Working with Words: A Handbook for Media Writers and Editors [Plastic Comb]

Brian S. Brooks (Author), James L. Pinson (Author), Jean Gaddy Wilson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312397909 | ISBN-13: 978-0312397906 | Publication Date: July 31, 2002 | Edition: 5th

This practical, informative handbook synthesizes information from more than 40 reference sources to help writers master both the essentials & the more sophisticated rules necessary for clear, effective communication in print. Reviews the basics of grammar & answers common questions. Covers the fundamentals of usage, with sound advice on issues of particular concern to writers & editors. Includes time-saving lists of commonly misspelled & misused words, clichés & other problems with usage, diction, style & spelling, along with a summary of wire service style, & a useful appendix that lists the most common mistakes.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

BRIAN S. BROOKS is a professor and chairman of the editorial department at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He is coauthor ofNews Reporting and Writing, Eighth Edition (Bedford/St. Martin's, 2005), Telling the Story, Second Edition (Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004), and The Art of Editing, Eighth Edition (2005).

JAMES L. PINSON has taught journalism for more than 15 years -- at the Missouri School of Journalism and at Eastern Michigan University -- and has addressed various press groups on the subjects of grammar and other editing skills. He has also worked for newspapers in Colorado, Missouri and Michigan, and has a doctorate in journalism and a master's in creative writing.

JEAN GADDY WILSON is managing partner for media with Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., a strategic trends analysis firm in New York City which pioneered futures planning using its trademarked STEP (Strategic Trends Evaluation Process). As an adjunct faculty member at the Missouri School of Journalism, she founded three national journalism organizations: New Directions for News; Journalism and Women's Symposium; and the National Women and Media Collection. She was a founding member of the Council of Presidents, whose members lead the editorial organizations in newspapers, and of the International Women's Media Foundation. She has served as a Pulitzer Prize Nominating Juror for Journalism, and currently serves on the IBM Advisory Board and IBM Mobile Human-Centric Computing Advisory Board.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 369 pages
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's; 5th edition (July 31, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312397909
• ISBN-13: 978-0312397906
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,070,545 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.