The Craft of Revision (Paperback)

by Donald M. Murray (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Donald M. Murray takes a lively and inspiring approach to writing and revision that does not condescend but invites students into the writer's studio.

About the Author
Donald M. Murray is a Professor Emeritus of English at the University of New Hampshire where he inaugurated a journalism program, helped establish a graduate program in Composition Studies, and served as director of Freshman English and English Department chairperson. He twice won awards for his teaching and was awarded honorary doctoral degrees by the University of New Hampshire in 1990, Fitchburg State College in 1992, and New Hampshire College in 1997. As a journalist, Murray won a number of awards including the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing in the Boston Herald in 1954. He was an editor of Time and has served as writing coach for several newspapers, including the Boston Globe and the Providence Journal. In 1991 Boston magazine and in 1996 Improper Bostonian magazine selected him best columnist in Boston. In 1997 the University of New Hampshire opened the Donald M. Murray Journalism Library. He received recognition for Lifetime Achievement during the New Hampshire Literary Awards in 2001. In 2003 Writing on the Edge established the Donald M. Murray Prize. This award is given to the author of the best work of creative nonfiction on the subject of writing published the previous year.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 5 edition (March 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0838407153
• ISBN-13: 978-0838407158
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #59,143 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with advice for the budding writer, October 14, 2002

By	John C. Dunbar (Sugar Land, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Craft of Revision (Paperback)

This was a very enjoyable book to read. The author leads you through the various ways and reasons to edit your work.

As I read the first chapter, I wished for a more compact version of these points, sort of a Cliff Notes approach. But Mr. Murray's expanded approach was certainly more enjoyable and personal.

Although the book is perhaps targeted to a more experienced writer, I underlined many points that I will refer to for help. A beginner might be over-whelmed with all the great techniques on revision, but just the first two chapters alone will yield a dramatic pay-back for his efforts.

The book is interspersed with interviews with other authors and their responses to the author's questions also provide useful information, and add credibility to his points.

"The Craft of Revision" captures the subject of the book. You'll learn more about revising your copy than you probably can use for a long time.

I highly recommend this book.

John Dunbar
Sugar Land, TX

5.0 out of 5 stars A Handbook on the Craft of Writing, May 17, 2009

By	C. Matthew Hawkins (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

Murray discusses the importance of revision for the overall writing process; how revisions help the writer to focus his/her work; the need to revise for internal and external structuring of the piece; the use of revision to develop the piece; the use of revision to find the writer's voice; the use of revision to edit the text; and knowing when and how to let go of a completed work.

Every chapter includes an interview with a writer which helps to bring the lesson in the chapter to life.

This book is geared toward non-fiction, creative non-fiction and academic writing, but it is also useful for constructing creative (fictional) narratives.

3.0 out of 5 stars caution with owls books, May 1, 2009

By	Jennifer Rich "jenn rich" (oregon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased this book though amazon ,they have very good customer service. I will not purchase anything through owls books again,though, they will not refund unless the book is wrong, not for any other reason.Also they didnt say the shipping would take 3 weeks,standard shipping says 3-5 buisiness days i believe.The class started before the book arrived so i had to purchase it twice!