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Book SynopsisNow in its 10th edition, English Skills with Readings emphasizes personalized learning to address student deficits in grammar and mechanics.  Throughout the book, students are exposed to examples of writing that reflect the three key realms of their lives - personal, academic, and workplace.  Seeing these different types of writing helps students understand the critical way in which writing will have an impact on the many facets of their lives.  English Skills with Readings continues to encourage new writers to see writing as a skill that can be learned and a process that must be explored. The four skills, or bases, for effective writing are as follows: Unity: Discover a clearly stated point, or topic sentence, and make sure that all other information in the paragraph or essay supports thTable of ContentsReadings Listed by Rhetorical Mode Preface PART 1 Fundamentals of Effective Writing 1. An Introduction to Writing 2. The Four Bases and the Writing Process 3. The First and Second Steps in Writing 4. The Third Step in Writing 5. The Fourth Step in Writing 6. Four Bases for Revising Writing PART 2 Paragraph Development 7. Description 8. Narration9. Exemplification10. Process 11. Cause and/or Effect 12. Comparison and/or Contrast13. Definition 14. Division-Classification15. ArgumentPART 3 Essay Development 16. Writing the Essay PART 4 Source-Based Writing in the Digital Age17. Information Literacy18. Using Sources to Write Papers PART 5 Handbook of Sentence Skills Section I Grammer19. Subjects and Verbs 20. Sentence Sense21. Fragments22. Run-Ons23. Regular and Irregular Verbs 24. Subject-Verb Agreement 25. More about Verbs26. Pronoun Agreement and Reference 27. Pronoun Types 28. Adjectives and Adverbs 29. Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers Section II Mechanics 30. Capital Letters 31. Numbers and Abbreviations Section III Punctuation 32. Apostrophes 33. Quotation Marks 34. Commas 35. Other Punctuation Marks Section IV Word Use 36. Commonly Confused Words 37. Effective Word Choice Section V Practice 38. Editing Tests PART 6 Readings for Writers INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS GOALS AND VALUESEDUCATION AND SELF-AWARENESS HUMAN GROUPS AND SOCIETY APPENDIXES A. Sentence-Skills Diagnostic Test B. Sentence-Skills Achievement Test C. Answers to Sentence-Skills Diagnostic TestINDEXINSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate mini English dictionary and thesaurus to support you at work, at school and at home. This is an indispensable guide to the English language. Part of the Collins Gem range the world''s best-selling mini dictionaries it provides dictionary definitions and thesaurus synonyms on the same page for incomparable quick and easy reference.This book provides the most up-to-date words, clear definitions and accessible same-page dictionary and thesaurus texts all in the handy and portable Gem format.In addition to the wide range of definitions and synonyms, it has a handy and practical supplement on punctuation and spelling rules.With its clear layout and matching dictionary and thesaurus entries on the same page, you can be confident to find all the latest words you need and fast!

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Book SynopsisFrom academic writing to personal and public discourse, the need for good arguments and better ways of arguing is greater than ever before. This timely fifth edition of A Rulebook for Arguments sharpens an already-classic text, adding updated examples and a new chapter on public debates that provides rules for the etiquette and ethics of sound public dialogue as well as clear and sound thinking in general.Trade ReviewComments on the previous edition: "This is the ultimate 'how-to' book for anyone who wants to use reasons and evidence in support of conclusions, to be clear instead of confusing, persuasive instead of dogmatic, and better at evaluating the arguments of others." --Debra Nails, Michigan State University

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Book SynopsisRevisit the lost art of writing with these fun prompts, worksheets, exercises—and more!—and experience the many benefits of writing by hand, including increased focus and memory, relaxation, and creative expression.Writing by hand may seem passé in the digital age, but it shouldn’t be dismissed as simply an activity for grade schoolers—it offers countless benefits that have been studied by researchers, brain neurologists, therapists, educators, and others who are invested in helping handwriting thrive in an age of advancing technology. Handwriting may be slower than typing—but this gives your brain more time to process information, and stimulates neurological connections that aid in memory, focus, and composition. The process of handwriting can also have a soothing, calming effect and can even serve as a great form of meditation. And of course, it’s a great way of expressing your individuality and personal style. The Lost Art of Handwriting explores the history of writing longhand, and reintroduces proper stroke sequences, letter forms, and techniques for evaluating and improving your handwriting. You will discover how the amazing variety of letter forms provide endless opportunities for making these alphabets your own, and how to choose alternatives that fit your preferences while keeping your writing neat, consistent, and unique to you. You’ll learn how to connect letters in cursive writing to help you write more smoothly, and with practice, more efficiently. Learn how easy it is to apply what you’ve learned into your everyday life with tips for integrating handwriting practice into already jam-packed schedules. Soon, you’ll notice a steady increase in the relaxation, value, and joy that handwriting offers to everyone who persists in putting the pen or pencil to paper.Trade Review“Brenna captures the art of handwriting in such a beautiful way, from explaining the history and breaking down the basics to discussing her signature style of flourishing in this book. I was blown away by the information and topics covered in the book allowing me to see handwriting in another perspective. Such an amazing book that answers the ‘why’ and getting started.” —Shelly Kim of Letters By Shells, author of Learn to Create Modern Calligraphy Lettering and Learn to Create Art Deco Lettering“I am absolutely blown away by the vast amount of information there is in this book, and at how wonderfully detailed it is. From diving into the history of handwriting to being able to successfully learn by practicing different types of styles with clear and beautiful examples, there is no doubt this book will help anyone improve—and thoroughly enjoy—their handwriting.” —Chrystal Elizabeth, modern letterer and author of Brush Lettering Made Simple“A wonderful resource for anyone who is interested in penmanship! Brenna not only brings you into the rich history behind handwriting; she guides you through beautiful scripts and styles that will inspire you to put pen to paper.” —Younghae Chung of Logos Calligraphy + Design“Brenna is a master of her craft and she doesn’t hold back in these abundant pages full of instruction and inspiration. She has an effortless way of guiding you to fall in love with your unique handwriting—how to embrace it, mold it, and really own it—showing you the priceless value it has. This book is experimental yet timeless!” —Peggy Dean, author and art educator“Will have you penning beautiful letters in no time.” —Columbia Tribune

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Book SynopsisIn 1995, the D&AD published a book on the art of writing for advertising. The then best-selling book remains an important reference work today—a bible for creative directors. D&AD and TASCHEN have joined forces to bring you an updated and redesigned edition of the publication. Regarded as the most challenging field in advertising, copywriting is usually left to the most talented professionals—often agency leaders or owners themselves. The book features a work selection and essays by 53 leading professionals in the world, including copywriting superstars such as David Abbott, Lionel Hunt, Steve Hayden, Dan Wieden, Neil French, Mike Lescarbeau, Adrian Holmes, and Barbara Nokes. The lessons to be learned on these pages will help you create clearer and more persuasive arguments, whether you are writing an inspiring speech, an engaging web banner or a persuasive letter. This is not simply a “must-have” book for people in advertising and marketing, it is also a “should-have” for anyone who needs to involve or influence people, by webpage, on paper, or in person.Trade ReviewThe Copy Book convinced me that everyone in business should study the art of copywriting. * Fortune.com *

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Book SynopsisWrite Well to Sell Big!In the age of e-mail and instant communication, great sales copy is indispensable to closing a deal. But too many sales letters end up in the junk file or the wastebasket. In this new edition of his top-selling book, author Dan Kennedy explains why some sales letters work and most don''t. And he shows how to write copy that any business can use.Among other things, he provides: Completely updated text and examples Great headline formulas New exercises to spark creativity The best way to use graphics Kennedy is the most successful, highly paid direct-response copywriter in the country. In this book, he shares his step-by-step formula so everyone can write letters that will nail the sale.

