Working With Words: A Concise Handbook for Media Writers and Editors [Import] [Paperback]

Brian S. Brooks (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 2nd Edition edition (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312066627
• ISBN-13: 978-0312066628
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,009,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Rocks, November 19, 1999

By 

BRIAN NEALE ([e-mail]) (Chicago, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Working With Words: A Concise Handbook for Media Writers and Editors : Exercise Book (Paperback)

I first bought Working With Words in 1991 as a journalism student at University of Missouri, where the authors are profs. This book is as responsible for preparing me for my current job as section editor at a major metropolitan newspaper as was any class I ever took.

Executives, assistants, sales reps -- anyone who needs to write and speak like an intelligent human being -- should own this book.

The first thing I do when get a new copy editor is buy them a copy of Working with Words. Buy one yourself and you'll be amazed at how much you don't know.

BTN, Chicago Tribune, MU BJ '92

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely helpful reference, December 30, 2000

By 

Kristin S. (Vermont, U.S.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Working with Words (Plastic Comb)

In many ways, "Working with Words" differs little from other grammar books. It accomplishes its task very well, though. A highlight of this book has to be its organization. The book is divided into 11 chapters and 4 appendixes. All the basics are covered: sentences, phrases and clauses; the parts of speech; punctuation, etc. Other sections cover tight writing, muddled language and "sexism, racism and other '-isms.'"

But the absolute best parts of this book are the lists and appendixes. "What to Tighten A-Z" offers a quick guide to getting rid of phrases that are wordy, redundant or cliche. "Confused words" helps you decide whether to use continual or continuous, fortuitous or fortunate among many others. Sections on common mistakes and frequently misspelled words also help you avoid errors. But my favorite section has to be the one called "One word, two words or hyphenated?" It is a fabulously quick and easy reference.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well written and clear, September 7, 2004

By 

Ric Walston, PhD (Washington state) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Exercise Book for Working with Words: A Handbook for Media Writers and Editors (Paperback)

This is simply the best single text on writing. It is well written and clear. It covers all the aspects of mechanics that are necessary for good writing. It also gives the necessary teaching about proper grammar. There are many good (as well as confusing) books on the market about this topic, but, for me, this is the "writing bible." I have multiple copies of this book so I can loan them out from time to time, but I also have a personal copy at home as well as at work that no one gets to "touch" except me. I recommend this text to all my students.