Keys to Great Writing

Rating:
Summary: Indispensible and User-Friendly
Review: A writing class in a book? That's what this is. Keys To Great Writing is as helpful as a first rate creative writing course, and well it should be. Award-winning writer Stephen Wilburs is an adjunct professor, writing consultant, author, and syndicated columnist. He knows and produces good writing. The book is a super resource for those who write for themselves, and a necessity for professionals.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, for new and experienced writers
Review: I read this book as part of a writing workshop. What immediately struck me was the clarity of his examples, and the clever way he used his own examples (good and bad) throughout his explanatory sections. So, pay attention when you read, and you'll see and feel exactly what he means. The book itself starts out with the "basics". But, rather than explain punctuation and what complex-compound sentences look like, the author puts everything in broader terms, explaining why great writers write they way they do. So, we learn about economy of words, the music of the language, how to raise interest with action, points of view, and the like. You will definitely learn mechanics and grammar, but in a way that will make it obvious why we have these rules. You'll also see why we sometimes break the rules. The second section goes further with organizing your work, and using supporting text to develop your scenes and characters. We see how to make everything believable. Finally, we spend some time looking at drafts, rewriting, and "the writing process." If you are a new writer, you will learn more here than you can grasp in one reading; if you are an experienced writer, the book will inspire you to hone your craft even further.

Rating:
Summary: Provides needed context for grammar and style issues!
Review: I've always found grammar as boring as watching the snow in our driveway melt. It always went in one ear and out the other. Complex sentences, compound-complex sentences, participial phrases, subordinate... ah, never mind. Who cares? Those are all just dry terms. They don't really mean anything, do they?

Well, yes, they do. They key is context, and Mr. Wilbers provides that in abundance. It isn't the rules he drills into us--it's the effect they have on your writing! What does punctuation do to the rhythm of your words? What does it do for meaning and clarity? How does each punctuation mark influence the way a reader reads your work?

He does the same for sentence types. How can you use your choice of sentence structure to emphasize your point? Which sort of phrase allows you to end a sentence with style and flourish? Which sentence type can create a feeling of expectancy or an engaging opening? In other words, how can you use the full range of techniques at your disposal to make your point clearly, succinctly, and persuasively?

Not sure how to write a persuasive essay? Don't know how to alter your essay for a sympathetic or unsympathetic audience? You'll find very practical instructions in here for nearly every aspect of the writing process, from planning to content to revision.

This book is aimed primarily at non-fiction writers; many of its tips apply to everything from persuasive essays to business writing. However, Wilbers does explain his tips in relation to narrative writing as well. No matter the type of writing you do, this book will improve your style.

Rating:
Summary: A highly recommended course in one volume
Review: In Keys To Great Writing, Stephen Wilbers covers every aspect of the craft of writing and shows the aspiring author how to develop a writer's "voice" that is unique, precise, and effective with their readership. Wilbers covers every aspect of writing from grammar to revision strategies, offering clear, effective information. Of special value to the novice writer are his: Four Mythos of Great Writing; The Elements of Style Checklist; The Elements of Composition Checklist; The Four-Step Writing Process; Glossary of Grammatical Terms; Proofreading Checklist; Four Common Errors in Word choice; Five Ways To Bring Music to Your Writing; and Fourteen Techniques to Eliminate Wordiness. Keys To Great Writing is a complete and highly recommended course in one volume and a valuable reference guide enabling writers to stand out with a distinctive style and literary presence all their own.

Rating:
Summary: A highly recommended course in one volume
Review: In Keys To Great Writing, Stephen Wilbers covers every aspect of the craft of writing and shows the aspiring author how to develop a writer's "voice" that is unique, precise, and effective with their readership. Wilbers covers every aspect of writing from grammar to revision strategies, offering clear, effective information. Of special value to the novice writer are his: Four Mythos of Great Writing; The Elements of Style Checklist; The Elements of Composition Checklist; The Four-Step Writing Process; Glossary of Grammatical Terms; Proofreading Checklist; Four Common Errors in Word choice; Five Ways To Bring Music to Your Writing; and Fourteen Techniques to Eliminate Wordiness. Keys To Great Writing is a complete and highly recommended course in one volume and a valuable reference guide enabling writers to stand out with a distinctive style and literary presence all their own.

Rating:
Summary: An expanded Elements of Style
Review: The author expands on all those short items you may have read in Strunk & White's Elements of Style, with detailed explanations and numerous examples. I especially enjoyed reading about the writing process which included developing good writing habits and time management. It's one of those books you need to bring down off the shelf and re-read every once in a while.

Rating:
Summary: An expanded Elements of Style
Review: The author expands on all those short items you may have read in Strunk & White's Elements of Style, with detailed explanations and numerous examples. I especially enjoyed reading about the writing process which included developing good writing habits and time management. It's one of those books you need to bring down off the shelf and re-read every once in a while.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST for everyone who wants to improve style
Review: The author provides instant techniques and clever examples such as the emphatic effect of having a short and snappy sentence after a long one. Like this.

The "cleverest" book I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding, practical work
Review: The other reviewers have done justice to the usefulness of this book. In the nature of my profession, I have had to read a good many books on effective writing, and this ranks among the best.

The strongest point about this book is that it breaks down general advice on what to do into practical steps on how to do it. In the very first chapter, for example, the exhortation to "Make every word count," is supported by fourteen techniques to eliminate wordiness.

Good job, Mr Wilbers!