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Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer 1st Edition

by Roy Peter Clark (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,947 ratings
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As fun to read as it is hands-on practical, it can be enjoyed straight-through or used as a reference as students draft, revise, and edit. Spiral-bound, the College Edition lays flat as students work at the computer, and at $16.95 suggested retail (after bookstore mark-up), Writing Tools is considerably less expensive than traditional writing textbooks. With over 30,000 copies sold to the mass-market, the College Edition is the perfect book to accompany a more comprehensive textbook, or for classrooms that don′t use a traditional text at all.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0872899632
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0872899636
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    CQ Press
  5. Publication date
    April 4, 2008
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.63 x 8.25 inches
  8. Print length
    245 pages
  9. See all details
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Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roy Peter Clark is vice president and senior scholar at the Poynter Institute. He has taught writing at every level―to school-children and Pulitzer Prize-winning authors―for more than 30 years, and has spoken about the craft of writing on The Oprah Winfrey Show, NPR, and Today; at conferences from Singapore to Brazil; and at news organizations from The New York Times to the Sowetan in South Africa. A writer who teaches, and a teacher who writes, he has authored and edited fourteen books about writing and journalism.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CQ Press; 1st edition (April 4, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Spiral-bound ‏ : ‎ 245 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0872899632
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0872899636
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.63 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,947 ratings

About the author

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Roy Peter Clark

Roy Peter Clark

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Roy Peter Clark has been called "America's writing coach" as his stated mission is to help create "a nation of writers." Since 1977 he has taught writing to small children and to Pulitzer winning authors from his mother ship, The Poynter Institute, a school for journalism and democracy in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is the author or editor of 17 books on writing, language, and journalism. The latest, all published by Little, Brown, are "Writing Tools," "The Glamour of Grammar," and "Help! for Writers," which is now also a mobile app. His work has been featured on the Today Show, NPR, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. More than a million of his writing podcasts have been downloaded on iTunesU. On five occasions he has served as a Pulitzer juror and twice has chaired the jury on nonfiction books. His honors include induction in the Features Hall of Fame, an honorary degree from Goucher College, and a stint at Vassar College as Starr Writer-in-Residence. His next book, due out in 2013, is "How to Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times."

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
1,947 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book really helpful and informative. They say it provides great writing tips and is easy to follow along. Readers appreciate the examples and thoughtful analysis provided by the author and his mentors. They also describe the writing quality as well-written, interesting, and fun to read.

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ReadabilityContentWriting qualityExamplesPractical advice
107 customers mention "Readability"102 positive5 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understand. They say it's well organized, direct, and immediately applicable. Readers also mention the style is not condescending and easy on the eyes.

"I love this book. It's not preachy; it just tells you how to write better and provides useful examples. Each chapter stands on its own...." Read more

"...It should not surprise that the advice is useful and can improve our writing if we follow it. This is a very good book and is highly recommended...." Read more

"This book teaches many of the fundamentals of writing well covering all the many aspects to make your work stand distinctively...." Read more

"lots of great nuts and bolts for writers, good reminders/prompts for those in revision...." Read more

98 customers mention "Content"98 positive0 negative

Customers find the book really helpful, with tons of information and powerful techniques that will add life and energy. They also say it's practical, with terrific and abundant examples. Readers also mention that the book is interesting and enjoyable, with exercises at the end of each chapter.

"...It's not preachy; it just tells you how to write better and provides useful examples. Each chapter stands on its own...." Read more

"...It should not surprise that the advice is useful and can improve our writing if we follow it. This is a very good book and is highly recommended...." Read more

"Well organized, easy to understand, superbly written, with terrific and abundant examples. This rates in the top 5 books on writing I have read...." Read more

"...snippets from the best writers of our time, making this book not only informative but also very entertaining...." Read more

64 customers mention "Writing quality"60 positive4 negative

Customers find the book well written, expressive, and easy to understand. They also say it's not boring, informative, and funny.

"...It does not surprise when a book from an experienced writer is well-written and entertaining--as this one is...." Read more

"Well organized, easy to understand, superbly written, with terrific and abundant examples. This rates in the top 5 books on writing I have read...." Read more

"...This book is unique in the sense that he presents notable writing snippets from the best writers of our time, making this book not only informative..." Read more

"This is a must read for all writers. Some information won’t apply to you but there are gold nuggets for everyone." Read more

20 customers mention "Examples"20 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the examples and thoughtful analysis provided by the author and his mentors. They also appreciate that each chapter ends with exercises.

"...The section on passive voice, for example, demonstrates well the author's philosophy...." Read more

"...The book is filled with examples both quoted and sometimes even placed (cleverly) within the text...." Read more

"...did not find that it mattered, all the content was useful and his examples were great..." Read more

"...the point, though written in an entertaining style, and chock full of experienced wisdom and useful strategies for honing your writing skills...." Read more

18 customers mention "Practical advice"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's practical advice filled with insights, enjoyment, and useful exercises and examples. They also say the book provides actionable intel for self-assessment and improvement.

