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Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing
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...more
Paperback, 198 pages
Published
January 6th 2000
by Prentice Hall
(first published 1975)
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I recommend this short book on writing. The author, John Trimble, wrote it as a quick-to-read "survival guide" for students. Trimble does not go into great detail nor does he examine the different modes of discourse. Rather, he discusses ways to think about non-fiction writing in general. For this reason, the book might be best suited for someone who has some writing experience.
What I most like about this book is that Trimble focuses on thinking like a writer rather than on following set formula...more
What I most like about this book is that Trimble focuses on thinking like a writer rather than on following set formula...more
Simply the best: for anyone who wants to challenge their creativity and to learn the pleasure of this hard work--writing. If you only have time to read one and only one book on writing, choose this one. You will not regret it. Besides, it's really short: less than 200 pages. On top of everything, it is amazingly readable--a paragon of non-textbook. No wonder the third edition is already out.
This book changed my view about composition courses; it convinced me the legitimacy of an English Departm...more
This book changed my view about composition courses; it convinced me the legitimacy of an English Departm...more
Writing with Style is a survival kit; it’s helped me understand many of the problems I face as a writer and how to overcome them. But it’s also a tool-box; ready with a host of suggestions that bettered my writing in places I didn’t know needed improvement.
Mr. Trimble provides tips that make the actual writing process easier, but he also shows how to make our writing more effective. He encourages us to think beyond ourselves when we write; to not focus on whether a phrase sounds super-smart but...more
Mr. Trimble provides tips that make the actual writing process easier, but he also shows how to make our writing more effective. He encourages us to think beyond ourselves when we write; to not focus on whether a phrase sounds super-smart but...more
Jul 06, 2011
Jeannie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
grammar-and-composition,
writing
This book was the main text for my first composition class as an English major at BYU. That was more than 30 years ago and I still pull Trimble off the shelf when I need to teach certain concepts or just check my own writing.
Once in a while I like to just take Trimble down off the shelf and read him again. He applies the concepts as he teaches them, taking all of the drudgery out of learning the mechanics of writing. As a result, Writing with Style doesn't read like a text book. It's just a gre...more
Once in a while I like to just take Trimble down off the shelf and read him again. He applies the concepts as he teaches them, taking all of the drudgery out of learning the mechanics of writing. As a result, Writing with Style doesn't read like a text book. It's just a gre...more
If you are interested becoming a better writer, this is a great book to look into. I love how, as he tells his reader how to write, Trimble follows his own rules. He talks about the importance of thinking of your reader, and he gives advice on how to make the reader comfortable with tone, sentence structure, diction, etc., and at the same time, he is incredibly considerate of his own readers. His book is a wonderful example of the principles he is trying to teach. It is easy, short, and interest...more
This is my favorite writing book. I have read many of them, but this one unifies and organizes the wisdom of the good ones and shows why some pieces of advice are wrong and other are worse-- wrong-headed. It shows the connection between morality and clear writing that John Gardner wrote about unclearly in On Moral Fiction and that nearly any sensitive reader feels when reading George Orwell's later work. E.B. White's essays come to mind- also Cheever's short stories and Thoreau's last writings.
This is a book that most writing instructors use in their classes. Thus, I followed suit and used it in my own writing class with college students, and I will certainly do so in the next semester. Trimble uses a lot of examples within each chapter, and the chapters themselves are short and not condescending. One thing I like is that Trimble didn't spend a lot of time on basic grammar and the like. The assumption is that students are mostly past that stage, and that's a fair estimation for the co...more
This book is for everyone - writers, non writers who are forced to write for school or work, or just for people messing around with words. The topics included everything from how to be concise, to using a "font door approach," to, my personal favorite, how to not "bleed." This book saved me in my intermediate rhetoric and comp class, and I put much faith in it. The examples are relevant and entertaining. Give this one a shot!
For anyone who wants to improve their communication either written or spoken I highly recommend this book. My favorite part is the first few chapters before he gets into the practical measure of how to improve. With that I don't mean to imply that the rest is rubbish, which of course it is not. I just don't see how telling people to read the riveting chapter on punctuation is going to garner much interest.
There is a lot of useable advice in here, though it will be more pertinent to an undergraduate audience than a professional or graduate student writer. I like, especially, how the book combines advice on style and structure with other pragmatic advice about how to use quotes, punctuation, and often erroneously used/spelled words correctly. I'm hoping it will be a useful addition to my composition class next quarter.
In this friendly style manual, famed UT professor John Trimble addresses issues that writers of all caliber face. Never condescending, Writing with Style meets you on your level, gently uncovers your writing flaws, and then guides you through the solutions.
This book is not only useful as a reference manual, but also fun and easy to read.
This book is not only useful as a reference manual, but also fun and easy to read.
How could a writing handbook be "amazing"? By being one of the only writing handbooks this English teacher has read that actually is both readable and effective. Trimble dispenses his instruction with wit, skill, and--yes--style. If your professor assigns this text in your writing class, or teaches from it elsewhere, lap it up. It's the real deal.
This is a must read for anyone wanting make their writing more interesting and focused. Not only will this book explain how to make a piece flow from one paragraph to the next, but it will also help young writers ignore some of those no-no's their english teacher preached to them.
Easy to read and understand. Not dry and boring. Best part of book (worth it just for this alone) is the section on transitional words. It's helped me out in many cases when I just couldn't think of a word to move me from one section of writing to another.
Much of this book, particularly the sections on punctuation rules, was review to me. However, for a beginning writer, this book would be invaluable. Even though I am more experienced, I still gained a lot from the beginning sections about how to write effective openers, middles and closers in essays. Anyone who is writing critical essays should check out this book.
Best book about how to write in college I've ever read. Aside from the technical writing hints, there was a lot of wisdom about writing in general that I feel can be applied across multiple genres. I highly recommend it!
This is a fantastic book that all writers, whether fiction or non-fiction, should read. I wish I'd read it when I was a teenager -- it would have been a handy tool for the past 17+ years.
A thin volume packed with intelligent tips on how to improve your writing skills. I bought this for a composition class in community college, and turn back to it every time I need a boost.
This wonderfully readable book is filled with useful writing advice. It's short chapters and visual variety make it easy to read in small digestible bits. I highly recommend it.
Forget Strunk and White. This is the absolute best grammar guide for elegant, readable prose. It's consummately readable itself since John Trimble practices what he preaches.
Brilliant short book that everyone entering college in the liberal arts should read at least once. You won't regret it.
I totally got excited about commas, and showed illuminating examples to nearby friends.
What have I become?
What have I become?
If you're looking to improve your writing, this is one you must have. And read, and study, and practice.
If I were to recommend only one book to college level writers, this would be it.
I use it in my English II, English III, and AP Language & Composition classes.
This book taught me everything I never learned about grammar.
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Best "how to" book on writing!
Great book on writing and style.
I picked this up in a thrift store and discovered a treasure! It's clear and compelling, with engaging writing. The writing examples are pertinent and it's easy to see the point that the author is attempting to illustrate. It's written at a level where an average high-schooler or skilled elementary school student can understand, though the book probably wouldn't hold the attention of an elementary school student for long.
Trimble definitely practices what he preaches.
There is a newer edition.
Trimble definitely practices what he preaches.
There is a newer edition.
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