by Patricia T. O'Conner
|
| List Price: | $12.00 |
| Amazon Price: | $9.60 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
| You Save: | $2.40 (20%) |
| Average Rating: |  |
| Lowest New Price: | $4.75 |
| Availablitiy: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
|
 |
|
Book Description
Whether you are working on the novel that's been in the back of your mind for years or simply facing an increasing demand to write well at work or school, the fact remains: more and more of us are writing more often these days-reports, e-mails, faxes, and newsletters. But despite the increase in written communication, something has been lost-the fundamentals of good writing. Grammar maven Patricia T. O'Conner comes to the rescue with the most painless, practical, and funny writing book ever written. In short, snappy chapters filled with crystal-clear examples, amusing comparisons, and humorous allegories that cover everything from "Pronoun Pileups" and "Verbs That Zing" to "What to Do When You're Stuck," O'Conner provides simple, straightforward tips to help you sort your thoughts and make sentences that make sense. Push aside those stuffy old-fashioned rule books, because O'Conner has written the most accessible and enjoyable book yet for today's writer.
Amazon.com
Patricia T. O'Conner's Words Fail Me is written in the same lighthearted tone as her snappy grammar guide, Woe Is I. This time out, O'Conner tackles the writer's art. "Good writing," she says, "is writing that works." This book is the perfect text for the novice writer who tends to gravitate toward comedic instructors. "Crummy spelling," says O'Conner, "is more noticeable than crummy anything else." Organizing your material "may be a pain in the butt, but it's thankless, too!" "Write as though you were addressing someone whose opinion you value, even if the reader is ... a stingy insurance company that won't pay for your tummy tuck." O'Conner's material isn't new--like many such books, Words Fail Me advocates the use of small words, fresh verbs, and only well-chosen modifiers--but rarely is a primer so amusing. And the clever titles strewn throughout--"Taking Leave of Your Tenses," "The It Parade"--provide added pleasure, particularly for anyone who knows how hard it can be to put a headline on a piece of writing. --Jane Steinberg
Customers who bought this item also bought
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 essay,writing,grammar, 2007-10-28
Very good reference for those who are having difficulty in writing. Excellent tips on how to develop essays, especially for those taking the alternative route to teaching certification exams.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Finally, a real book on writing., 2006-08-16
Over the years I have purchased many books on writing, only to find that most of the writing is about how to find a publisher, with very little devoted to how to write. This book is an exception. It covers many of the nuances of writing that slip through the cracks, and is written with humor.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
 One of the best!, 2006-04-06
Indispensable tool for anyone that writes anything, be it novels, e-mails, memos, or book reports. Get it with "Woe is I" (all about proper grammar) and hit them with a highlighter & notepad handy. Together they may not cover everything writers need to know, but EVERYTHING they cover MUST be known by all writers. Basic rules are forgotten all the time & these 2 jewels read fast, providing easy to remember examples of proper English. Invaluable!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
A Nice Book, 2005-09-12
This is quite a nice book, most suitable for those who have not thought a lot or read widely about good writing but who are looking for a broad beginning. The book is light on grammar, and the science of clear writing is not to be found. It improves in later chapters, where examples of good writing are well chosen.
The book labors some points and underscores witticisms, which will irritate readers who read attentively. The prose in many places is unpolished. To that extent, it lives up to its title.
Much better is "Woe is I", Patricia O'Conner's first book.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
What a help !`, 2005-08-21
This little book gives the beginning writer many tips on nearly each page. It covers how to organize your writng, it gives basic, but often forgotten use of proper English, it gives the aspiring writer hope for sucessfull entry into the world of published writing. I can't say enough to sing the praises of this basic little book to start a beginning writer get off the ground.
Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
|
Store Categories
|