"...chapter that explains the strategy, offers examples, and ends with practice exercises. Clark reminds us that these are tools, not rules...." Read more

"lots of great nuts and bolts for writers, good reminders/prompts for those in revision...." Read more

"...That was a very refreshing approach, where how-to books are concerned...." Read more

"...He also provides brief exercises at the end of each chapter--not just writing, but cool exercises like observing people--to spur your thinking or to..." Read more

Water Damage and Warping
2 out of 5 stars
Water Damage and Warping
Happy to receive a brand new copy however the item we received had significant water damage to the cover and the top portion of the book has been warped.It is unfortunate that issues like this are not disclosed with “new” items.
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Top reviews from the United States

AnotherCustomer
5.0 out of 5 stars Usefuli reminders and a pleasure to read
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2024
Verified Purchase
I love this book. It's not preachy; it just tells you how to write better and provides useful examples. Each chapter stands on its own. As a writer, I keep it in the car for times when I have a long wait or dinner alone.
One person found this helpful
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John M. Ford
5.0 out of 5 stars How Reading and Writing Work
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2010
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Roy Peter Clark lays out 50 of his writing tools and invites us to borrow them for our own writing toolboxes. Each writing tool is presented in a brief chapter that explains the strategy, offers examples, and ends with practice exercises. Clark reminds us that these are tools, not rules. We should work with a few of them at a time to improve our written work and our writing process. The 50 tools are grouped into four sections.

In "Nuts and Bolts," Clark covers writing basics. There are no tedious specifications for comma placement or hyphenation. Instead there are effective techniques for using language "at the word, sentence and paragraph levels." These ten tools include "Establish a pattern, then give it a twist," which shows how repetition can set the reader's expectations. And how occasionally breaking the pattern highlights information and maintains interest. Another chapter, "Cut big, then small" discusses the painful task of revising by removing. Snip and cry, but snip.

"Part Two: Special Effects" demonstrates techniques of "economy, clarity, originality, and persuasion." The thirteen tips in this section include "Set the pace with sentence length" which shows how to influence the psychological "speed" at which a reader moves through text. "Get the name of the dog" emphasizes collecting concrete details as we do research. They allow us to move down the ladder of abstraction and bring life to descriptive writing.

In Part Three: Blueprints," Clark advocates organizing our writing process as well as our documents. Two of the best tools among these sixteen show how to encourage--and manage --readers' progress. "To generate suspense, use internal cliffhangers" and whet the reading appetite with not-yet-complete information. "Place gold coins along the path" reminds to provide points of enjoyment and closure to satisfy readers. And reduce the tension created by all of those cliffhangers.

"Part Four: Useful Habits" closes the book with eleven long-term strategies for working writers. "Limit self-criticism in early drafts--then turn it loose during revision" balances creativity and critique. It is consistent with the two-part writing process described at length in Peter Elbow's  Writing With Power . "Recruit your own support group" goes beyond standard advice about seeking feedback. Clark encourages writers to understand their own writing blind spots and needs for others' expertise. Then target helpers with matching knowledge and skills.

It does not surprise when a book from an experienced writer is well-written and entertaining--as this one is. It should not surprise that the advice is useful and can improve our writing if we follow it. This is a very good book and is highly recommended. It deserves a place on your bookshelf next to Strunk and White's  The Elements of Style , William Zinsser's  On Writing Well , Susan Bell's  The Artful Edit , and Mark Kramer and Wendy Call's  Telling True Stories .

Feed your shelf.
19 people found this helpful
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Shahid f. Khalid
5.0 out of 5 stars A book of useful suggestions
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
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This book teaches many of the fundamentals of writing well covering all the many aspects to make your work stand distinctively. I learnt much from this book and I consider it the best book I have read on teaching to write well and effectively.
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dexelzey
4.0 out of 5 stars solid reference
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
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lots of great nuts and bolts for writers, good reminders/prompts for those in revision. ironically (or maybe i’ve grown impatient) cold use some editing itself and be punchier
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Financial Physician
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on writing
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2023
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Well organized, easy to understand, superbly written, with terrific and abundant examples. This rates in the top 5 books on writing I have read. I will be going back to this resource often. Thank you Mr Clark. And the lagniappe of "Xray" chapter on Gatsby is a wonderful bonus--not to mention the other 4 bonus chapters. You have over-delivered. Any one who writes anything could benefit from this book. This book will help me become a bette writer.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Not just a writing book, it's the cheapest writing course of your life
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
This 288 pages of writing wisdom and easy to follow exercise book is a sell given the value you get for the price. From consuming this book, a dyslexic/F-level writer like me learned that even I can learn to write well. I am a proud copywriter and I often refer back to this book for insights.