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Book SynopsisThis second edition of Paul Silvia’s popular guide offers practical, light‑hearted advice to help academics become more productive writers.Trade Review“Do you find your grant-writing intruding on time you’d rather spend with your family? Did revisions to that last journal article ruin your vacation? Then this book might be just the thing you need… tips and tricks hold true for academics in almost any field…Silva backs up all his recommendations with evidence from behavioral studies and personal experience that is often as witty as it is insightful.” —Edgeforscholars.org “Tips to increase your productivity and a surprisingly good section on grammar.” —Thesiswhisperer.com “Silvia draws from his own experience in psychology to explain how to write, submit, and revise academic work, from journal articles to books, all without sacrificing evenings, weekends, and vacations. The tips and strategies in this second edition… have been fully updated to apply to academic writing in most disciplines.” —Midwest Book ReviewPerhaps there are graduate students or faculty members who write as much as they think they should but, if so, I haven’t met any of them in nearly 40 years being a professor. But I’ve certainly met many people who manage to write a lot, and all of them employ one or more of the tactics that Silvia describes. Henceforth, no one should be allowed to complain about how little writing they are getting done unless they have read—and applied—the wisdom in this book. -- Mark R. Leary, PhD, Garonzik Family Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NCSilvia demystifies the process of writing and deftly debunks common excuses academics make for not getting it done! The message is simple but powerful: When writing becomes a workday habit, you can write a lot and find more time for life outside of work. -- Monica Biernat, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of Kansas, LawrenceIn this second edition, Silvia helps readers solve the riddle of writing. By using a mixture of science, humor, and compassion, he shows how he has helped thousands of people become productive writers. If you want to stop worrying about writing, this book is required reading. -- C. Nathan DeWall, PhD, Professor of Psychology, University of Kentucky, LexingtonWherever you are on the continuum from bright-eyed and bushy-tailed newbie to grizzly gray-haired veteran on the academic tour, you need to own this book. And don’t just own it; read it. Often. I recommend at least quarterly. You’ll nod. You’ll smile. You’ll fire your writing fervour if you follow Silvia’s suggestions. And most importantly, you’ll write a lot. -- Lisa F. Smith, EdD, University of Otago, Otago, New ZealandThis is a well written, funny, and utterly practical hands-on guide on how to not just write more but also write better, more efficiently, and know how to submit and revise articles. I can’t imagine a graduate student, young professional, or anyone who struggles with writer’s block not needing this book. -- James C. Kaufman, PhD, Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Connecticut, StorrsTable of ContentsContents Preface 1. Introduction 2. Specious Barriers to Writing a Lot 3. The Care and Feeding of Writing Schedules 4. Starting a Writing Group 5. A Brief Foray Into Style 6. Writing Journal Articles 7. Writing Books 8. Writing Proposals for Grants and Fellowships 9. “The Good Things Still to Be Written” References Index About the author

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Book SynopsisTeaching and learning MLA style is about to get easier.For nearly seventy years, the Modern Language Association has helped student writers choose trustworthy sources and use them to support their own ideas. Now, the authority on writing and research presents the clearest approach to MLA style yet with the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook.The ninth edition works as both a textbook and a reference guide. Focusing on source evaluation, it features a wealth of visual examples and updated advice on punctuation and grammar, footnotes and endnotes, annotated bibliographies, and paper formatting.An all-in-one resource that makes MLA style easier to learn and use, the MLA Handbook includes: Expanded, in-depth guidance on creating works-cited-list entries using the MLA template of core elements that explains what each core element is, where to find it in various sources, and how to style it. A new, easy-to-follow explanation of in-text citations. A new chapter containing recommendations for using inclusive language. A new appendix with hundreds of sample works-cited-list entries by publication format, including books, databases, websites, YouTube videos, interviews, and more. Updated guidelines on avoiding plagiarism. Although there are numerous websites, apps, reference works, and cheat sheets that claim to help with MLA style, there’s only one truly authoritative resource to help your students on their paths to becoming better writers. The ninth edition of the MLA Handbook is the most comprehensive guide the MLA has ever produced, with an all-inclusive approach to writing, research, documentation, and formatting.Trade ReviewGeared ... to the needs of today’s students and teachers. ...Essential." - ChoiceTable of Contents Preface Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Formatting Your Research Project 3. Principles of Inclusive Language 4. Documenting Sources: An Overview 5. The List of Works Cited 6. Citing Sources in the Text 7. Notes Appendix 1: Abbreviations Appendix 2: Works-Cited-List Entries by Publication Format Appendix Contents Work-Cited-List Entries Index

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Book SynopsisBird by Bird is the bible of writing guides - a wry, honest, down-to-earth book that has never stopped selling since it was first published in the United States in the 1990s. Bestselling novelist and memoirist Anne Lamott distils what she's learned over years of trial and error. Beautifully written, wise and immensely helpful, this is the book for all serious writers and writers-to-be.Trade ReviewSuperb writing advice . . . hilarious, helpful and provocative * * New York Times Book Review * *A warm, generous and hilarious guide through the writer's world and its treacherous swamps * * Los Angeles Times * *[A] classic of the genre * * Guardian * *My go-to gift or recommendation for anyone interested in writing, though it is as much a treatise on life as it is a creative-writing primer -- MATT HAIGA generous and funny guide to writing and life -- BONNIE GARMUS * * Guardian * *Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is a classic for a reason. A warm and honest look at the real work of writing, funny and realistic and also encouraging. I always return to it -- SOPHIE MACKINTOSH * * NZ Herald * *A treasure trove of insight both practical and profound, timelessly revisitable and yielding deeper resonance each time * * Brain Pickings * *Deftly and honestly explores the mental challenges of being a writer, and Lamott's advice is, simply put, invaluable * * Bustle * *Praise for Almost Everything: Anne Lamott is a cause for celebration. [Her] real genius lies in capturing the ineffable, describing not perfect moments, but imperfect ones . . . perfectly. She is nothing short of miraculous * * New Yorker * *I keep learning a lot from the clear and great Annie Lamott. I think you will, too -- GLORIA STEINEM

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Book SynopsisDoes your handwriting reflect the image you want to project?The way you write mirrors your mood and character. It is one of the main ways in which you communicate with the world, and the clarity and technique of your writing will be interpreted by others in many ways.This practical and informative book will help you to improve your handwriting and find a mature, attractive and individual style. It is specifically written for adults and uses self-diagnosis to identify problems and provides exercises for improving your script. In a digital age where writing by hand remains a vital skill, this book covers everything from holding a pen and retraining bad habits, to the difficulties that left handers face and problems that may be caused by medical conditions. It shows how to write quickly and clearly when desired, and beautifully when desired.Experiment with the way you write and choose the style that suits you best, enabling you to write quickly andTrade Review"This book helped me to easily diagnose what went wrong and how to set about improving my writing" * Tanya - Amazon reviewer *Table of Contents : Part one: Handwriting problems : 1. Self-diagnosis : 2. More about self-diagnosis : 3. Practical matters : 4. Help for left-handers : 5. More serious problems : Part two: How to put things right : 6. Regaining control : 7. Rhythm and texture : 8. A training model : 9. Joining up : 10. Personal modifications : 11. Capital letters : Part three: Before and after : Part four: Finishing touches : 12. Layout : 13. A more formal model

