Riveting Reports (The Effective Writing Series)

Rating:
Summary: A great illustration of prewriting and writing
Review: Although some people are truly gifted when it comes to writing, the rest of us can learn different tricks and tips to help us over the initial panic and turmoil that comes with getting a writing assignment at work or school. If you are one of the rest of us, then I highly recommend adding this book to your reference shelf. Keep it within arm's reach at all times!

Bruce Ross-Larson, of the American Writing Institute, takes the readers from the planning stages where the writer must decide who the paper is written for and what must be said, to developing a thesis and outline, to fleshing out the paragraphs, and finally to revision. Through all of these steps, he provides plenty of examples to show the way.

One of best parts of the book is the final example in which he shows the readers how to take a paper from beginning to end. This is very helpful.

I would highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Helpful little guide
Review: Riveting Reports guides a writer through the entire planning process -- developing your main and supporting messages, using them to structure a section outline, hammering out a paragraph by paragraph plan, gathering and converting raw material into coherent paragraphs, and so on. The process goes well beyond the usual half-baked outline, and always focuses on producing the intended effect on the target audience. This slim and inexpensive volume is packed with good ideas and examples.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, but.....
Review: This is an excellent resource for a new writer. In addition, it is helpful for writing business and academic reports. It led me to purchase other parts of the series. Now, to the but...
It seems that Mr. Larson has a book called Effective Writing that includes most of the series. I would have preferred to buy 1 book than 2 or 3. I didn't know there was a book with the whole series until I searched for an old book of his "Edit Yourself" (also excellent) at my local library. Well, live and learn....