Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Well

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A very good book, but not a great book on writing style and how to write well (or at least better than before you read the book). Covers the basics of tone, grammar, and structure, but lacking in good examples. Only one example of a passive vs. active sentence was given, and the lone example wasn't very clear. Still, a good writing style guide.

This book presented the material clearly and simply and didn't get bogged down with unnecessary details. The author's chatty tone and attempts at humor gets a bit tired, and the organization jumps around a bit. But overall it is a good reference to have and, once you've gone through it, you are clear about the elements of good writing.

An "idiot's" guide, but don't let the name fool you. Covers grammar, research writing, history of language, etc.

This book is one of the best writing books I owned. It was writen in a easy-to-follow way that you just don't want to stop reading it. I highly recommend it to anyone who are bored by other writing books.

I think it has some good info for a writer and especially for a novice. Read reviews and take a look at the content which is usually offered here on amazon or even at book store read the back cover and page through to see if it will meet you needs. I have been a writer for 23 years so I like to see what others preach and what they have as tips and with every book I have picked up something.

CAME ACROSS THIS REFERENCE BOOK BY READING ANOTHER ARTICLE ON LINE..AS WITH MANY, PLAN ON WRITING ONE DAY!!!

And buy the damn book already. If your name isn't Faulkner, Tolkein, or even Clancy, then you need to learn to write better, if only to prevent those reading your correspondence from thinking you an ignorant baboon. The guide won't write it for you, but with a minimum amount of research you can answer most of the grammatical questions you'll come across in your more mundane endeavors. It retains the additional benifit of being far cheaper than a tutor or class. A wise purchase for those trying to remove themselves from the class of complete idiots who are shopping for these guides in the first place.

Students and teachers stand to gain a painless lesson in writing from Dr. Rozakis, one of the teaching realm's most published authors. Not only is she knowledgeable in scholarship and the real world, she displays an ebullience that infects the reader with the urge to write well.

I purchased this book among others to pursue writing. I was sadly disappointed with this book. It really was nothing more than a review of High School English thus the Title should be Forgotten English.

Pros:

Nice review

Cons:

Needs severe editing...even the Table of Contents is wrong
Almost 11 years...needs updating. Not even Google is mentioned as a Search Engine
Eliminate all the salient political correctness in this book.
Eliminate all the comments referencing gender correctness.
Eliminate all the bias of Academia that reeks in this book.
Eliminate filler material like zip codes, state abbreviations, etc.
Almost exclusive focus on students, e.g., sample essays & test taking skills.

Seriously for the price of this book your money can purchase better instruction. Just search on writing, copywriting, freelance writing, etc.

I thought that this book is a good summary of the requirements necessary to become a good writer. It is simply written, but I think it could elaborate more on the topics. Also, I felt the humor was a little strange. I think that this could be a good start for those interested in learning how to write better.