How to Write Communicating Ideas and Info

by Herbert Meyer

This little book is one of the more helpful guides for the beginning writer. It emphasizes good organization in getting startedon a first draft, and gives clear, intelligent counsel on how to do this...Will surely help the young, the confused and the struggling." The Washington Post

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

110 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Juergen John Roscher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought Herbert Meyer’s book, “How to Write: Communication Ideas and Info” several years ago but it sat on my book shelf unread. I was looking for a writing book and decided it was time to give this book a try.

This writing book does not target a specific type of writing or genre of book. The concepts taught in the book are general to any type of writing from essays, poetry, fiction, or non-fiction. This book has three main sections: (1) organizing for a writing project, (2) how to develop a first draft, and (3) how to polish the first draft into a finished product (editing).

The book provides a good overview of the writing process; from preparing to write by organizing thoughts, collect resources, and creating an outline, to setting down and creating a first draft (writing and not worrying about the quality of the writing), to editing the first draft (maybe several times) to get a presentable work. The book does have good examples of each step in the writing process to help the reader better understand the concepts being taught by the author.

I would recommend Meyer’s book to those who need basic help in writing for school, work, or pleasure. I think the book would be helpful for a student entering college or anyone who needs a refresher in basics of writing. I would not recommend this book to those who are experienced writers since the concepts taught should be already part of their tool kit.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short book best suited for someone struggling with writing or who was taught that writing is really nothing more than grammar. The book provides a simplified look at writing as a process and as a series of decisions.

[Chrystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear, informative guide on how to begin the writing process and how to complete it. The outline this book provides can be applied to all types of writing materials and genres. It would be a good compliment to genre-specific guides.