Customer Reviews

Merriam-Webster's Manual for Writers and Editors

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

 

 

A wonderfully organized, practical manual of American style and usage. VERY portable and affordable. Contrary to accepted opinion (the opinion of literary snobs and wanna-be writers out there), the CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE is not the be-all and end-all. If you write, edit or proof-read, or are interested in the manuscript-to-published-work process, I think that this volume should be a fixture in your reference collection.

In my work as a professional proofreader for an advertising agency, I find myself consulting this manual frequently. It has a good mix of rules and examples. I always find the answer I am looking for. This is the highest praise you can give to any handbook of this type.

There is little question that, in general, our writing has gotten lazy and careless. We assume Microsoft Word (or whichever word processor you use) will fashion our typing into something acceptable. This wonderful and excellently done book is for people who want to do better.

I am glad that they point out it is for writers as well as editors. This book will help students and people writing anything more than a casual note to format, punctuate, and organize their writing for better clarity and understanding. Yes, proofreaders and editors have more use for the special markings and some of the more subtle points in the manual, but there is a lot on seemingly little things like capitals, italics, plurals, possessives, compounds, abbreviations, mathematical and scientific notation, quotations, foreign languages, tables, illustrations, footnotes, endnotes, bibliographies, indexes and more.

This book is compactly designed and it is very easy to find what you are looking for. Everything is concisely explained and demonstrated when needed.

This is a fabulous reference for anyone's shelf.

As an author, I found this book to be extremely helpful with a variety of questions and subjects. Helps with technique and style and answers so many questions writer's have. It is an excellent addition to my large library of 'how to write' books.

Highly recommend to any author, regardless of level of experience. It has something for everyone.

A classic guidebook for a broad range of topics by writers and publishers encounter on a regular basis. Fundamentals include general guidelines grammar, foreign languages, notes and bibliographies, indexes, editing, design, and printing. I found the grammar glossary helpful, the bibliography wide-ranging, and the index complete.

Although my copy of the revised edition of "Merriam Webster's Manual for Writers & Editors" is dated I found the fundamental principles are still representative of standards applicable for today's writer. I keep my copy handy on my shelf of writing resources, for handy reference.