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Book SynopsisOVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD Why are the best words short and old? Why are full stops a writer's best friend? How can we simplify, then exaggerate? And what exactly are dangling modifiers? We'd all like to write with style. But what does that mean, and what can we learn from The Economist, a publication well known for its clarity and flair? Welcome to Writing with Style, an elegant survey of the principles available for writing better prose. By adopting some tried and tested tools and techniques, you too can learn how to inform, persuade and entertain when you write. Whether you want to know your singulars from your subjunctives, how colons add drama or why the word "comprise" is contaminated, this is the style guide for you.Trade ReviewPraise for Lane Greene: 'One of my favourite writers on language -- Steven PinkerOpen-minded and discerning ... [Greene is] hard to argue with -- Daniel Hahn * Spectator *Enjoyable, informative and persuasive * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisWe were all taught the fundamentals of writing well in school. But how do we write effectively in today’s hyper-interactive world? When The Elements of Style and On Writing Well were published in 1959 and 1976, the internet hadn’t been invented. Since then, there has been a radical transformation in how we communicate. The average adult receives over 100 emails and tens of text messages each day. With all this correspondence, gaining a busy reader’s attention is now a competition. Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink, both behavioural scientists, offer practical writing advice you can use today. They begin by outlining cognitive facts about how busy people read, then detail six research-backed principles for effective writing: Use fewer words Lower the reading level Use formatting judiciously Make the purpose clear for skimmers Emphasise value for readers Make responding as easy as possible. Including many examples, a checklist, and other tools for the most effective writing, this handbook will make you a more effective communicator. Rogers and Lasky-Fink bring conventional ideas about text-based communication into the 21st century’s radically transformed attention marketplace.Trade Review‘Rogers and Lasky-Fink’s research has fascinated me for a long time — and one of the reasons it’s so great is because their writing is so readable. This book is an explanation about how to transform your own everyday writing so that it is easier to read, easier to write — and more likely to make a real difference in the world.’ -- Charles Duhigg, author of bestsellers The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better‘Amazing. The best book ever written on effective writing. It will change your life — and make the world a better place.’ -- Cass R. Sunstein, Harvard University, co-author of Nudge‘This book is a home run. It will teach readers the science of getting people to read and respond to messages. What could be more practical than that? This book will be a must read for everyone who communicates in writing … And I cannot imagine a better pair of authors for this book either.’ -- Robert Cialdini, author of international bestseller Influence: the psychology of persuasion‘I wish this book had existed earlier in my career, because it would have saved me from countless mistakes and wasted hours. Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink show how effective writing makes life and work easier, more pleasant, and more productive. Read it today and you will write better tomorrow.’ -- Arthur C. Brooks, Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, author of From Strength to Strength‘However skilled a writer you are, the insights and tools presented here will make you better. The techniques speak to both courtesy and strategy: respect readers’ time, understand their needs and you’ll gain their focus and trust. Grounded in research but designed for impact.’ -- Nancy Gibbs, Edward R. Murrow Professor of Practice of Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University, former managing editor of TIME, author of The Presidents Club‘Indispensable! This actionable, evidence-based guide will help you unleash the power of effective writing. Witty, well-organised, and imminently useful, Writing for Busy Readers is a gem. You’ll never craft a subpar email, text, or memo again.’ -- Katy Milkman, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, author of How to Change‘Inspiring and practical in equal measure and successfully shows the profound difference that effective written communication can make. The contest for people’s attention is fierce but we’ve all got a better chance with this book as our guide.’ -- Ros Atkins * BBC News *‘Science-based tips to help you cut through the noise and reach readers. This is a helpful guide to achieving your communication goals.’ -- Viorica Marian, Northwestern University, author of The Power of Language‘Cost: £17 and three hours of time. Benefit: Hundreds of hours of your time and thousands of hours of the time of others. Conclusion: Good deal.’ -- Max Bazerman, Harvard Business School, author of Complicit‘This book won’t just make you a better writer — it will turn you into a more effective communicator. Writing for Busy Readers is a surprisingly captivating guide to conjuring words that captivate people. Move over, AI: this is the ultimate guide to sharpen every meaningful message you craft.’ -- Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and Hidden Potential, and host of the TED podcast Re:Thinking‘Genius! A succinct, sage guide to writing effectively — and the only one I know of that is grounded in evidence of what really works.’ -- Angela Duckworth, University of Pennsylvania, Founder and CEO of Character Lab, and author of Grit‘[A] useful handbook on how to efficiently get one’s point across, whether in an email, work memo, or social media post … The thoughtful advice is pragmatic and the prose fittingly concise and straightforward. It’s Strunk & White for the internet age.’ * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisSteven Pinker, the bestselling author of The Language Instinct, deploys his gift for explaining big ideas in The Sense of Style - an entertaining writing guide for the 21st centuryWhat is the secret of good prose? Does writing well even matter in an age of instant communication? Should we care? In this funny, thoughtful book about the modern art of writing, Steven Pinker shows us why we all need a sense of style.More than ever before, the currency of our social and cultural lives is the written word, from Twitter and texting to blogs, e-readers and old-fashioned books. But most style guides fail to prepare people for the challenges of writing in the 21st century, portraying it as a minefield of grievous errors rather than a form of pleasurable mastery. They fail to deal with an inescapable fact about language: it changes over time, adapted by millions of writers and speakers to their needs. Confusing changes in the world with moral decline, every generation believes the kids today are degrading society and taking language with it. A guide for the new millennium, writes Steven Pinker, has to be different.Drawing on the latest research in linguistics and cognitive science, Steven Pinker replaces the recycled dogma of previous style guides with reason and evidence. This thinking person''s guide to good writing shows why style still matters: in communicating effectively, in enhancing the spread of ideas, in earning a reader''s trust and, not least, in adding beauty to the world. Eye-opening, mind-expanding and cheerful, The Sense of Style shows that good style is part of what it means to be human.

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Book Synopsis William Strunk, Jr. first used his own book, The Elements of Style, in 1919 for his English 8 course at Cornell University. The book was published in 1935 by Oliver Strunk. E. B. White was a student in Professor Strunk's class at Cornell, and used the little book for himself. Commissioned by Macmillan to revise Strunk's book, White edited the 1959 and 1972 editions of The Elements of Style.Trade Review"...a marvellous and timeless little book... Here, succinctly, elegantly and without fuss are the essentials of writing clear, correct English." John Clare, The TelegraphTable of Contents FOREWORD. INTRODUCTION. I.ELEMENTARY RULES OF USAGE. 1.Form the Possessive Singular of Nouns by Adding 's. 2.In a Series of Three or More Terms with a Single Conjunction, Use a Comma after Each Term except the Last. 3.Enclose Parenthetic Expressions between Commas. 4.Place a Comma before a Conjunction Introducing an Independent Clause. 5.Do Not Join Independent Clauses with a Comma. 6.Do Not Break Sentences in Two. 7.Use a Colon after an Independent Clause to Introduce a List of Particulars, an Appositive, an Amplification, or an Illustrative Question. 8.Use a Dash to Set Off an Abrupt Break or Interruption and to Announce a Long Appositive or Summary. 9.The Number of the Subject Determines the Number of the Verb. 10.Use the Proper Case of Pronoun. 11.A Participial Phrase at the Beginning of the Sentence Must Refer to the Grammatical Subject. II.ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION. 12.Choose a Suitable Sesign and Hold to It. 13.Make the Paragraph the unit of Composition. 14.Use the Active Voice. 15.Put Statements in Positive Form. 16.Use Definite, Specific, Concrete Language. 17.Omit Needless Words. 18.Avoid a Succession of Loose Sentences. 19.Express Coordinate Ideas in Similar Form. 20.Keep Related Words Together. 21.In Summaries, Keep to One Tense. 22.Place the Emphatic Words of a Sentence at the End. III.A FEW MATTERS OF FORM. IV.WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS COMMONLY MISUSED. V.AN APPROACH TO STYLE (WITH A LIST OF REMINDERS). 1.Place Yourself in the Background. 2.Write in a Way That Comes Naturally. 3.Work From a Suitable Style. 4.Write with Nouns and Verbs. 5.Revise and Rewrite. 6.Do Not Overwrite. 7.Do Not Overstate. 8.Avoid the Use of Qualifiers. 9.Do Not Affect a Breezy Manner. 10.Use Orthodox Spelling. 11.Do Not Explain Too Much. 12.Do Not Construct Awkward Adverbs. 13.Make Sure the Reader Knows Who is Speaking. 14.Avoid Fancy Words. 15.Do Not Use Dialect Unless Your Ear Is Good. 16.Be Clear. 17.Do Not Inject Opinion. 18.Use Figures of Speech Sparingly. 19.Do Not Take Shortcuts at the Cost of Clarity. 20.Avoid Foreign Languages. 21.Prefer the Standard to the Offbeat. Afterword. Glossary.

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Book SynopsisAn indispensable and distinctive book that will help anyone who wants to write, write better, or have a clearer understanding of what it means for them to be writing, from widely admired writer and teacher Verlyn Klinkenborg. Klinkenborg believes that most of our received wisdom about how writing works is not only wrong but an obstacle to our ability to write. In Several Short Sentences About Writing, he sets out to help us unlearn that “wisdom”—about genius, about creativity, about writer’s block, topic sentences, and outline—and understand that writing is just as much about thinking, noticing, and learning what it means to be involved in the act of writing. There is no gospel, no orthodoxy, no dogma in this book. Instead it is a gathering of starting points in a journey toward lively, lucid, satisfying self-expression.

