Walter J. Ong, Orality and Literacy, London: Routledge, 2002, pp.204,
ISBN 0415281294
Classic theoretical study of the relationship between spoken and written culture. Ong argues that writing is a quantum leap forward in cultural and intellectual complexity. Highly recommended.
Full review HERE
Elizabeth Orna with Graham Stevens, Managing Information for Research, Buckingham: Open University Press, 1995, pp.191, ISBN: 0335193978
Excellent advice on organising, storing, and structuring information for writing research projects, reports, and dissertations. Includes layout and use of word-processors. [Recommended]
Full review HERE
Oxford Guide to Style, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002, pp.623, ISBN: 0198691750
Comprehensive reference to editing and text-presentation, which covers every possible bibliographic detail. Includes referencing digital sources and print preparation. [Highly recommended]
Full review HERE
Oxford Style Manual, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003, pp.1052, ISBN 0198605641
This ultimate style guide combines Oxford's Guide to Style with their equally popular Writer's Dictionary. Two for cheaper than the price of one. Highly recommended.
Full review HERE
Oxford Writers' Dictionary, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990, pp.448, ISBN: 0192826697
Specialist dictionary for writers, journalists, and text-editors which deals with problematic and foreign words, offering correct spellings and usage. [Recommended]
Full review HERE
Richard Palmer, Write in Style: a guide to good English, London: Routledge, 2nd edn, 2002, pp.255,ISBN 0415252636
Amusing and irreverant advice on the basics of good English. Covers good and bad sentences; how to deal with punctuation; how to strike the right tone; and the rules of spelling and grammar. Every point illustrated with vivid examples - gaffes from the popular press and good style from skillful authors.
Full review HERE
Mike Palmquist and Donald E. Zimmerman, Writing with a Computer, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1999, pp.269, ISBN 0205274870
How to use word-processors to increase the effectiveness of your writing, plus time-saving tips on the use of templates, short-cuts, and outliners.
Full review HERE
David Parker, Tackling Coursework: assignments, projects, reports and
presentations, DP Publications, 1994.
M. Peelo, Helping Students with Study Problems, Open University Press, 1995
Stylewriter is a software program which offers help with writing skills such as summarising, editing, and proof-reading your work. It also offers a selection of writing styles to choose from - academic writing, journalism, formal prose, and so on. Mistakes and suggestions for improvement are highlighted and implemented with a click of the button.
Estelle M. Phillips and D.S. Pugh, How to get a Ph.D: a handbook for students and their supervisors, Buckinghamshire: Open University Press, third edn, 2000, pp.235, ISBN: 033520550X
Advice on how to get into the system, what to expect, and how to plan your workload, as well as dealing with your supervisor.
Full review HERE
B.A. Phythian, Teach Yourself Correct English, Hodder and Stoughton, 1990, pp.277, ISBN: 0340429968
Details at - http://www.amazon.co.uk
David B. Pirie, How to Write Critical Essays: a guide for students of literature, London: Routledge, 1985, pp.139, ISBN 0415045339.
Guidance manual on all aspects of essay writing - from interpreting the question, through making notes, to planning and submitting the finished work.
Full review HERE
Jonathan and Lisa Price, Hot Text: Web Writing that Works, Indianapolis (IN): New Riders, 2002, pp.507, ISBN 0735711518
Guide to digital writing techniques - packed with good examples of how to produce efficient writing for the Web. Intermediate to advanced level. Covers all forms of digital communication - from email newsletters to Web reports and eCommerce site material. [Highly recommended]
Full review HERE
Gary Provost, 101 Ways to Improve your Writing, Mentor Books, 1985, ISBN 0451627210
Details at -
http://www.amazon.co.uk
Phil Race, How to win as a final-year student: essays, exams and employment, Buckingham, UK: Open University Press, 2000, pp.181, ISBN
0335205119
Writing skills and strategies for students in their last year. It covers the problems of writing longer essays, reports, and dissertations, passing exams, and preparing for future employment.
