every undergraduate and graduate philosophy course. ... Read more

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From the author of 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades comes this collection of essential forms for assessing students, planning instruction, communicating with parents, and teaching the writing process. From handy rubrics to weekly planning sheets to letters for encouraging writing at home, all the tools teachers need to make the most of the traits are here, with clear guidelines for using them. For use with Grades K–2. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

Best Encouragement Towards Writing
I am a new Poet, just starting out after retirement (Military) and have found Ted Kooser, to be one of the "Best" in the business.He certainly gives MUCH - MUCH Encouragement, in wanting to write.His advice, especially towards "processes" is Outstanding.I wish he would write more, towards techniques in writing poetry."Thank You"
T. R. Harmon

A small book with much in it
I have been writing for over forty years, and it seems to me I might have done better with it all had I paid more attention to one central piece of advice given in this book, the advice about listening to the reader, caring to communicate with the reader, learning from the reader's reaction.
This book is a very friendly guide to the writer and would - be- writer. It is written with a clearness and common sense and real concern for helping out 'others'.Its spirit, its unpretentiousness, clarity are all in its favor.
The authors teach the value of writing every day, of concentrating on communicating with the reader. They also have a section on the business of getting oneself published. They advise against trying to go over the head of the reader with dazzling displays of knowledge or virtuosity, and instead communicating to the reader. They suggest that much good writing comes from everyday life, and is about telling stories of everyday life in a winning way. They go into details of the writing process to show how to make it more effective.
This is a small book with much in it.

Motivating
This book is excellent for someone who may have inhibitions when it comes to expressing themselves in their writing...someone who just needs a slight push to feel less apprehensive. I felt it was more for someone who just started writing or who wants to write, but has been too afraid vs. someone whose seriously looking to improve their craft.

Who says you can't write?
This is not your every day how-to book about writing. Nor is it a writing text book. It's a solid, easy to follow guide to get you writing after all the years of saying you wish you could. It won't guarantee you'll be published. But it will give you realistic suggestions that if followed will help you improve your writing.
Co-author Ted Kooser follows his own advice: he communicates. To Kooser, all writing is communication and if it's poorly written communication fails. Kooser is a former Poet Laureate and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. He is a professor of English at the University of Nebraska--Lincoln. Joining Kooser is Steve Cox who is an editor, publisher, freelance writer and director emeritus of the University of Arizona Press.
The 177 pages of the book are full of useable information for any writer--published or unpublished. Nine sections cover every aspect of writing from "What Do You Know?" to "Copyright, Libel and Invasion of Privacy."
Composition teachers will shudder at the section entitled: "Rules? We Don' Need No Stinkin' Rules!" Kooser and Cox quote author Elmore Leonard: "If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow what we learned in English to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative."
Aaagh! Miss Spencer who taught Comp 101 would have a coronary!
"Many writers have been tempted to tell you everything they have learned about writing...Writing is a capacious activity that allows for a lot of individuality. Nobody's wrong, and nobody's necessarily right," the authors write.
Most new writers don't grasp the importance of revising. Kooser and Cox write: "It's a rare first draft that can be published or even read in public. Almost every piece of writing needs some rewriting, rethinking, and polishing before it is ready to take center stage." Their suggestion on the importance of revising is to "let it [draft] cool" a while before revising.
Stephen King, the authors point out, sets the first draft of his books aside for six weeks before writing the second draft.
The personality of your writing can determine your own personality, they write: "Expressing yourself positively will have a remarkable effect on your life...It turns out that writing positively leads you into the habit of thinking positively, and thinking positively leads you to behaving positively in other areas of your life."
The focus of the book is how to get started writing, how to keep going and how to get publicity. It does a good job of meeting that goal.

Write past the fear
Good book to get beyond those vague fears about expressing oneself with the written word. Encouraging and helpful, I would recommend this book to any new writer who just needs a little boost. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

Required Reading
Journalistic Writing should be required reading for aspiring journalists. Bob Knight touches all the bases--newspapers, magazines, radio TV and the Internet. Not only is Knight's book the ideal basic training manual, it's also an invaluable resource for those who have been working in the field as reporters, writers and editors.

