I used this book as a student in a technical writing class. The book was EXCELLENT, and served all levels of writers well. It starts with general good writing practices -- outlining, avoiding jargon, writing clearly (especially using proper grammar), being accurate, using parallel construction, writing for mixed audiences, using appropriate style and tone, and using good document design (both logical and format-wise). It moves through intermediate topics -- how to use line drawings and other graphics, writing various types of descriptions (chronological, spatial, and so forth), when to use the various types of definitions, and formatting numbers, measurements, and lists. This continues through advanced concepts -- writing instructions, writing for the web, writing in a group, formal report writing, and giving presentations and oral reports.
Some of the stongest points in this book (besides the no-nonsense writing itself) are:
* "models" (examples of writing) at the end of each chapter,
* "Advice From the Workplace" (excellent articles about workplace writing),
* Appendix A (grammar, puntuation, and mechanics -- including numbers and abbreviations),
* and Appendix B (frequently confused words).
Excellent examples are also part of the text throughout the book.
Sadly, many college students today do *not* have English skills that should be *required* to graduate high school! It's partly due to the large number of non-native English speakers attending college, but mostly it's just poor schooling. This book *does* provide the tools to help college students (who would probably *not pass* a standardized test) to improve their English as well as their writing, if they were given a free pass out of high school. It is up to the *professor* to see that grammar skills are being improved. Sadly, that was not the case in my class -- not at all.
Diana Reep has done all she can to serve both non-native speakers and advanced writers alike. Please, professors, if you buy a book like this, don't waste it by ignoring your students' shorcomings with the English language!
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Excellent book! (not your typical half-baked Thompson/Pearson offering)
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