The Writer's Digest Dictionary of Concise Writing [Hardcover]

Robert Hartwell Fiske (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0898797551 | ISBN-13: 978-0898797558 | Publication Date: September 1996

For anyone who writes for others to read, this is an essential reference. Author Robert Hartwell Fiske spotlights say-nothing phrases that have waddled into common usage. Fiske shows how to make fat-free sentences--lean, clean, quick, and clear--with a stroke of the blue (or red) pencil or delete key. Includes a dictionary of wordy phrases with cocise alternatives.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Under the circumstances, in my personal view, notwithstanding my pre-determined predilection to pretty good writing, if I do say so myself, this tome can be construed, one surmises, to be a useful, even quite altogether necessary publication (or "how-to" book) for some kinds of people who might want to pursue a serious (or even an amateur and recreational) actual writing career. Or hobby. I actually found myself learning a thing or two, much to my amazing incredulity and surprise. Obtain or get this book unless you want to be writing like this here now.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 335 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898797551
• ISBN-13: 978-0898797558
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,382,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert Hartwell Fiske is the editor and publisher of The Vocabula Review (www.vocabula.com), since 1999 an online journal about the English language, and certainly the principal web destination for anyone interested in words and language.

He is the author of:

* Silence, Language, & Society: A guide to style and meaning, grace and compassion
* The Dimwit's Dictionary
* The Dictionary of Concise Writing
* The Dictionary of Disagreeable English
* 101 Wordy Phrases
* 101 Foolish Phrases
* 101 Elegant Paragraphs
* Speaking of Silence (or Agnes and Otto)
* The Best Words

He is the editor of:

* Vocabula Bound 1: Outbursts, Insights, Explanations, and Oddities
* Vocabula Bound 2: Our Wresting, Writhing Tongue
* And, with Laura Cherry, Poem, Revised: 54 Poems, Revisions, Discussions

He is the owner of Vocabula Communications Company (www.vocabula.com/VCC.asp), which consists of The Vocabula Review and Vocabula Books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book for all who would write well, November 29, 1998

By 

Betty J Ruth - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Writer's Digest Dictionary of Concise Writing (Hardcover)

As a professor of social work and public health, I would unhesitatingly recommend Robert Fiske's "Dictionary of Concise Writing" to my students. This is just the sort of book by which they, along with anyone else who uses the English language, can immeasureably profit. What's more, the books opening chapters are a delight to read. Anyone who can write, as Mr. Fiske does, "With a dash of panache and a dollop of polish, our words will approach perfection" has, quite simply, got to be read. Professor Betty J. RuthBoston University

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book takes the labored breathing out of your writing, July 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Writer's Digest Dictionary of Concise Writing (Hardcover)

I love this guy! His book is great! Talking with him must be like talking to the Oracle of concise writing. Once you start reading his book, every few sentences you'll find a phrase that catches you with the phrase's clarity. Like, "Wow! That is clear!" He gives specific substitutions of commonly used phrases in his book- a dictionary full. That's great for when you need to pull it out in the middle of what you're writing. You know, when you're writing and you fear that what you wrote will put your reader to sleep? Mr. Fiske adds his perspective - including examples to illustrate his own opinions - of the writing failings of academics, politicians, journalists, businesspeople, lawyers. But pages 33 to 336 of Mr. Fiske's book belong to his dictionary. Each entry in Mr. Fiske's dictionary is actually a word or phrase followed by concise substitutions for that word/phrase, and then two examples. The first example shows the head word/phrase in a sentence. The second example shows a substitution in the first example's sentence of the head word with a replacement word/phrase. This book is clear enough for a kid in seventh grade. If you are brave enough to regularly check your writing using the "Dictionary of Concise Writing", your writing will gain clarity and punch.

4.0 out of 5 stars Review, August 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Writer's Digest Dictionary of Concise Writing (Hardcover)

This book is great if one wants to wrtie effective letters and reports--anything with conciseness. I haven't got the book in my library but I heard great things about it and I plan to buy it. Robert Hartwell Fiske really helps better understand English business language with ease. This book also gives you ensight how concise writing is used. The digest book is filled with to-day, today phases that would get your point across. I recommend this book highly to those that write for business and technical envorinment.