Oxford Guide to Plain English [Paperback]

Martin Cutts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 18, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0199233454 | ISBN-13: 978-0199233458 | Edition: 2

Plain English is an essential tool for effective communication. Information transmitted in letters, documents, reports, contracts, and forms is clearer and more understandable when presented in straightforward terms. The Oxford Guide to Plain English provides authoritative guidance on how to write plain English using easy-to-follow guidelines which cover straightforward language, sentence length, active and passive verbs, punctuation, grammar, planning, and good organization. This handy guide will be invaluable to writers of all levels. It provides essential guidelines that will allow readers to develop their writing style, grammar, and punctuation. The book also offers help in understanding official jargon and legalese giving the plain English alternatives. This guide gives hundreds of real examples and shows 'before and after' versions of texts of different kinds which will help readers to look critically at their own writing. Helpfully organized into 21 short chapters, each covering a different aspect of writing. Clearly laid out, and easy to use, the Oxford Guide to Plain English is the best guide to writing clear and helpful documents.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Review from previous edition: "An excellent book ... indispensable to anyone compiling a style guide ... The multitude of real-life examples demonstrating the practices described make the book equally useful to experienced writers checking specific points and to novices needing broader guidance." --Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) magazine, Sept 2008 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Martin Cutts is a writer, editor, and teacher. He founded the Plain English Campaign in 1979, and in 1994 he established the Plain Language Commission. He is a leading voice in the international plain language movement.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (December 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199233454
• ISBN-13: 978-0199233458
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,014,633 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plain English supports clear, straightforward communication, January 13, 2005

By 

Writing Coach - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oxford Guide To Plain English (Paperback)

Add the Oxford Guide to Plain English to your essential reference library alongside The Chicago Manual of Style. Martin Cutts, founder of the Plain Language Commission and longtime advocate for clear, simple but not simplistic writing, crams 21 guidelines into this compact yet comprehensive book. Terse, straightforward writing, effective layout and many examples introduce the reader to plain English while effectively modeling the rules presented. Consult the Oxford Guide to Plain English often if you want to improve your writing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short sweet. No nonense. Good writing., January 23, 2009

By 

Laith Wark (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Oxford Guide to Plain English (Paperback)

"The writing and setting out of essential information in a way that gives a co-operative, motivated person a good chance of understanding it at first reading, and in the same sense that the writer meant it to be understood". Martin Cutts

Business and professional writing could benefit a lot by using this advice on how to get the message across. No nonsense. Good writing. I use it myself and as our standard office guide.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Study Guide - It favors British English, April 17, 2006

By 

Jonathan D. Stubbs "JStubbs.com" (Luleå, Sweden) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Oxford Guide To Plain English (Paperback)

I use this book for self-study rather than as a reference. Maintaining and improving my writing skills is an ongoing need. The book's 21 guidelines discuss common problems and give inspiration.

Sentences that include the wording "The best alternative that American English can come up with..." demonstrate that the author favors British English. I keep the author's subtle bias in mind when reading. I can then focus on the main point - plain writing in any English dialect is good - rather than spending time unraveling the differences between American and British English. Am I overreacting? Not really, come live in Europe and see for yourself. Being consistent seems to be what is most important - not whether one is writing in American or British English.

If you can keep in mind that your English dialect may differ from British English then do get a copy of this book. It is short, yet filled with valuable ideas useful when working to strengthen your writing skills.