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Book SynopsisElegant ideas deserve elegant expression. Sword dispels the myth that you can’t get published without writing wordy, impersonal prose. For scholars frustrated with disciplinary conventions or eager to write for a larger audience, here are imaginative, practical, witty pointers that show how to make articles and books enjoyable to read—and to write.Trade ReviewSword has produced a sleek and, yes, nicely written guide based on the principle that ‘elegant ideas deserve elegant expression.’ Aiming to be useful to writers in almost any discipline, Sword defines stylish academic writing in the broadest terms. -- Jennifer Howard * Times Literary Supplement *[Sword’s] counsel is wise, efficiently written, and infectiously winsome. She advises academic writers to use anecdotes and carefully chosen metaphors, and to write opening sentences that encourage readers to keep reading. She has drawn from a massive array of academic articles (more than a thousand) and given particular attention to authors known for writing readable material… Helen Sword’s book contains much wisdom… Stylish Academic Writing contains superb counsel for academics who want to write with greater clarity and skill. -- Barton Swaim * Weekly Standard *Stylish Academic Writing offers pithy, thoughtful, and concrete guidance on ways to improve writing about scholarly research (or anything else for that matter) so that it is engaging to others… Teachers of writing at the college level will want to read the book so as to help stem the tide of overly formal, dry-as-dust term papers that are still standard fare in many classes. -- Dana S. Dunn * Psychology Today *Helen Sword’s brilliant little volume is in many respects the ideal companion to Stephen J. Pyne’s equally brilliant Voice and Vision: A Guide to Writing History and Other Serious Non-Fiction (Harvard) and equally deserving of a wider audience than its target group, which in this case comprises those academics who either write or have to put up with ‘impersonal, stodgy, jargon-laden, abstract prose.’ As Sword writes: ‘Elegant data and ideas deserve elegant expression.’ Featuring oodles of ideas and tips backed up by lashings of original research and bursting to the seams with case studies exemplifying the good, the bad and the ugly of academic writing (‘via a symbolic interactionist lens’ is one such monster), this is a must for writers in any discipline. -- William Yeoman * West Australian *[A] practical and useful book. -- Colin Steele * Australian Book Review *Surely it’s time to declare war on terms such as postsemioticist, flip-flop gates and feature theory, terms Orwell would surely have included under his definition of obscurity as a cuttlefish defensively spurting out ink. Anyway, let’s hope this excellent new book is a sign that things are about to change. -- Bradley Winterton * Taipei Times *Stylish Academic Writing challenges academics to make their work more consequential by communicating more clearly—and provides helpful hints and models for doing so. This is a well-crafted and valuable contribution that combines substance with style. -- Arne L. Kalleberg, Editor, Social ForcesAs an academic—staff or student—wouldn’t you like people to enjoy reading your work? In Stylish Academic Writing, Helen Sword offers dozens of suggestions as to how you might improve your work, get your argument across in a more appealing manner, and attract more readers. We can all learn something useful from this book, and it won’t involve a lot of effort. -- Malcolm Tight, Editor, Studies in Higher EducationOccasionally the tedium of reading an unending supply of poorly written manuscripts is upended by a cogent, well-written, piece. Helen Sword details why this is so prevalent and offers sage advice to beginning—and even senior—researchers on how to avoid dulling academic prose. I take her advice to heart. I hope to change my numerous bad habits and I dearly wish those submitting manuscripts would read this book. -- Rick K. Wilson, Editor, American Journal of Political ScienceIt’s a weird and complicated experience, picking up a book that covers familiar territory and realizing it’s better than what you might have written. That was the case when I first read Helen Sword’s Stylish Academic Writing. -- Rachel Toor * Chronicle of Higher Education *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"I know of no other handbook that focuses on this particular genre of academic writing in such a thorough and, therefore, useful manner. I am confident that anybody who actively works through this book--it is, indeed, a workbook--will eventually taste the academic publishing success in the book's subtitle."--Praise for the previous edition "Steven E. Gump, Journal of Scholarly Publishing " "Even seasoned academic writers can find something useful in Belcher's book. . . . Offers sound advice, encouragement, and confidence-building strategies that help novice writers create/recreate a written text that could be publishable."--Praise for the previous edition "Chronicle of Higher Education "

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive guide to writing journal articles addresses all the stages and recurring challenges, from targeting a journal to dealing with reviewer feedback. Drawing on many years of running âWriting for Publicationâ workshops, Murray explores not only style and structure but also behaviours and emotions. As a key component of both research courses and careers, this timely text also addresses the struggle to make time for high quality academic writing and how to ensure a writing-life balance.Examining a variety of approaches, relevant to many different academic disciplines, this core text demystifies and defines writing practices and makes this form of high-stakes academic writing seem manageable. Writing for journals has never been more competitive, and writers, researchers, practitioners and students need expert guidance on productive practices and ways of maintaining focus and motivation, which Murray provides. This latest edition is completely updated and morTable of Contents1 Why write for academic journals?2 Targeting a journal3 Finding time to write4 Finding a topic and developing an argument5 Outlining6 Drafting7 Revising the draft8 Dialogue and feedback9 Responding to reviewers’ feedback10 After publicationConclusion

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Book SynopsisIn this bold and exhilarating mix of memoir and writing guide, Melissa Febos tackles the emotional, psychological, and physical work of writing intimately while offering an utterly fresh examination of the storyteller’s life and the challenges it presents.How do we write about the relationships that have formed us? How do we describe our bodies, their desires and traumas? What does it mean to have your writing, or living, dismissed as “navel-gazing”—or else hailed as “so brave, so raw”? And to whom, in the end, do our most intimate stories belong?Drawing on her journey from aspiring writer to acclaimed author and writing professor—via addiction and recovery, sex work and academia—Melissa Febos has created a captivating guide to the writing life, and a brilliantly unusual exploration of subjectivity, privacy, and the power of divulgence. Candid and inspiring, Body Work will empower readers and writers alike, offering ideas—and occasional notes of caution—to anyone who has ever hoped to see their true self reflecting back from the open page.Trade ReviewOne of Glamour Magazine's 'Top 30 books that everyone will be reading in 2022'One of Lit Hub's 'Most Anticipated Books of 2022'One of NPR's 'Books We Love 2022''Melissa Febos declaws shame in this stunning shrine to memoir and the art of confession. A book to thump whenever someone questions your audacity to gaze upon your own navel.'Jenny Valentish, author of Everything Harder Than Everyone Else and Woman of Substances‘Melissa Febos has written one of the most liberating books on the subject of writing that I can think of. A tender, urgent intelligence, a wisdom that is hard-won, and a rigor born from a love for the craft preside. [...] I learned so much reading Body Work that I can’t wait to teach and use on the page.’Alexander Chee, author of How to Write an Autobiographical Novel‘Ferociously smart and piercingly insightful, Body Work is an instant classic of the how-and-why-do-we-write form. With candor and clarity, Melissa Febos explores the complexities of writing courageously and honestly about our lives. It’s a book I’ll return to again and again.’Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild‘Body Work is the most necessary book about memoir I’ve read. Daring, honest, psychologically insightful, and absolutely whip smart. A must read for anybody shoving a pen across paper or staring into a screen or a past.’Mary Karr, author of The Liars' Club and The Art of Memoir'As far as I am concerned any new book by Melissa Febos is an event, such is her power to reconfigure the way you see things. Body Work is no different. In wrestling down the hows and whys of writing the self, the accountability it calls for and the veil-tearing it demands, Febos displays characteristic fearlessness. Best of all is the company of her voice, which manages to be at once tender and searching, urgent and insightful. Reading Body Work, you suspect Febos might just be able to see into your soul.' Marina Benjamin, author of Insomnia'Exhilarating. A book that fuses the art of writing with the politics of being, the body's witnessing. Essential reading for anyone who writes, anyone who reads, anyone who breathes.'Helen Mort, author of Black Car Burning'A deft, fearless assertion of the right and to tell our own stories. Melissa Febos shows us just how necessary this is.' Katherine May, author of Wintering' Febos dedicates this volume to her students, but it will be of interest to all readers, writers and potential writers of personal narrative, as well as anyone interested in the mysterious way the creative spirit moves through an artist brave enough to engage it, and embrace it in return.'Carmel McMahon, The Irish Times 'This is a wonder.'Publishers Weekly 'Sharp insights from a passionate practitioner and champion of memoir.'Kirkus Reviews'Unlike most craft books that are either lacking in practicality and process or personality, this book is the best balance of both. A must for non-fiction writers and essayists.'The Rumpus'Wide-ranging in its theoretical and historical breadth yet intimate in all ways, Febos's book offers the tools readers need to identify, access, process, and articulate hard-won stories of trauma and of love that their flesh holds.'Library Journal'In Body Work, Febos offers a compelling rebuttal of the accusation that a memoir is simply a diary in print.'Oprah Daily 'I read Body Work much as I read her third book, Girlhood: feverishly, drinking up the frankness and nuance with which Febos documents the subtle and secreted pains of living in an unequal world.'Electric Lit 'This book was a liberating and validating experience – one that I did not realise that I needed, and which will embolden my own writing.'Lucy Cathcart Frödén, The Sociological Review -- .Table of Contents1 In Praise of Navel Gazing2 Mind Fuck: Writing Better Sex3 A Big Shitty Party: Six Parables for Writing About Other People4 The Return

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Book Synopsis**From BBC presenter and journalist Ros Atkins, creator of the viral ''Ros Atkins on...'' explainer videos and host of the forthcoming BBC Radio 4 podcast ''Communicating with Ros Atkins''**''A great read for polishing your communication skills'' FORBES''For all those who want their audiences to listen and understand'' JEREMY BOWEN ''Precision, deftness and a calming expertise'' THE TIMES Do you worry about holding people''s attention during presentations?Are you unsure where to start when faced with writing an essay or report?Are you preparing for an interview and wondering how to get all your points across?Explanation - identifying and communicating what we want to say - is an art. And the BBC presenter and journalist Ros Atkins, creator of the viral ''Ros Atkins on...'' explainer videos, is something of a master of the form. In this book, Ros shares the secrets he has le