Full review HERE
Andrew Robinson, The Story of Writing, London: Thames & Hudson, 1995, pp.224, ISBN 0500016658
Illustrated study of the graphical presentation of language, focussing on the decipherment of hieroglyphs and other code-cracking.
Full review HERE
Kjell Erik Rudestam and Rae R. Newton, Surviving your Dissertation: a comprehensive guide to content and process, Sage Publications, 1992.
Rosemary Sassoon, Handwriting of the Twentieth Century, London: Routledge, 1999, pp.208, ISBN 0415178827
How handwriting was taught and learned - from 1900 to 2000. This shows the gradual move from copperplate script to the modern italic in general use today. Beautifully illustrated.
Full review HERE
Heidi Schultz, The Elements of Electronic Communication, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000, pp.132, ISBN: 0205286461
Brief introduction to emailing protocols, newsgroups, and communication via the Web, with emphasis on writing for clarity in an electronic medium.
Full review HERE
Karen Scott, The Internet Writer's Handbook 2001/2,
London: Alison & Busby, 2001, pp.287, ISBN 0749004975
Reference guide to electronic publishing, with focus on e-zines and e-books. Extensive listings, plus advice on submitting work, payments, and contracts.
Full review HERE
John Seely, The Oxford Guide to Writing and Speaking, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000, pp.304, ISBN 0192801090
Brisk guide to various forms of writing and verbal presentations - from academic work, via faxes and email, to research and dissertations. Plenty of examples and self-assessment exercises.
Full review HERE
John Seely, Words, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002, pp.128, ISBN 0198662823
Using dictionaries, history of English language, and words which are commonly misused.
Practical guidance if you wish to perform more successfully in the workplace or
in studying. Tells you how to improve your vocabulary.
Full review HERE
John Seely, Writing Reports, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002, pp.128, ISBN 0198662831
Beginner's guide to report-writing skills - covers planning, structure, and presentation, how to research a topic, how to interview people, and how to record the results.
Full review HERE
John Seely, Oxford A—Z of Grammar and Punctuation, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004, pp.148, ISBN 0198608977
Beginner's pocket guide to basic grammar and punctuation in English. Plus how to punctuate lists; how to avoid the split infinitive; how to show speech in writing; and other practical everyday writing issues.
Full review HERE
John Seely, Oxford Guide to Effective Writing and Speaking, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005, pp.310. ISBN 0192806130
Covers how to structure a business letter and how to strike the right tone; how to format and follow the protocols of emailing; how to write a persuasive curriculum vitae, structure a job application, and prepare for the interview; how to prepare and deliver a PowerPoint presentation; how to organise and write a report; and how to prepare a press release when dealing with the media. Expanded version of Oxford Guide to Writing and Speaking.
Full review HERE
Mike Sharples, How We Write: Writing as Creative Design, London: Routledge, 1999, pp.224, ISBN 0415185874
Excellent study of the various processes of writing - from the origination of ideas, through their expression in words, to the physical production of text. Especially insightful on revision and the way in which the meaning of a text can change. Combines the approaches of psychology and literary theory.
Full review HERE
Catherine Soanes and Shiela Ferguson, Oxford A—Z of Spelling, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004, pp.140, ISBN 0198608950
Pocket-book guide to the basic rules of spelling in English - along with all the many irregular cases. It deals with difficult plurals and the apostrophe, Also acts as a reference book, since half of it is devoted to words which are commonly mis-spelled in English.
Full review HERE
Biz Stone, Blogging: Instant Strategies for Instant Web Content, Indianapolis (IN): New Riders, 2002, pp.309, ISBN 0735712999
Enthusiastic guide to writing web log pages [blogs] - the latest popular form of free journal writing.
