Getting the Words Right,9780898794205

Getting the Words Right

by
Edition: Reprint
ISBN13: 9780898794205
ISBN10: 089879420X
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 1990-07-01
Publisher(s): Writers Digest Books
List Price: $14.99

Rent Book

Select for Price
Add to Cart
There was a problem. Please try again later.

New Book

We're Sorry
Sold Out

Used Book

We're Sorry
Sold Out

eBook

We're Sorry
Not Available

Buy from our Marketplace starting at $1.09

How Marketplace Works:

  • This item is offered by an independent seller and not shipped from our warehouse
  • Item details like edition and cover design may differ from our description; see seller's comments before ordering.
  • Sellers much confirm and ship within two business days; otherwise, the order will be cancelled and refunded.
  • Marketplace purchases cannot be returned to eCampus.com. Contact the seller directly for inquiries; if no response within two days, contact customer service.
  • Additional shipping costs apply to Marketplace purchases. Review shipping costs at checkout.

Summary

Theodore Cheney shows readers how to improve everything they write--from a novel to a formal report to a love letter--by putting into practice his three basic revision techniques: reduction, rearranging, and rewording. Find out how to be clear, concise, and careful with your words to revise your way to better writing.

Table of Contents

Revision by Reduction
1(34)
Greater Reductions:
Shorten or remove whole chapters, sections, and paragraphs which, however good in themselves, don't ``move the piece forward''
2(6)
Lesser Reductions:
Shorten or remove superfluous, ineffective, or redundant sentences and words
8(22)
Micro-Reductions:
Replace longer words with shorter ones
30(2)
Summary of Reduction Rules
32(3)
Rethink and Rearrange
35(92)
Unity:
Concentrate on the subject and eliminate digressions
36(3)
Keep a unified tone and style
39(2)
Keep a consistent point of view and unity of character
41(1)
Keep episodes unified
42(4)
Keep verb tenses consistent
46(2)
Keep paragraphs and sentences to the point and unified
48(3)
Coherence:
51(40)
Organize according to the logic of time, space, and degree of specificity
54(3)
Avoid ambiguity
57(2)
Use coherent word order and phrasing
59(4)
Use parallel structure
63(6)
Make effective transitions
69(14)
Establish coherent beginnings
83(5)
Develop consistency through the middle
88(2)
Write effective and coherent endings
90(1)
Emphasis:
91(36)
Put the parts into the right proportions
92(1)
Put important things anywhere but in the middle
93(1)
Understand the psychology of emphasis
94(7)
Use effective repetition of words, phrases, sounds, and ideas
101(2)
Mix Latinate and Saxon-derived words
103(7)
Vary the length of sentences, paragraphs, and chapters
110(2)
Bring emphasis by careful word choice and positioning
112(3)
Use spaces, pauses, and special typography, including italics, boldface, and page layout
115(6)
Avoid things that kill emphasis: excessive exclamation points, passive verbs, abstract or indirect language, intensifiers, cliches, and overexaggeration
121(6)
Revise by Rewording
127(76)
Develop and recognize your own special style
129(4)
Select the best word, the best phrasing, the most effective diction
133(4)
Pay special attention to verbs--keep them active
137(14)
Limit modifiers
151(1)
Appeal to the senses
152(7)
Be sensitive to rhythm and sound, varying sentences' length, form, and internal pacing
159(11)
Use the sound of words, and words that imitate sounds
170(2)
Use figurative language--simile, metaphor, analogy, personification, metonymy, hyperbole, and allusion
172(7)
Watch out for the misuse of figurative language
179(5)
Avoid unjustified obscenities, sexisms, excessive dialect, cliches, and jargon
184(9)
Watch for common misspellings and incorrect usages
193(10)
Afterword 203(1)
Recommended Reading 204(6)
Index 210

An electronic version of this book is available through VitalSource.

This book is viewable on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and most smartphones.

By purchasing, you will be able to view this book online, as well as download it, for the chosen number of days.

Digital License

You are licensing a digital product for a set duration. Durations are set forth in the product description, with "Lifetime" typically meaning five (5) years of online access and permanent download to a supported device. All licenses are non-transferable.

More details can be found here.

A downloadable version of this book is available through the eCampus Reader or compatible Adobe readers.

Applications are available on iOS, Android, PC, Mac, and Windows Mobile platforms.

Please view the compatibility matrix prior to purchase.