The Random House Guide to Good Writing

by Mitchell Ivers (Editor)

Teaches the techniques of good writing, with examples, exercises, and advice on usage, grammar, punctuation, and style

Genres: Nonfiction

239 pages, Hardcover

First published November 19, 1991

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book was published in 1991, the advice and suggestions are still relevant. In fact, this is one of the best how-to writing guides I’ve come across in a while. The descriptions in chapter two on voice and tone are excellent. One of the book’s most helpful strategies is that the author asks us to read a short story by Edgar Allen Poe in the Appendix, then return to chapter three and see how it can be broken down into an outline.

Author Mitchell Ivers doesn’t only address fiction, but provides great advice on writing memos, business letters, newspaper, and magazine articles. The chapters on grammar and usage are helpful reference tools worth reading.

This book is a comprehensive read that gets to the point. Even the appendices are useful, especially the one that addresses when to use italics, which brand names should be capitalized, and how to use numbers properly. Not only will beginning writers learn a lot, but it’s also a terrific refresher for those who’ve been writing for some time.