How Not to Write: An Office Primer for the Gramatically Perplexed

by Terence Denman

In a fast-paced workplace, where emails fly at lightning speed, precision and brevity are essential for good communication. But all too often we let spell-checkers do the dirty work—because many of us have forgotten the simple grammar rules we learned in school.
 
In How Not to Write , Terence Denman, instructor with the U.K.-based Plain English Campaign, sets out the top 10 grammar myths and the 10 grammar rules to live and work by. Readers will learn
 
     •  Position prepositions
     •  Chop off unwanted auxiliaries
     •  Root out passivity
     •  Eliminate extraneous adjectives
     •  Punctuate with impunity
 
With a breezy, wry, and accessible tone that never scols but always enlightens, How Not to Write is an indispensible guide to clear, concise, and correct language in the workplace.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Reference, Business

160 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2005

Reviews

[Debra Daniels-Zeller]

I got this book as a gift and inside is exactly as promised on the cover, so I couldn't really expect it to be more. This is the reason I give it 4 stars. For me it was too much with all the work place writing examples, I need more focus on fiction or narrative non fiction. I was shocked that people in the work place write so poorly. No time for reading? Anyway if you need a quick primer on grammar this is it, from periods to pronouns and using or which. If you don't write much, this book is one place to start.

[Paige Poenitske]

As far as grammar books go, I'd say that this is one of the best for quick tips to improve your writing. The author is punchy, yet concise and gives helpful, actionable tips to write correctly. I do think this has helped better my writing, so I recommend it!

[Dione Sage]

Grammar is often taken for granted in today's society so I rather enjoyed this book. I also was reminded of a few of my own daily errors in which I overlook quite a bit.

[Barb]

808.042 / D417h at Pinney Library.

[Ziyad Ali]

A simple and a worth reading book. It takes you between grammar tips and correcting some writing myths.