I was sitting in Starbucks reading it last week and a middle-aged man commented: "Best book in the world." Turns out he is a teacher who focuses on creative writing; he reads Shrunk & White once a year.
It's short: 105 pages including the index.
It's practical: 11 elementary principles of usage; 11 elementary principles of composition; 21 pointers on style; and a great chapter on "Words and Expressions Commonly Misused."
And it's already reduced my word-count! Amazing how many superfluous words we use in writing!
Give it a try.
7 comments:
I should read this book. I'm the most "wordy and verbose" communicator there is.
My high school English teacher recommended reading your composition backwards, one sentence at a time, so as to break up the flow. It quickly becomes obvious then how many unnecessary "transition" words we use.
I've already added the book to my wish list.
Great tip for a blogger! I'll have to look into that :o) Thanks for your sweet comment earlier on my friendship post.
Ugh. That book makes me think of AP English. *shivers* I think I'll keep my copy in one of the many boxes of books we have around the house.
mwh - my English teachers told us the same thing.
:)
Ironic that you posted on this book. I finished reading it again Saturday (not that it shows.)
My art history teacher required us all to buy and read it. I didn't appreciate it then, but I sure do now.
It is sickening to think that my wife LOVES grammar and that grammar is the reason she is an English major...ick. This sounds like a good book. There is nothing worse than verbose scientific writing.
Pastor Jeff Adams of Kansas City Baptist Temple recommended this book when I attended thier Bible Institute. Great book!
Pastor Brian Hedges
Heartland Baptist Fellowship
Harrisonville, Mo
www.hbfcass.org
What do you know? Another pastor named Brian Hedges!
Thanks for posting!
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