Edit Yourself: A Manual for Everyone Who Words with Words (Paperback)

by Bruce Ross-Larson (Author)
Key Phrases: nonrestrictive clauses, United States, Merriam-Webster's Dictionary

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A strong new entry for the reference shelf of anyone who writes to be understood—or would like to." —Pittsburgh Press

Product Description
In the first part of this useful book, the author shows how to solve common problems of writing. The reader will learn how to recognize common problems of writing. The reader will learn how to recognize words and phrases that should be cut; how to shorten cumbersome sentences; how to arrange the elements of pairs, series, and compound subjects and predicates; how to recognize and rectify mismanaged participles; and how to be on the lookout for the better word. The second part of the book consists of more than 1500 recommendations for cuts, changes, and comparisons that editors make to produce writing that is concise and effective.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.; 1 edition (January 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393313263
• ISBN-13: 978-0393313260
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #288,655 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough, easy-to-use, and instructive editing guide., July 10, 1997

By A Customer

As a professional editor, I rely on many tools. I consistently return to Ross-Larson's book because it is thorough while being easy to use. I can find what I want fast. I particularly like his list of word substitutes: after reading "in addition to" and "in view of the fact that" a hundered times, I forget the simple substitutes. Ross-Larson's book consistently brings me out of the engineering woods.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to use, clear, and concise., May 31, 2002

By A Customer

I am a professor in a business school. I have recommended this book (and its previous edition) for more than ten years to students who want to improve their writing.

If you want to make your writing clear and concise, you will find it hard to beat this book as a desk reference. It is well organized, easy to use, and concise. The book is itself a great example of good writing.

Do you forget when to use "although" and "while"? Do you forget to avoid using rhetorical questions in your writing? (Oops!) This book has an alphabetically organized list of common errors. You can look under "although" or "while" to find the rules for choosing between these words.

After reading thousands of student papers, correspondence from businesspersons, and memos from faculty, I am convinced that the single thing a writer can do to improve his or her writing is to avoid passive voice. This book has a clear definition of passive voice with examples and guidance on how to avoid falling into this rut. It also points out the few situations in which a writer would want to use passive voice intentionally.

The book is well organized and useful to a wide range of writers. Truly terrible writers will find that the book can help them move their writing up a notch. Mediocre writers can find one or two things in the book that they can change about their writing and become good writers. Good writers will find the book dog-eared in a short time as they look up rules when they know a rule exists but they cannot quite remember what the rule says.

I have worn out two copies of this book. It's great.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Write professionally, December 11, 2004

By	Pete Vere (Ottawa) - See all my reviews

This is a handy, concise, and easy-to-use book. In it, Bruce Ross-Larson teaches you how to become a stronger writer. Drawing upon his experience as a professional editor, the author provides a long list of crutch words and phrases, that is, words and phrases that are often overused and that weaken one's writing. He then suggests replacements used by professional writers and journalists. Every aspiring writer should own a copy.