Writing Well in the 21st Century

by Linda Spencer

Writing Well in the 21st The Five Essentials provides students, career-builders, and professional writers with the basic elements needed for writing in the 21st century. The book fully explains—and links—the five essentials of good

Throughout history technology has changed both language and writing. Today in the digital age, language and writing are changing at a phenomenal pace. Students, career-builders, and professional writers need this guide that reviews those changes and connects the essentials for creating good writing in the digital age. Writing Well in the 21st The Five Essentials gives writers the tools needed today. Among other essentials, the


Relevant and succinctly written, Writing Well in the 21st The Five Essentials gives readers the basics they need to know to create well-written documents for school, work and in their professional writing.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Yu-Jie Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

English isn't my first language, and I wasn't seeking a way to improve it. But when I walked past this book in library, its uniquely clean spine and connotative cover designs caught my eyes.

The author takes me through the language, American English, explaining the Punctuation and Grammar. Proper, correct, and acceptable, plus what are in debates. Then the Facts, what they are, how to get them right, and some useful resources. Followed by the Style and Voice, how to keep a unique and consistent style with your own voice (or without).

Uncomplicated "Essentials" and evident examples, resources and references for further readings, "One Last Word" for quick checklists, and "Practice" for evaluating yourself that how much you truly understand.

That book isn't just telling you what's the proper or better way to write, but it also gives the rationales and examples.

[Ryan Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't find this particularly interesting or insightful. Rather disappointing, really...

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does what it advertises: it is a clear, to-the-point reference on what you need to know to write well in today's times. I profess, I knew much of what this book covers. I wanted to see what the author says has changed since I learned to write 50-ish years ago. As it turns out, not a whole lot has changed, which reassures me.

If you write for an audience and if you feel uncertain of your writing skills, this book is for you. It is an entire semester of writing instruction in less than 150 pages.

The drawbacks are few. The author covers single word sentences consisting of a verb ("Sing!", "Dance?") or an interjection ("Yikes!"), but she fails to cover a question like "So...?" or a declaration like "So there.". This isn't a huge omission, but I would have liked to hear her explanation of such sentences.

Spencer argues that proper American English is what the preponderance of American English writers say it is. Unlike the French language, there is no central authority. I feel a little uneasy buying into the concept that American English is what people say it is, period, end of story. I think there may be a little more to it than that, but what specifically, I don't know. We hear about the Grammar Police from time to time. Don't they have any power at all? Whoever "they" are? It is a little disconcerting to be so unanchored.

Honestly, based on how much I enjoyed reading this book, I would have awarded 3 stars (i.e., I liked it). Most people aren't going to read a book like this for pleasure. This book is for instruction and reference, and at that, I believe it excels. It could have been a little longer and covered a few topics in more depth. And where are the Grammar Police? Nonetheless, easily worth 4 stars.

[Seán O'Hara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been asking all my writing friends about the 'mechanics' of writing. I got some goodish responses, but most were somewhat vague. This books hits the bull-eye for me! So many of the important ways the make your writing the best and most consistent. Some of the points were hinted at by others, but this author puts it together in a very concise manner. A great reference to keep you writing well as you create you work! Wonderful!!

[Mills College Library]

808.042 S7458 2014

[Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, concise, and with examples that make sense.