Painless Writing (Barron's Painless)
by Jeffrey Strausser

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Book Summary Information

• ISBN13: 9780764118104
• Condition: Used - Very Good
• Notes: 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!

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Book Reviews of Painless Writing (Barron's Painless)

Book Review: Give "Painless Writing" an A+
Summary: 5 Stars

On my high school graduation day over twenty years ago, I stepped off the platform with a diploma in my hand and a gold cord of excellence around my neck for winning the English award. I sailed with ease through my college composition courses and I annually compose about a thousand messages and memos to perform my job. Therefore, I thought there was nothing that I could learn about writing from a simple, entertaining book like "Painless Writing." I was wrong.

I was excited to discover that some of the topics and techniques covered in "Painless Writing" were new to me. For instance, I had never encountered the term "nominalizations" before. If that term is new to you, too, don't worry; you'll find out how to use them properly. Also, I was surprised to learn that the term "expletive construction" did not pertain to words best left out of fine, cultured writing, but rather, it refers to sentences beginning with the words "there are," "it is," etc.

"Painless Writing" simply explains each new topic and then provides exercises with answers to allow you to practice the new skills and techniques being covered. These exercises are not dull and boring like those we suffered with in our grammar books once-upon-a-time ago; they are entertaining and delightful.

Sample examples show both "poor" and "better" writing. I thought this method of teaching was extremely helpful.

The test answers are written out completely and then explained by the author. So, if you choose a wrong answer, you can see why the other answer was correct. This extra effort on the author's part is invaluable.

Another feature that I liked was the page numbering. "Say, what?" you say. Yes, I loved the page numbering. Each page number is written large enough for even forty-year old eyes to read and highlighted in a pink circle making it easy to see (this is great for flipping to the answer section).

I have already begun to incorporate some techniques that I learned from this book into both my private and professional writing.

Good job, Jeffrey Strausser.

The contents cover the following topics: Preposition clutter, enlivening writing, silencing the passive voice, reducing nominalizations/activating your writing, smoothing out your writing, using commas (not a boring chapter! you'll like it), adding rhythm to your writing, ten common writing errors (several of which I needed review), and for those still in school-a real bonus-a template for writing a term paper.
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Summary of Painless Writing (Barron's Painless)

Children's Books

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