Writing with Style : Conversations on the Art of Writing

by Trimble, John R.

• ISBN13: 9780130257130
• ISBN10: 0130257133
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

A storehouse of practical writing tips, written in a lively, conversational style. Readers lean to develop a "writer's sense" : the book demonstrates that writing is really applied psychology since it is essentially the art of creating desired effects. Provides an explanation of what effects are desirable and how to create them. An exceptional book that works successfully on several levels simultaneously.Provides new insight into: how to generate interesting ideas and get them down on paper; how to write a critical analysis; how to write a crisp opener; how to invigorate a banal style; how to punctuate with confidence; how to handle various conventions, and much more.For anyone who needs a reference guide on writing.

Table of Contents

A Word About These ``Conversations''	v
Preface to the Second Edition	vii
Acknowledgments	ix
Fundamentals
Thinking Well	3	(10)
Getting Launched	13	(12)
Openers	25	(7)
Middles	32	(17)
Closers	49	(4)
Diction	53	(11)
Readability	64	(18)
Superstitions	82	(12)
How to Write a Critical Analysis	94	(5)
Revising	99	(1)
Proofreading	100	(5)
Odds & Ends
Punctuation	105	(28)
Semicolons	105	(6)
Commas	111	(6)
Parentheses	117	(3)
Dashes	120	(6)
Colons	126	(3)
Hyphens	129	(3)
Exclamation points	132	(1)
Quoting	133	(16)
Punctuation introducing quotations	133	(2)
Punctuation at the end of quotations	135	(1)
Miscellaneous small points	136	(1)
Indented quotations	137	(3)
Orphan quotes	140	(1)
Dialogue	141	(2)
Punctuating run-on quotations of poetry	143	(1)
References for quotations	144	(1)
Punctuating paranthetical references	145	(2)
Ellipses	147	(1)
Editorial insertions (square brackets)	148	(1)
Abbreviations	149	(2)
Tips on Usage	151	(9)
Epilogue	160	(30)
Writers Talking Shop
Writers Talking Shop	165	(25)
Sources	190	(6)
Index	196