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Book SynopsisWriting well is for school. Writing effectively is for life. Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink offer the most valuable practical writing advice today. Building on their own research in behavioral science, they outline cognitive facts about how people actually read and distill them into six principles that will transform the power of your writing: Less is more Make reading easy Design for easy navigation Use enough formatting, but no more Tell readers why they should care Make responding easy Including many real-world examples, a checklist and other tools, this guide will make you a more successful and productive communicator. Rogers and Lasky-Fink bring Strunk and White’s core ideas into the twenty-first century’s attention marketplace.   When the influential guides to writing prose were written, the internet hadn’t been invented. Now

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Book SynopsisMaster the Art of Writing Enthralling Tales for the Youngest pre-and emerging readers! Fully updated and thoroughly revised, Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded Edition is the go-to resource for writers crafting stories for children ages two to eight. You'll learn the unique set of skills it takes to bring your story to life by using tightly focused text and leaving room for the illustrator to be creative. Award-winning author Ann Whitford Paul helps you develop the skills you need by walking you through techniques and exercises specifically for picture book writers. You'll find:   • Instruction on generating ideas, creating characters, point-of-view, beginnings and endings, plotting, word count, rhyme, and more   • Unique methods for using poetic techniques to enrich your writing   • Hands-on revision exercises (get out your scissors, tape, and highlighters) to help identify problems and improve your picture book manuscripts   • Updated tips for researching the changing picture book market, approaching publishers, working with an agent, and developing a platform   • All new quizzes and examples from picture books throughout   • New chapters cover issues such as page turns, agents, and self-publishingWhether you're just starting out as a picture book writer or have tried unsuccessfully to get your work published, Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded Edition is just what you need to craft picture books that will appeal to young children and parents, and agents and editors.

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Book SynopsisThis workbook contains the handouts for Carol Gray's DVD presentation Writing Social Stories (DVD 9781932565607). In her intriguing presentation, Carol Gray explains the elements that make Social Stories so successful and teaches you how to tailor the text to an individual's specific needs. The engaging DVD is great for parents, teachers, therapists, or for anyone who cares for someone on the spectrum. This workbook outlines Carol's points and contains the activity sheets that supplement her presentation. With the DVD and these accompanying activities, you will learn: the social perspective of a person with ASD; how to write descriptive, perspective, directive, and affirmative sentences; how to properly implement a Social Story; and, Do's and Don'ts based on real-life examples and more.

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Book SynopsisBigger Results with Less MarketingYou keep being told to do more marketingmore complex, more aggressive, and more expensive marketing. Chasing the latest bright, shiny object is exhausting. Increased efforts keep leading to disappointment. The overwhelm for entrepreneurs, marketers, and business leaders is real. There's a better way.The lean movement has transformed manufacturing and is now revolutionizing marketing. Small, medium, and large businesses are getting bigger and better results with less marketing.In this book, you'll discover:? Why many existing marketing techniques have stopped working and what to do instead.? The exact tools and tactics you need to build a devastatingly effective marketing system.? How to win with a simple, structured, and systemized approach rather than failing with random acts of marketing.? How to pivot from bloated, ineffective, and wasteful marketing activities to ones that compel p

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Book SynopsisThe only guide dedicated solely to developmental editing, now revised and updated with new exercises and a chapter on fiction. Developmental editingtransforming a manuscript into a book that edifies, inspires, and sellsis a special skill, and Scott Norton is one of the best at it. With more than three decades of experience in the field, Norton offers his expert advice on how to approach the task of diagnosing and fixing structural problems with book manuscripts in consultation with authors and publishers. He illustrates these principles through a series of detailed case studies featuring before-and-after tables of contents, samples of edited text, and other materials to make an otherwise invisible process tangible. This revised edition for the first time includes exercises that allow readers to edit sample materials and compare their work with that of an experienced professional as well as a new chapter on the unique challenges of editing fiction. In addition, it features expanded coverage of freelance business arrangements, self-published authors, e-books, content marketing, and more. Whether you are an aspiring or experienced developmental editor or an author who works alongside one, you will benefit from Norton's accessible, collaborative, and realistic approach and guidance. This handbook offers the concrete and essential tools it takes to help books to find their voice and their audience. Table of ContentsPreface Introduction What Developmental Editing Is Whom This Book Is For What This Book Covers How to Use the Exercise Packet Some Ground Rules A Few Notes about Cultural Assumptions 1. Concept: Shaping the Proposal Author Profile: The Veteran Client Profile: The Agent Assignment: The Proposal with Too Many Concepts Locate the Concept Profile the Audience Evaluate Market Potential Bring the Vision into Focus 2. Content: Assessing Potential Author Profile: The First-Timer Client Profile: The Big Trade House Assignment: The Tome with Too Many Subjects Size Up the Author Size Up the Publisher Size Up the DE Create a Content Summary Find the Main Subject Exercises 3. Thesis: Finding the Hook Author Profile: The Coauthors Client Profile: The Small Trade House Assignment: The Study with Too Many Theses Cull Theses from Topics Beware of the Rehash Choose the Main Thesis Create a Working Title Exercises 4. Narrative: Tailoring the Timeline Author Profile: The Historian Client Profile: The Copublisher Assignment: The Sprawling Saga Untangle Timelines from Arguments Find the Main Timelines Brainstorm Timeline Strategies Compose the New Timeline Fine-Tune the Timeline Restore Bits of Argument Exercises 5. Exposition: Deploying the Argument Author Profile: The Theorist Client Profile: The University Press Assignment: The Theory with Too Many Tangents Untangle Arguments from Timelines Find the Main Arguments Brainstorm Argument Strategies Compose the New Argument Fine-Tune the Argument Restore Bits of Timeline Exercises 6. Plan: Drafting a Blueprint Write Up the Plan Compose Chapter Theses Intervene Strategically Exercises 7. Rhythm: Setting the Pace Author Profile: The Sole Authority Client Profile: The Regional House Assignment: The Local History Turned Personal Rearrange the Furniture Draft New Passages Balance Chapter Weights Edit for Pace Exercises 8. Transitions: Filling in the Blanks Author Profile: The Dead Author Client Profile: The Self-Publisher Assignment: The Memoir with Lapses Create Opening Transitions Create Closing Transitions Draw Conclusions Place Those Conclusions Exercises 9. Style: Training the Voice Author Profile: The Journalist Client Profile: The Book Packager Assignment: The Story with Too Many Voices Set the Tone Parse the Rhetoric Master Abstraction Gauge the Ironies Harmonize the Voices 10. Display: Dressing Up the Text Author Profile: The Author-for-Hire Client Profile: The Trade Reference House Assignment: The Guidebook with Poor Signage Consider Subheads Anticipate the E-Version Consider Epigraphs Draft an Art Plan Illustrate Concepts Visualize Data Test-Drive Maps Add Lagniappe 11. Fiction: Weaving the Dream Author Profile: The Friend Client Profile: The Genre Boutique Assignment: The Novel with Genre Dysphoria Vet the Premise Scope Out the Form Position the Narrator Scout the Setting Know the Genre Advance the Plot Render the Characters Sweat the Details Afterword to Publishers Further Reading Acknowledgments Index

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Book SynopsisSuitable for writers, this title includes chapters that offers a writing-related discussion, followed by a five-minute exercise. Five minutes a day spent on an exercise is one of the most effective methods there is to expand your potential and develop self-discipline.Trade Review"'...an excellent guide...packed with information, advice is presented in a straightforward, down to earth, and enthusiastic style...'"Table of ContentsIntroduction; The Exercises; Sources of last lines in Exercise 18.

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Book SynopsisEquip learners to achieve in the Extended Essay. Matched to the first teaching 2025 syllabus, this essential resource provides learners with a step-by-step pathway to maximize achievement. With complete guidance for every aspect of writing and researching, use this resource to strengthen performance.