This book is unique in the sense that he presents notable writing snippets from the best writers of our time, making this book not only informative but also very entertaining.

Writing Tip: To improve how you approach writing, you could benefit from copying some of the sentences that you enjoyed reading. What I do is, I copy some of these sentences and rewrite them on a daily basis, this is a copywriting practice technique that copywriters use to build their craft. It works because by writing the sentences down you're reinforcing the sentence formation and structure patterns from other amazing writers. Studies, such as the Pam Mueller and Daniel Oppenheimer research (Scientific America has a great article on this) on longhand note taking vesus typing show that writing information down improves information retention (among other things). Additionally, if you think of this as a concept, this approach is analogous to how a business can get better results by analyzing innovative sales models from other companies and from understanding it they can appropriately modify their sales system/model. Similar, from practicing this technique you're mentally modeling out what a great sentence look and feel like, I guarantee writing will get more fun and become effortless the more you practice!

Writing Tools is a priceless and life changing writing course in itself, pick it up and you won't regret it.
111 people found this helpful
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Bahadar Singh
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect to improve writing skill.
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2024
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Came in perfect condition, not a single page or cover damaged. Gave great writing tips and I really believe the workshops helped me improve as a writer :)
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Shopper
3.0 out of 5 stars Dirty
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2023
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Purchased this book and needed it asap. Sad it arrived dirty and pages folded. Like the saying..."can't judge a book by its cover"!
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ester Oliveira
5.0 out of 5 stars Essencial pra qualquer escritor
Reviewed in Brazil on December 12, 2022
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Esse livro é a verdadeira bíblia do escritor! Logo na primeira página, na introdução, o autor já te ensina coisas preciosíssimas. Pra mim é o livro de escrita mais direto, objetivo, prático e fácil de entender e aplicar. Recomendo mil vezes! Agora a impressão do livro em si é horrível, as páginas são como papel jornal, a capa é pouco mais grossa que um sulfite. A qualidade da edição é bem baixa, mas o conteúdo é tão bom que eu acho que vale a pena ter em casa e carregar pra todo lado de qualquer jeito.
One person found this helpful
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Barbara Bauer
5.0 out of 5 stars Top!
Reviewed in Germany on June 3, 2023
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There is a lot to learn for new writers - this is the perfect help!
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francesca
5.0 out of 5 stars 48 strumenti essenziali nella cassetta degli attrezzi
Reviewed in Italy on November 5, 2022
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Strumenti, non regole. Clark crede che tutti possano scrivere bene con i giusti strumenti e li racconta in questo libro. Essenziale per scrittori e per giornalisti.
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Lydia Bennett
5.0 out of 5 stars Both practical and enjoyable.
Reviewed in Canada on November 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
“Practice doesn’t make perfect — it makes permanent.”

I forget who wrote that, but it’s a good reminder that you can practice something without really improving.

Writing Tools has inspired me to seek out and disassemble my poorly built writing habits, and to remake them with better materials.

One of my favourite tools from the book is what Roy Peter Clark refers to as the Ladder of Abstraction.

At the bottom of the ladder we find concrete language: tables and chairs, hard packed snow, and slippery salamanders. At the top of the ladder we find abstract language: divine beauty, manic depression, and heartfelt apologies.

To keep the reader reading, avoid spending too much time in one spot on the ladder. Move up and down it, and avoid the middle where murky obscure language will confuse the reader and cause them to lose interest.

Writing has turned out to be a bigger challenge than I expected when I first sat down to write my book; a challenge that’s turning out to be a very fun journey of learning.

I will keep Writing Tools close for future reference. Highly recommend.
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Lydia Bennett
5.0 out of 5 stars Both practical and enjoyable.
Reviewed in Canada on November 28, 2020
“Practice doesn’t make perfect — it makes permanent.”

I forget who wrote that, but it’s a good reminder that you can practice something without really improving.

Writing Tools has inspired me to seek out and disassemble my poorly built writing habits, and to remake them with better materials.

One of my favourite tools from the book is what Roy Peter Clark refers to as the Ladder of Abstraction.

At the bottom of the ladder we find concrete language: tables and chairs, hard packed snow, and slippery salamanders. At the top of the ladder we find abstract language: divine beauty, manic depression, and heartfelt apologies.

To keep the reader reading, avoid spending too much time in one spot on the ladder. Move up and down it, and avoid the middle where murky obscure language will confuse the reader and cause them to lose interest.

Writing has turned out to be a bigger challenge than I expected when I first sat down to write my book; a challenge that’s turning out to be a very fun journey of learning.

I will keep Writing Tools close for future reference. Highly recommend.
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6 people found this helpful
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sugarain
5.0 out of 5 stars noted
Reviewed in Singapore on August 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
I am half way through the book and learning that which I do not know.
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