If I were the editor of a newspaper I'd make it mandatory that all of my fellow editors and all of my writers and copyreaders spent one hour every month dwelling on one of the chapters. That would entail having sessions a couple of times a week and maybe some makeup sessions for those on vacation or out of town during a given month. But this "advanced placement refresher course" would certainly be worth the investment in hours.

Neil Milbert
Chicago Tribune Sportswriter 1968 - 2010

Essential guide for journalists
Journalistic Writing: Building the Skills and Honing the Craft" is an essential guide for journalists or for anyone interested in a journalism career. Robert M. Knight's book is a treasure of helpful information garnered during his long and diverse career as a journalistic writer, editor, and teacher.

Must-read!
Correct use of language lets readers "get it." Radio listeners and TV watchers, too. Knight wins the case with compelling arguments and examples in his new book, "Journalistic Writing." It is more than a primer for students. It can teach veteran journalists how to write more readable copy. Knight also discusses what makes something newsworthy and the ethics of it all.

The Craft of Clarity
More than anything else, Robert Knight's "The Craft of
Clarity" jogs the writer's memory: "Oh, yes. That's
what I set out to do - communicate, tell a story, get
another human being to read, understand and be
affected by something I've written."
It's an easy goal to lose sight of, especially when pitted
against the goal of getting the facts out there. Author Bob Knight argues that the two need not be in competition
and reminds writers that getting the facts "out there"
is futile if the "out there" fails to tempt the
reader. With humor, examples and exercises, Knight gives writers ways to avoid those murky writing swamps that are so easy to get bogged down in and so effective in keeping readers away.
Written for all writers, "The Craft of Clarity" shows how using the tools of good journalism can help in all communication. It covers everything -from how to shape a story and write
a lede, to how to avoid the passive voice,
jargon and cliché. It also addresses some often overlooked but essential aspects of writing powerfully, including how to not only write honestly but appear to be writing honestly.
Knight's enthusiasm for clear writing and love of the English language come through each page of the book, and cannot help but infect and inspire.
A University of Colorado, Boulder, J-School graduate,Knight currently teaches journalism and English composition at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He is a veteran reporter who worked in Denver and Albuquerque, and served as senior editor and broadcast editor of the City News Bureau of Chicago.
- Review by Yasmin Hahn, reporter, Sangre de Cristo Chronicle, Angel Fire, NM USA
- NOTE: Marcia and Guy Wood are co-publishers of the Sangre de Cristo Chronicle in Angel Fire, NM and are so impressed with Knight's book that we've purchased 3 copies to give to our reporters, including Hahn. A great tool for working journlaists, whether greenhorns or grouchy with green eyesahdes.

A top-notch primer
Well, I'm not ready to throw away my 1972 printing of Strunk & White's Elements of Style, but I've got the Craft of Clarity right next to it on my desk. So often style and grammar gurus are pedantic and painfully dull. Not Knight. Easy to read; clear and precise. The best primer available that I know of -- after Strunk and White. ... Read more

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Updated to conform to current standards and computerized research sources, this succinct, easy-to-follow guide gives students clear directions for writing papers in virtually all academic subjects. The authors describe how to determine a subject, formulate and outline a provisional thesis, prepare a bibliography, take notes from sources, write a draft, then revise and edit the paper, bringing it to its final form. Added advice includes avoiding plagiarism and making the most of library resources. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Very good buy
I would purchase from this seller again and recommend. The item was delivered promptly and in the condition promised.

Useless in the modern age
I am a teaching assistant in a Social Science research methods class at the University level and am published author in my discipline. In 1995 I took a class taught by Dr. Markman in which she tried to teach Honors undergraduates how to write a research paper.She failed.The methods provided in this text, unchanged since 1994 reflect that the authors learned to write research papers in the era of card files and typewriters. Even advanced high school students have probably written enough by the time they encounter this book that they'll have to unlearn a lot of valuable skills to employ the method contained here. In 1995 it was a little dated for the average student, and very dated for the tech savvy (me).In 2009, it is potentially harmful.

Good
The title was what made me purchase this book.The title was interesting since I need to write so many papers.