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Book SynopsisAn in-depth guide to writing high-quality and effective professional ecological reports. Mike Dean distils the knowledge and experience gained over a period of more than 20 years working as an ecological consultant, during which time he has written and reviewed many such reports. There are existing good practice guidelines on ecological report writing, published by CIEEM and co-authored by the author of this book. Writing Effective Ecological Reports goes beyond those guidelines. It provides practical advice on the structure, content and style of ecological reports, using numerous case study examples to help the reader’s understanding. It also tackles topics not covered by the guidelines, such as how to write an effective summary, how to create and use a report template, how to proofread reports, and what those tasked with reviewing reports should be looking for. This book will be invaluable for any professional ecologist, or anyone hoping to become a professional ecologist. It is particularly aimed at those who write ecological reports, such as ecological consultants. However, it also provides practical advice for those tasked with reading and reviewing reports written by others, including those working for local planning authorities or nature conservation consultees. The book has been written to be useful to those with limited experience, such as recent graduates, as well as those with many years of experience as a professional ecologist, and everyone in the middle.Trade ReviewThis is a useful guide particularly for those with limited experience, such as recent graduates, but also for those who write or review ecological reports in their profession, including ecological consultants and individuals working for local planning authorities. * Conservation Land Management *Anyone producing or reviewing reports within the ecology sector, at whatever level, would benefit from reading this book. In short – not ‘preferential’, but ‘essential’ for anyone involved with reports within our sector. -- Neil Middleton, author of The Effective EcologistThe author, undoubtedly a skilled writer with a lucid mind, describes how one can produce quality ecological reports with proper style, structure, and contents…It should be on the bookshelf of every ecologist or anyone who wishes to write effective ecological reports. -- Som B. Ale * The Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of ContentsIntroduction Competence, qualifications and experience Getting the basics right Fact versus opinion Report structure Making a start First impressions and opening lines Getting your facts right So what does all this mean? Keeping it in proportion Tables, figures, photos and appendices Creating and using a template Writing an effective Summary PEA or EcIA – what’s the difference? Writing Environmental Statement chapters Proofreading, technical review and quality assurance Tips for those reviewing reports Dealing with references How long is a report valid for? Useful sources of information

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Book Synopsis'A really good starting point to discover what lights you up' - Emma Gannon 'Unlock your inner creativity and ease your anxiety' Daily Telegraph THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY WORLDWIDE BESTSELLER Since its first publication, The Artist's Way has inspired the genius of Elizabeth Gilbert, Tim Ferriss, Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington and millions of readers to embark on a creative journey and find a deeper connection to process and purpose. Julia Cameron guides readers in uncovering problems and pressure points that may be restricting their creative flow and offers techniques to open up opportunities for growth and self-discovery. A revolutionary programme for personal renewal, The Artist's Way will help get you back on track, rediscover your passions, and take the steps you need to change your life. 'Each time I've learned something important and surprising about myself and my work ... Without The Artist's Way, there would have been no Eat, Pray, Love' - Elizabeth GilbertTrade ReviewThe queen of change * New York Times *I absolutely love this book ... It's a really good starting point to discover what lights you up -- Emma GannonIt's a great tool for any type of creative person. I've given away so many copies -- Tayari JonesMorning pages has become a household name, a shorthand for unlocking your creative potential * Vogue *It's a big dog book ... [morning pages] gets all the gunk out of my head so that I can just start afresh and focus on whatever is in front of me -- Michaela ColeI talk about this book all the time - I use quotes from it when I interview people, I use techniques from it to improve how I work, I'm pretty obsessed with the book, I've read it twice, it's amazing -- Fearne CottonJulia Cameron is the queen of morning routines [and] has been unlocking our inner creative spirits for more than two decades. Everyone is doing The Artist's Way ... it'll make you more creative * The Cut *Fascinating (and fun) ... Three times in the last decade I've committed to doing The Artist's Way's program, and each time I've learned something important and surprising about myself and my work ... Without The Artist's Way, there would have been no Eat, Pray, Love -- Elizabeth GilbertIf you have always wanted to pursue a creative dream, have always wanted to play and create with words or paints, this book will gently get you started -- Anne LamottUnlock your inner creativity and ease your anxiety * Daily Telegraph *I found my way to writing to an artist workbook called The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron ... Being introduced to that book, over 20 years ago, really changed my life. I still do [the morning pages] every day; it gets everything out - right at the top of the day. All the anxiety, all the fear, all the mess - it comes out and then it cracks open and leads you to wherever it is that you're supposed to be inside your creativity. I never wrote until I started The Artist's Way, so I would say: Start there -- Billy PorterSo inspiring -- Reese WitherspoonI picked this book up for the first time when I was twenty-one years old. It completely changed my life. I did it again ten years ago and the impact was again life-altering. Something in my soul was stirring me to come back to it. So ... here we go ... I'm excited to meet myself on this path again -- Kerry WashingtonIt's for any blocked artist ... a year into making the album, I had all this incredible material, it was flowing but then it stopped. Going to the studio was too much pressure. I read a book called The Artist's Way [and] that's how I got back to writing. -- J.ColeThis is a book that addresses a delicate and complex subject. For those who will use it, it is a valuable tool to get in touch with their own creativity -- Martin ScorseseIf you'd like to learn more about getting into the creative mode, I highly recommend The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron -- John CleeseCameron wants you to have a serious think about what you really want from your life * The Times *Julia Cameron invented the way people renovate the creative soul * New York Times *Cameron is simply encouraging her readers to be a bit more open, more patient, and kinder to themselves * New Yorker *This book has been revolutionary in my creative life. It's a must-read for every artist -- Ito AghayereA classic that never loses its power -- Amanda de CadenetUnleashing our creative potential is the key to a more meaningful life * Psychologies *The Artist's Way is great ... the moment I did that, that's when [the music] started to flow -- Ed O'BrienThe book that made a real impact on me is The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. My friend [actress and comedian] Sophie Willan recommended it to me years ago, and I still have it on my desk. It enables anyone to tap into their creative self regardless of themselves - we often get in our own way when trying to achieve. Want to write that novel? That play? This is the book. -- Lemn SissayThe Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is my favourite book -- Precious Lee * Vogue *Cameron's morning pages have shaped the lives of millions of others -- Elle Hunt * The Guardian *I've must have read thousands of books, but the one that changed my life is without a doubt The Artist's Way. I am constantly recommending it to my friends and to anyone who is going through a tough time or feels creatively blocked. I have learned so much about myself and what blocks me in my creativity, and even in my daily life, by reading this book. The Artist's Way helped me recover my sense of identity, and gave me a sense of the possibility of what I could achieve for myself ... for me it was a lifesaver -- Patricia Gibney, author of Silent Voices * The Irish Independent *Everything creative I've done has led from the freedom this book gave me. After I read The Artist's Way, I wrote a comedy show and took it to Edinburgh ... this book truly changed the path my life was taking [and] I still go back to it when I feel stuck -- Cariad Lloyd, host of Griefcast and author of You Are Not AloneAbsolutely incredible -- Naomie Harris OBEIf there's a key takeaway from Julia Cameron's cult book The Artist's Way, it's morning pages: the daily practice of three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing done first thing in the morning. Many writers and artists swear by them. * AnOther Magazine *

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Book SynopsisWhether you are a beginner or an accomplished professional, whether your field is fiction, nonfiction or journalism, Sol Stein's Solutions for Writers is an indispensable guide to enhancing your work. In Stein's own words, 'This is not a book of theory': just practical, immediately useful solutions to help with every type of writing problem. From shaping an opening sentence that hooks the reader to the secret of successful revision, deft character development to pumping up pacing, Solutions for Writers contains a wealth of wisdom from one of publishing's most storied editors. Packed with ideas, examples of techniques in practice, and advice that shines a new light on craft, Sol Stein's writing guide is a timeless classic - a book for writers to mark up, dog-ear, and cherish.Trade ReviewThis book can jump-start anyone's creativity. Highly recommended for all writing collections * Library Journal *The best book on writing that I have read ... cannot fail to help every writer, no matter at what stage he finds himself -- Barnaby Conrad, New York Times bestselling author of MatadorOffers a banquet of savvy advice * Publishers Weekly *With Stein's assistance, you can grab your reader on page one and not let go until "The End"... [Stein] offers "usable solutions" for any writing problem you might encounter ... he challenges you to write the sentence you want the world to remember you by -- Jane Steinberg