Full review HERE
William Strunk and E.B. White, The Elements of Style, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1979, pp.92, ISBN: 0205191584
Old favourite 'bare bones' guidance manual which cuts out everything except the essential answers to most common writing problems. [Very popular]
Full review HERE
John Swales & Christine B. Feak, Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential tasks and skills, Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 1994,
pp.264, ISBN 0472082639
Judith Tarutz, Technical Editing: The Practical Guide for Editors and Writers,
Hewlett-Packard Press, 1992, pp.454, ISBN: 0201563568
Details at -
http://www.amazon.co.uk
Gordon Taylor, The Student's Writing Guide for the arts and social sciences, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989, pp.250, ISBN: 0521369053
Details at -
http://www.amazon.co.uk
Michael Temple, A Pocket Guide to Written English, Michael Joseph, 1990.
L. Trask, The Penguin Guide to Punctuation, London: Penguin Books, 1997, pp.162
Lynne Truss, Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation,
London: Profile Books, 2003, pp.209, ISBN: 1861976127
Amusing and best-selling guide to punctuation written in a lively style, and free from grammatical rules.
Full review HERE
Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, (6th edn) 1987, pp.300, ISBN: 0226816273
Modern US classic guidance manual for academic writing - covers everything from abbreviations via bibliography and referencing, to page layout. [Highly recommended.]
Full review HERE
Kate L. Turabian, Student's Guide for Writing College Papers (3rd rev edn) Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1977, pp.256, ISBN 0226816230
Details at - http://www.amazon.co.uk
Christopher Turk and John Kirkman, Effective Writing: improving scientific,
technical and business communication, E & FN Spon, second edition, 1989.
Richard Marggraf Turley, Writing Essays: a guide for students in English and the Humanities, London: Routledge, 2000, pp.145, ISBN 0415230136
Practical advice and worked examples for undergraduate students - written in a friendly tone and often quite funny. [Recommended]
Full review HERE
Victor J. Vitanza, Writing for the World Wide Web, Allyn and Bacon, 1998, pp.235, ISBN: 0205266932.
Guide for students who wish to convert their written work into web pages - includes examples of HTML code and instructions for uploading the results.
Full review HERE
WAN2TLK? ltle bk of txt msgs, London: Michael O'Mara Books, 2000, pp.95, ISBN: 185479678X
An interesting and best-selling oddity. A micro-dictionary which explains the abbreviated language of text-messaging used on mobile phones.
Full review HERE
Keith Waterhouse, Waterhouse on Newspaper Style, London: Penguin, 1993, pp.250, ISBN: 0140118195
Amusing tour through the abuse of language by UK newspaper journalists - exposing bad writing as a way of promoting clarity and precision. [Very popular]
Full review HERE
Gordon Wells, Writers' Questions and Answers, London: Allison & Busby, 2001, pp.143, ISBN 0749005319
Practical advice to writers who wish to publish their work commercially. Good on contracts, copyright, payments, and how to submit your work.
Full review HERE
Joseph Williams, Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace, New York: Addison Wesley, 6th edn, 1999, pp.309, ISBN: 0321024087
Advice for improving your writing - puts its emphasis on editing for clarity, creating structure, and keeping the audience in mind. [Recommended]
Full review HERE
Ian Winship and Alison McNab, The Student's Guide to the Internet, Library Association, 1996.
Peter Woods, Successful Writing for Qualitative Researchers, London: Routledge, 1999, pp.158, ISBN: 0415188474
Guide to academic writing at post-graduate level - from the preparation of a project through to the completion (and possible publication) of the finished work.
Full review HERE
William Zinsser, On Writing Well, New York: Harper Perennial, 1990, pp.308, ISBN: 0062735233
Reassuring guidance from an experienced journalist on writing more effectively, particularly good on editing and re-writing. [Best-seller]
Full review HERE
Part One
Part Two
Improve your Writing Skills shows you how to develop the quality and effectiveness of your writing. Packed with good examples and handy hints, it features clear advice written in non-technical language, and quick solutions to common problems. Suitable for anybody writing reports, business proposals, memos, or academic documents. This will help you to clarify and sharpen your written communication skills.
