Effective Writing

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Overview

Whether it's a Web page on the Internet or a chapter in an annual budget report, readers today have less time to spend wading through text-they want the writing they read to be articulate and to the point. Effective Writing will help writers at any level of proficiency produce clear, concise writing structured around the messages they want to convey to their audience, and supported with strong, well-developed paragraphs and sentences. Written in plain language and a relaxed style, this book is easily adaptable to...
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More About This Book

Overview

Whether it's a Web page on the Internet or a chapter in an annual budget report, readers today have less time to spend wading through text-they want the writing they read to be articulate and to the point. Effective Writing will help writers at any level of proficiency produce clear, concise writing structured around the messages they want to convey to their audience, and supported with strong, well-developed paragraphs and sentences. Written in plain language and a relaxed style, this book is easily adaptable to a wide variety of writing styles and tasks, and will be helpful at any stage of the process: conceptualization, writing, or editing.
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Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
Ross-Larson, founder of the American Writing Institute, here offers a three-part course in "effective writing." He starts with the basics in Stunning Sentences, which uses model sentences to illustrate different approaches, including Dramatic Flourishes, Credible Quotations, and Stark Attachments. He moves up to the next level with Powerful Paragraphs, which tells writers how to make strong points and to link their paragraphs together to make smooth and highly readable transitions. Many model paragraphs show readers how to use the techniques described. Finally, the reader is ready to write Riveting Reports. This book tells how to develop a theme, put together an outline, gather material, write drafts, and do a final edit. Instead of the time- honored note cards, Ross-Larson has writers taping sheets of paper to the walls to get a full view, very likely the best way to write and edit reports with word processors. These three books have good solid information for writers and would be especially useful for high school students. [These three titles are also available from Norton in a single hardcover called Effective Writing, ISBN 0-393-04639-7. $29.95.]--Lisa J. Cihlar, Monroe P.L., WI Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780393046397
  • Publisher: Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
  • Publication date: 1/1/1994
  • Series: The Effective Writing Series
  • Edition description: 1 ED
  • Pages: 268
  • Sales rank: 416,122
  • Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 8.50 (h) x 0.75 (d)

Meet the Author

Bruce Ross-Larson lives in Washington, D.C.
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Table of Contents

Author's note 13
Acknowledgments 15
Pt. 1 Stunning Sentences 17
An Approach to Sentences 23
1 Common Forms 27
2 Occasional Short Forms 32
3 Dramatic Flourishes 36
4 Elegant Repetitions 46
5 Credible Quotations 51
6 Conversational Injections 55
7 Stark Attachments 60
8 Deft Connections 64
9 One-Syllable Openings 73
Exemplary Sentences 77
Sources 87
Pt. 2 Powerful Paragraphs 101
An Approach to Paragraphs 107
1 Unify Your Paragraphs Around Strong Points 114
2 Make Your Points in Compelling Ways 130
3 Link Your Paragraphs 156
Exemplary Paragraphs 174
Sources 189
Pt. 3 Riveting Reports 199
An Approach to Planning and Drafting 203
1 Figure Out What You're Writing and For Whom 208
2 Spell Out Your Main and Supporting Messages 218
3 Use Your Supporting Messages to Develop an Outline 225
4 Decide How Long Each Section Will Be 229
5 Create a Paragraph-by-Paragraph Plan 232
6 Make a Strong Point About Each of Your Paragraph Topics 234
7 Gather Your Details, Examples, and Comments 237
8 Convert Your Raw Material into Draft Paragraphs 239
9 Tape Your Draft on a Wall to Apply the Finishing Touches 244
Exemplary Reports: From Start to Finish 248
Exemplary Reports: From Plan to Draft 256
Sources 267
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