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Book SynopsisDo you ever wish you could find more time to write? Do you ever feel frustrated that other things get in the way? Perhaps you're stuck at the start, mired in the middle or just can't get back into the writing groove? Writing is important to many of us - for our careers, studies, businesses or creative fulfilment - but sitting down and doing it can feel impossible. We often struggle to give it the attention it deserves. We can't find time. Our focus is torn. Distractions are everywhere. Our inner critic keeps telling us we're no good. But what if you could find a highly effective writing habit that was perfect for you? Bec Evans and Chris Smith have helped thousands of people stop procrastinating, overcome their blocks and reach their writing goals. Now, they've turned their successful approach into this life-changing book that anyone can use to write more productively and with less stress. Packed full of tried and tested advice, stories you can relate to and the latest research from psychology and neuroscience, Written gives you the tools you need to start writing, keep going - and finish. AUTHORS: Bec Evans and Chris Smith are the co-founders of Prolifiko, a coaching business that helps people build productive writing habits. They met while working together in a bookshop more than 20 years ago and have spent a lifetime writing and working with other writers. Prior to Prolifiko, Bec worked in publishing, led teams of writers and managed a writing centre for Arvon. She's also the award-winning author of How to Have a Happy Hustle. Chris has a background as a ghostwriter and content consultant to global business brands, charities and the public sector. He worked as an agency director before setting up his own communications consultancy and has written for national newspapers and magazines. He is also an award-winning comedy scriptwriter. The authors live in Yorkshire with their dog, Peggy.Trade ReviewThis book collects some of the best advice I've ever encountered for constructing a writing habit that actually works. * Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks *This is a fascinating and extremely useful book. I recommend it! * David Quantick, novelist and Emmy Award-winning scriptwriter of Veep, The Thick of It and Avenue 5 *An invaluable guidebook for writers at all stages. Evans and Smith understand that process is deeply personal, and they provide a wealth of wise, compassionate advice for breaking unhelpful patterns and creating a flexible, realistic plan for sustainable long-term productivity. * Mason Currey, author of Daily Rituals: How Artists Work *This well-written book on writing well is enormously valuable for anyone wishing to write productively. If you're a writer, first be a reader of this book. * Robert Cialdini, author of Influence and Pre-Suasion *A fun to read and highly informative guide to overcome the most difficult obstacles in writing. * Gabriele Oettingen, author of Rethinking Positive Thinking *What a lovely, friendly book. Made me feel cheerful, buoyant, less alone and keen to get on with my writing. Highly recommended. * Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of Write It All Down *Written lays out the challenges that almost every writer faces and provides real-world antidotes to many of the myths and stories we believe about ourselves and why we can't seem to get our projects finished. This book will help you structure your writing life and how you approach the craft of writing. * Rennie Saunders, founder and CEO of ShutUp&Write! *Two things that I love about this book. First, Bec and Chris don't assume that what works for one famous writer will work for you. Their emphasis is on discovering the best way for each writer to get their writing done. And secondly, this isn't just based on hunches - but on extensive study of how writers write. Highly recommended. * Nigel Warburton, author of A Little History of Philosophy *There's nothing scarier in my work than a blank page, yet nothing more satisfying and exciting than finishing and launching a book. Written holds your hand throughout that entire process. Bec and Chris keep things practical, with an admirable focus on the habit-changes needed to get your words "out there". If you want to go from "writing" to "written", then you need this book. * Graham Allcott, founder of Think Productive and author of How to be a Productivity Ninja *This isn't just another productivity book. Most writers have lots of those, but none of them speak to the real causes of why getting on with writing is so hard to do. Written is different: it's rooted not just in the authors' own experience but also in that of the thousands of writers they've worked with over the years. Whatever you write, whatever you struggle with, you'll find real-world solutions here. Warm, wise and practical, it deserves pride of place on your bookshelf. * Alison Jones, host of The Extraordinary Business Book Club podcast and author of Exploratory Writing *Engaging and authoritative - full of tried-and-tested advice for all writers, wherever they are in their writing careers. * Debbie Taylor, founder and editor of Mslexia *Bec and Chris' course on combatting procrastination is one of our most popular Reedsy Learning courses, so I'm delighted to see they've turned their practical and inspirational advice for writers into a book - it works. * Ricardo Fayet, co-founder of Reedsy *I've been looking through my library of self-help books for writers and there's nothing quite like this book out there. To me, it seems that it might mean the difference between a half-written manuscript abandoned in a drawer and a finished book on the shelf. I know so many writers who will benefit from it - me included. * Wyl Menmuir, Booker-nominated novelist, writing tutor and author of The Draw of the Sea *This book is an indispensable companion for anyone struggling to start and build a writing habit (most of us!). The writers' journey is a lot less lonely and much more doable with Bec and Chris by your side. We'll be sharing this one widely with our writing community for years to come. There's no magic potion to becoming a writer, but this book comes close. Pick it up to get started - then put it down and get to work. * Matthew Trinetti, co-founder of London Writers' Salon *Refreshingly human and immensely useful. It's so freeing to know there's not just one right way to write! I love the breadth and depth of this book - the curated insights into seasoned writers' heads and processes combined with the super practical tips and exercises on what to actually do next. This deserves to be a well-thumbed handbook on every writer's shelf. * Grace Marshall, author of Struggle and How to be Really Productive *Bec and Chris really helped me on my way to publication. Their insights and encyclopaedic knowledge about creative productivity gave me inspiration, support and practical tools to persevere and establish a more mindful writing practice. I'm excited about their book, as it will help so many writers. * Louise Bassett, author of The Hidden Girl *An invaluable guide to those looking to find new ways to approach their own academic writing and to help others. * London School of Economics Book Review *A refreshingly honest approach to writing- the authors' upbeat tone will cheer on readers. Writing pros and amateurs alike will be eager to start typing. * Publishers Weekly *The beauty of this book is that it guides you into finding the best writing process for you. * Forbes *This book is wise, sympathetic, encouraging and incredibly helpful. It will be a game-changer for so many writers. * Sophie Hannah, bestselling writer *An empowering guide to creating a writing habit that lasts. And a must-read for anyone fascinated by the psychology of performance and mastery. * Tanya Shadrick, author of The Cure for Sleep *The compassion for writers and our strangeness just bubbles off the page. * Leonie Ross, novelist, short story writer, teacher and editor *This is an indispensable addition to the creative bookshelf. It delves deep into blocks, miss-steps and confidence issues, and offers practical and effective coaching. I'll be recommending this to all my students. * Julia Bell *This 'how to' book is a joy and inspiration. Their advice is really friendly and encouraging, and draws on lots of writers' experiences of what works - and crucially - what doesn't work. There's no 'one size fits all' approach either. I'm a fan. * Katrina Naomi, Poet *Editor's Choice - Unsettling our tendencies to fall into fixed patterns of thinking of how we should write, the pair offer a variety of methods taken from the working lives of writers to shift us from unhelpful mindsets and empower us to find what might work. * The Bookseller *

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Book Synopsis'I always keep a copy of Art & Fear on my bookshelf' JAMES CLEAR, author of the #1 best-seller Atomic Habits 'A timeless cult classic ... I've stolen tons of inspiration from this book over the years and so will you' AUSTIN KLEON, NYTimes bestselling author of Steal Like an Artist Art & Fear is about the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. Drawing on the authors' own experiences as two working artists, the book delves into the internal and external challenges to making art in the real world, and shows how they can be overcome every day. First published in 1994, Art & Fear quickly became an underground classic, and word-of-mouth has placed it among the best-selling books on artmaking and creativity. Written by artists for artists, it offers generous and wise insight into what it feels like to sit down at your easel or keyboard, in your studio or performance space, trying to do the work you need to do. Every artist, whether a beginner or a prizewinner, a student or a teacher, faces the same fears - and this book illuminates the way through them.Trade ReviewFilled with reminders and insights that every artist and creator needs to hear. I always keep a copy of Art & Fear on my bookshelf. -- james Clear, author of the #1 bestseller * Atomic Habits *Artists confront their deeper fears daily. It's inevitable in artmaking. This book is a crucial tool in validating, soothing, and navigating the fear that might otherwise stop an artist from making their work. Fear is unavoidable but it need not dictate the artist's choices. This book is a vital companion. -- Beth Pickens, author * Make Your Art No Matter What *An essential text for anyone who wants to start making art and not stop. One of those rare books - like The Artist's Way and Writing Down the Bones - to keep close by for courage and company. -- Tanya Shadrick, author * The Cure for Sleep *It has earned its reputation for being a useful, underground classic ... it's a pithy, though comforting read, written by artists, and gets straight down to what can hinder our development as artists, and why ... refreshingly absent of psycho-babble or opaque art-speak -- The London GroupOne of those books you want to tell everyone you know to read * LiveAboutDotCom *A book that artists continue to recommend and connect with ... It's concise, clear, compelling and worth coming back to over and over -- Artwork ArchiveA roadmap for overcoming the everyday obstacles of a creative life * Skillshare *

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Book SynopsisDiscover insightful guidance, tools and techniques to become a skilled writer and learn how to share your work with the world.How do you sustain your ideas and overcome self-doubt in your talents? How do you transmit your ideas so that the world will take notice? What techniques can you use to create discipline and make your writing sessions a joy?We live in exciting times: anyone with an idea can reach a worldwide audience, but how do you separate yourself from the thousands competing to be heard? This is a warm, comforting guide to stepping into your new life as an empowered author. You'll learn how to generate more ideas, build confidence in your writing and take your manuscript to completion.Studies have shown it takes just 21 days to establish a new habit. If there's a skill you've always wanted to take advantage of, the answer is only a few weeks away with Hay House’s 21 Days series.

