Writing the Right Word: “ Its Effect Can Affect Your Writing” [Paperback]

Dave Dowling (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0595208304 | ISBN-13: 978-0595208302 | Publication Date: December 2001

Many writers use compliment when they mean complement, comprise when they mean compose, or assume when they mean presume. And hundreds of other mistaken word identities also exist.

This quick reference aims to filter this confusion of words. With clear and concise definitions, the book speaks to many of the common word choices that challenge us daily. It consists of more than 600 separate word pairs (with sentence examples for many) and the meanings of more than 1,500 individual words. The sentence examples alone will help you master word choices as well as help you sharpen your writing skills in general.

You’ll find it an entertaining and authoritative quick reference packed with guidelines to help you avoid using misused words and phrases.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dave Dowling spent 25 years in industry as a technical writer, editor, and instructor.Dave holds a B.A. from SUC at Potsdam, N.Y. and an M.S. from SUNY Albany, N.Y.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Writers Club Press (December 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595208304
• ISBN-13: 978-0595208302
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,556,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A tool for avoiding common errors, March 9, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing the Right Word: “ Its Effect Can Affect Your Writing” (Paperback)

Writing The Right Word by writer, editor, and educator Dave Dowling (President of Write On Course, LLC, a company specializing in business and technical writing seminars...) is an excellent practical resource for writers of all skill and experience levels and backgrounds. Featuring entries in a lexicographic order, Writing The Right Word teaches aspiring writers the proper definitions of easily misused or confused words, such as levee versus levy, lightening versus lightning, spoor versus spore, and much, much more. A useful 235-page reference tool for avoiding common errors that computerized spelling-checkers will not detect, Writing The Right Word is a highly recommended and much appreciated addition to any personal or professional writing reference collection.

4.0 out of 5 stars Anyone who writes anything, will use this book, October 9, 2002

By 

W. A. Smart (Michigan/U.S.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Writing the Right Word: “ Its Effect Can Affect Your Writing” (Paperback)

This is one reference book that won't languish on your shelf. Once one starts using it, it becomes second nature to double check your accuracy. My initial thought was that it was a bit slim (230+ pages), with largish type, but this is only a plus. Access becomes very quick and straightforward. The examples are clear and concise...it obviously de-fogs the memory banks (re proper word usage). ANY writer will use it and the book should be mandatory for any high school freshman (and your college student would thank you forever for the gift). Indeed, Dowling has presented us with a book that makes it much easier for writers--at the very least--to appear to be smarter...and that's a bargain. No regrets on this purchase. ((On second thought, it will help you with spoken english as well...ever use the wrong word at a meeting and feel like a schmuck?))

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must have' book for writers!, September 15, 2002

By 

carol shuttleworth (Plattsburgh, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing the Right Word: “ Its Effect Can Affect Your Writing” (Paperback)

As a college-level instructor, I am often struck by how poorly most students use the English language. 'Writing the Right Word' is a unique and indispensible tool that can help anyone, from high school student to professional writer, learn how to write what he (or she) really means. In today's complex world, the importance of using the correct word cannot be overemphasized. This book explains the most common word confusions in a clear, concise, and 'user-friendly' format, complete with thought-provoking quotes at the beginning of each section. I found myself reading it for the sheer pleasure. Personally, I think this book should be required reading in the schools, and is definitely a 'must have' for anyone who makes his or her living as a writer. Dowling's descriptions are clear and understandable, his examples vivid and sometimes amusing. The sections on 'affect versus effect', 'that versus which' and 'who versus whom', words that rank among the most notorious for confounding the average writer, are themselves worth the price of the book.