Roberta H. Markman, Ph. D.: good writer, bad teacher.
Markman is a much better writer than teacher. I'm taking an Advanced Composition class for high school and we're using this book as a guide. Markman gets off to a great start, in fact, the first few pages are simply inspirational. But after that, it's all downhill. The section on bib cards is just confusing. Instead of providing an outline of how to set them up and examples (like the MLA Guide to Writing a Research Paper), she provides only examples (and many of those examples contain an unbelievable amount of Spanish text). The example on how to reference a casebook were so confused, I ended up just going to looking at the MLA's Reference. The section on taking notes is also unorganized and hard to follow. While I believe she could do an excellent job of guiding us through this procedure, she makes it much more complex than it needs to be. Also, I was reading her sixth edition, published recently. In my opinion, she should have revised the notecard section to show how easy it is to use a computer to take notes. My final complaint about this book is the section on plaigerism. Basically, it teaches a student the best way to plaigerise a book, especially at the high school level. If you're really interested in writing a good research paper, seek another book.

Hideous book
Written by a woman who believes that the size of the index card you use to takes notes matters more than what you write on it. ... Read more

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The industry speaks out about SUCCESSFUL TELEVISION WRITING

"Where was this book when I was starting out? A fantastic, fun, informative guide to breaking into–and more importantly, staying in–the TV writing game from the guys who taught me how to play it."
–Terence Winter, Coexecutive Producer, The Sopranos

"Goldberg and Rabkin write not only with clarity and wit but also with the authority gleaned from their years of slogging through Hollywood’s trenches. Here is a must-read for new writers and established practitioners whose imagination could use a booster shot."
–Professor Richard Walter, Screenwriting Chairman, UCLA Department of Film and TV

"Not since William Goldman’s Adventures in the Screen Trade has there been a book this revealing, funny, and informative about The Industry. Reading this book is like having a good, long lunch with your two best friends in the TV business."
–Janet Evanovich

"With sharp wit and painful honesty, Goldberg and Rabkin offer the truest account yet of working in the TV business. Accept no substitutes!"
–Jeffrey B. Hodes and Nastaran Dibai, Coexecutive Producers, Third Rock from the Sun

"Should be required reading for all aspiring television writers."
–Howard Gordon, Executive Producer, 24 and The X-Files ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

very interesting
I find the author to be very helpful and informative.I watch a lot of tv and I know what people like, and I agree with his advise and honesty.Glad to know the old values and new ideas can make a tv show work for everyone.I do hope to either write a show someday, or just know it may take place in the future.The shows on tv now are just awful, and this book explains why.

Revealing Knowledge
This book was purported to be an overall guide on how to write for the TV industry.What to expect on the inside and how to get there.It was exactly that from the writer's perspective.He wrote a spec script with a couple of friends it was chosen from the stack and he was a TV writer from then on.

He explains who to curtsy to, who to fear, and who to shrug off and when.Hints at how to make friends and how to get the job done right all make for a well-rounded, excellently plotted and planned book.

Great read
I've read many a television writing book, and this is one of the best of them. Very interesting and educational. I definitely learned a lot! Highly Recommended!

If you are planning on ever working in television, read this book.
I read this book to help prepare me for what I would never know going into a writers room , or pitching to the showrunners. This helped me get to that point and to know how and what to expect when I get there, which I believe is soon. Thanks Lee.

More involved than you realize
This book on writing for television is simply a must read if you plan on breaking into the business.But even if you never plan to write a single script, it's simply a very interesting and insightful glimpse into the world of television.The authors convey useful information with wit and style.Writing for TV isn't as simple as you might think.I was surprised and intrigued by all the intricacies of the industry. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

The best book on film dialogue that I've found!
I've read four other dialogue books in an effort to improve my screenwriting skills, and this is the best one that I've found.This book is the real deal.It explains subtext in a way that none of the other books that I read have ever come close to.It also explains some situations that I never considered in my scripts before like: characters who brag, ly, and other traits, and how they impact scripts.It also runs through examples of good and bad exposition.

Good film dialogue books seem to be extremely rare.I'm rating this one five stars, and I wouldn't rate any of the other four that I've read more than two stars.In comparison to this fine book, they were virtually a waste of my time and money. ... Read more