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Book SynopsisHave you ever wanted to write a novel or short story but didn''t know where to start? If so, this is the book for you. It''s the book for anyone, in fact, who wants to write to their full potential. Practical and jargon-free, rejecting prescriptive templates and formulae, it''s a storehouse of ideas and advice on a range of relevant subjects, from boosting self-motivation and confidence to approaching agents and publishers. Drawing on the authors'' extensive experience as successful writers and inspiring teachers, it will guide you through such essentials as the interplay of memory and imagination; plotting your story; the creation of convincing characters; the uses of description; the pleasures and pitfalls of research; and the editing process. The book''s primary aim is simple: to help its readers to become better writers.Trade Review'I can't imagine there are any better books on the subject than this one.' Louis de Bernières'Reading The Book You Need… is like getting useful advice from your own personal mentor, one who is wise, experienced, encouraging, and delighted to share their encyclopedic knowledge of literary craft. For anyone who wants to be a better writer - listen carefully. The authors know what they're talking about.' Tara Ison, novelist; Professor of Fiction, Arizona State University'Whether you are a beginner or an advanced fiction writer, this book is an essential companion. From getting started to navigating the publishing industry and all that falls between, The Book You Need… examines the key concepts necessary to write your own novel with practical, insightful and expert advice.' Tiffany Atkinson, poet; Professor of Poetry, University of East Anglia'Years of teaching expertise condensed into one of the most comprehensive journeys through the craft that I've seen. This book teaches in the most natural way, guiding you under the surface of a wide range of good writing, deep into the practical processes that bring it to life.' Philip Gross, poet, winner of the T. S. Eliot Prize; Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing, University of South Wales'A terrific guide to becoming a better writer and embarking upon a publishing career. Burton and Poster have created a masterclass in print - comprehensive, authentic, clear, and insightful. A pleasure to read and to learn from, this handbook is a must-have for anyone who loves and practices the writing craft.' Jewell Parker Rhodes, New York Times bestselling author, Founding Artistic Director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, Arizona State University'This is a fresh, insightful, engaging and enjoyable guide to writing creative prose. If you want to become a novelist or short story writer, reading this book is a great first step.' Francesca Rhydderch, novelist; Associate Professor in Creative Writing, Swansea University'For any novelist, published or aspiring, this smart and concise book will become a true and trusted mentor and friend.' A. J. West'The best art of fiction book I've read in a long time, structured around close readings of novel extracts and offering lots of very wise, sound advice. Highly readable and never prescriptive, it's a book to be enjoyed and savoured. I love the chapter on beginnings and endings and the extremely useful one on research. This IS the book you need to become a better writer.' Priscilla Morris, author of Black Butterflies'Really excellent, full of the kind of insight that's missing from the majority of how-to-write books.' Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure and The Bone HuntersTable of Contents1. Getting started; 2. Memory and imagination; 3. Character; 4. Plot and structure I; 5. Plot and structure II; 6. Form and length; 7. Dialogue; 8. Narrative viewpoint and narrative voice; 9. Beginnings and endings; tension and pace; 10. Description; 11. Research; 12. Drawing it all together; 13. Publication and the writing life.

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Book SynopsisAre you wishing you knew all you need to know about how to better communicate science, without having to read several hundred academic papers and blogs and books? Luckily Dr Craig Cormick has done this for you! This highly readable and entertaining book captures the breadth of research into best practice science communications and has distilled it into accessible chapters that take you through both the how and the why of science communication, supported with case studies and examples. Dr Craig Cormick has been a science communicator for over 25 years, working with organisations such as CSIRO, Questacon and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. He has been widely published on science communication issues in key journals and the popular media, including ABC Radio National's The Science Show, the Conversation, and has twice appeared in Best Australian Science Writing. He is a popular speaker on science communication issues at conferences in Australia and overseas. In 2013 he was awarded the Unsung Hero of Science Communication by the Australian Science Communicators (ASC) and is currently the President of the ASC. He has published over 25 books, including having edited the award-winning book published with CSIRO Publications, Ned Kelly Under the Microscope (2014), and his writing awards include a Queensland Premier's Literary Award (2006), The ACT Book of the Year Award (1999), the Tasmanian Writers Prize (2016) and an ACT Writing and Publishing Award (2015).Table of Contents1: THE GROUND RULES 1: What makes good science communication? (in fewer than 280 characters) 2: Why we need to communicate science better 3: Burying the deficit model 4: Objective! Your honour! 5: What do the public really think about science? 6: There is no one public: Making sense of segmentation 2: COMMUNICATION TOOLS 7: Messages and metaphors 8: Once upon a time: Storytelling 9: Trust me, I’m a scientist 10: Media matters 11: Being a social media superstar 12: I’ve been framed! The art of framing 13: Who’s afraid of public speaking? 14: Getting engaged 15: P-values: Policy and politics 16: Evaluation: Metrics, damn metrics and statistics 3: WHEN THINGS GET HARD 17: I’m a believer! Understanding different beliefs 18: The risky business of communicating risk 19: Valuing values 20: Can you really change behaviours? 21: Communicating controversies: The good, the bad and the ugly 4: SCIENCE COMMUNICATION ISSUES 22: Debunking bunkum 23: Fantastic ethics and where to find them 24: Why we don’t actually know what we think we know 25: Last words: Sermon on the Endnote

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Book SynopsisTHE ESSENTIAL RESOURCE FOR SELLING YOUR BOOK   If you want to publish a book, you must present it to agents and publishers with a knock-your-socks-off proposal. Whether you're seeking a traditional press to publish your self-published book or trying to win over an agent for your graphic novel, memoir, or nonfiction title, you need an irresistible proposal. The better your proposal, the better the editor, publisher, and deal you will get. Nailing your proposal requires an understanding of how publishers work and how to brand yourself, build a platform, and structure your book. You'll learn it all in this breezy top-to-bottom revision of the classic 100,000-copy best-seller. Inside How to Write a Book Proposal 5th Edition, you will find:   • Examples of successful proposals that earned six-figure deals   • Guidance from agents, publishers, and writers   • Ways to customize your proposal   • Strategies for proposals in the Digital Age   • Effective structures for narrative writers   • A list of the 'Top Ten Proposal Killers' This sassy, thorough guide from industry professionals Jody Rein and Michael Larsen will become your go-to for advice about publishing.

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Book SynopsisAcademic Writing Now: A Brief Guide for Busy Students is a rhetoric designed to cover the basics of a college writing course in a concise, student-friendly format. Anything inessential to the business of college writing has been excluded. Each chapter concentrates on a crucial element of composing an academic essay and is capable of being read in a single sitting. The book is loaded with "timesaver tips," ideas for making the most of the student's time, along with occasional warnings to avoid common errors made by student writers. Each short chapter concludes with questions and suggestions designed to trigger class discussion.The second edition has been updated throughout, with special attention to making the book even better suited to accelerated and co-requisite composition courses.Trade ReviewDavid Starkey delivers clear, ordered advice in a voice so familiar and colloquial that anyone's anxiety about this often rigid, academic subject will start to calm. He moves seamlessly between examples ranging from everyday experience to the highest levels of great writing, and what I like best is that underneath it all he encourages students to keep creativity and poetic insight alive even as they tackle the challenge of writing rigorous, scholarly papers." - Richard Guzman, North Central CollegeTable of Contents Preface for Instructors: Busy, Busy, Busy Introduction for Students: Strategies for Succeeding as a College Writer Part One: Ready, Set ... Chapter 1: Academic Writing: An Overview Chapter 2: Academic Reading Chapter 3: Ideas into Text Chapter 4: Arguments and Organization Chapter 5: Researching Your Topic Part Two: Go Chapter 6: Introduction: Hooking Your Reader Chapter 7: Body Paragraphs: And I Ought to Keep Reading Because? Chapter 8: Conclusion: Wait ... Don't Stop Part Three: Go Again Chapter 9: Taking Another Look Chapter 10: Handing It Over Appendix I: Genres of Academic Writing Appendix II: A Brief Guide to Documentation Index

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