Writing

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This page was going to be about the mechanics of writing: style, grammar, usage, maybe a little spelling. But it soon turned out to include not only books on the mechanics of writing, but also books on the writing process. It just seemed logical somehow to put together, in one place, books to guide you on how to write with books to guide you on, well, how to write. Have a look at our pages for your specific kinds of writing (see the table at the end of the page), such as technical writing, fiction writing, sports writing, etc. Here we focus on books and needs common to all writers.

Books on Writing Skills

Here are current top-selling books on writing skills - from style to grammar, from usage to content, from writing techniques to finding your true voice as a writer.


1.		MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Sixth Edition from Modern Language Association of America Price: $15.75 Customer Review: I actually use the APA style book, but getting this for a few dollars, even though it is the 1999 edition, was good as it is printed on very high quality paper and has a unique lie flat binding that works well even though it isn't loose leaf or spiral bound. If you think a copy might be useful, I... more info	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


2.		A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Seventh Edition: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) from University Of Chicago Press Price: $10.20 Customer Review: Not only have the editors updated Turabian for the internet age, they have greatly improved the layout and made it easier to use.	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


3.		The Elements of Style (Coyote Canyon Press Classics) from Coyote Canyon Press Price: $3.90 Customer Review: I have used this text when tutoring individual students at the undergraduate and graduate level. I have also used it extensively in my management development classses featuring writing. It is superb,clearly written with almost brazen simplicity. It is the special gift that I give to students and... more info	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


4.		A Pocket Style Manual from Bedford/St. Martin's Price: $21.37 Customer Review: I am excited to use the MLA tools in this pocket guide for writing my college papers. There is so much in this little book, and was worth ever cent of my purchase. There are lots of little things that students forget like noun/verb agreement, and possession. It is very helpful, and every student... more info	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


5.		They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing from W. W. Norton Price: $17.77 Customer Review: I used "They Say/I Say" with my composition students in the Spring semester of 2008. Frankly, I had some reservations because the department required a fairly expensive handbook, and this would be an add-on. On the plus side, it was brief enough to go over thoroughly and was not too expensive. I... more info	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


6.		The Bedford Handbook from Bedford/St. Martin's Price: $58.27 Customer Review: The Bedford Handbook I was satisfied with my order, and was delivered as it said	Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


7.		On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (On Writing Well) from Collins Price: $10.17 Customer Review: Do you remember your favorite teacher or professor? The one who made you want to learn the subject? This book is like that. It's entertaining. I couldn't put it down.	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


8.		Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life from Anchor Price: $11.16 Customer Review: Besides being a thorough exploration of writing, it's a memoir with insight into both writing and life.	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


9.		The Chicago Manual of Style from University Of Chicago Press Price: $41.50 Customer Review: I love reference books. I had an editing job that required me to have "15" so I had the perfect excuse to buy it. But what a difficult book to use. I had to check a few relatively easy things, and one or two obscure things. If the answer wasn't where I'd think it should be the book directed me... more info	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


10.		Concise Rules Of Apa Style (Concise Rules of the American Psychological Association (APA) Style) from American Psychological Association (APA) Price: $25.15 Customer Review: Let's face it, nobody likes doing APA, but if you have to do it, this is the best tool around. It is portable and easily searched and covers all situations, no matter how archiaic.	Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


11.		Hodges Harbrace Handbook from Thompson/Wadsworth Publishing Price: $56.79 Customer Review: This book is So. Expensive. And, it sucks. I had like 3 hours to kill so I were going to read it, and it wasn't even funny. Plus I just hate it.	Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


12.		The Little, Brown Handbook (10th Edition) (MyCompLab Series) from Longman Price: $51.74 Customer Review: I would give this book more than 5 stars - between 7 and 10 stars. Great value for money $$$$$. Lots of lessons in over 900 pages. Inspirational learning. At home, I have NUMEROUS books on grammar, punctuation, style, writing, etc. The Little Brown Handbook is among them and it is one of... more info	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


13.		Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing from Holt Paperbacks Price: $11.20 Customer Review: I purchased this book for use in the classroom, hoping to find new and more interesting ways to present the grammar material. There are several lesson suggestions that I will implement.	Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


14.		The Elements of Style Illustrated from Penguin (Non-Classics) Price: $10.20 Customer Review: I'm usually concerned about purchasing items on line, especially books. I can honestly say that this experience was worth it. I would recommend this seller to anyone interested in purchasing good quality books at extremely reasonable prices. Buy with confidence, I did!	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


15.		They Say/I Say: The Moves that Matter in Persuasive Writing from W. W. Norton Price: $14.93 Customer Review: I bought this book for my English class, but have never actually read it. Does have some good stories and writing tips, but not actually useful. Okay if you're a writer. Buy the St. Martin's handbook....way more useful.	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


16.		Creating Literacy Instruction for All Students (6th Edition) from Allyn & Bacon Price: $110.88 Customer Review: This is a fantastic resource for literacy instruction. The author provides lots of practical tips and techniques for each approach as well as the theory behind each one. It's easy to read, too.	Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


17.		The Norton Field Guide to Writing from W. W. Norton Price: $31.13 Customer Review: The three (not quite redeeming) strengths of this book are its reasonable price, readability, and great example essays for each genre of writing discussed - some essays by professional writers and some by first-year college writing students. The example essays represent a broad range of styles and... more info	Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


18.		The Gregg Reference Manual from Career Education Price: $51.07 Customer Review: I use this reference on the job. The focus on business writing helps when I have trouble determining what style is best to use for composing email, proposals, and similar business writing requirements. I also use the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) as a cross reference. Recommended.	Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


19.		Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation from Gotham Price: $9.60 Customer Review: This book is not a grammar or style guide. This is rather a book by someone who is passionate about language, in general, and punctuation, in particular. If you see a signboard of a shop advertising "CD's, Video's, DVD's, and Book's", and if you see another one declaring "No Dogs Please" and both of... more info	Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


20.		Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing (2nd Edition) from Prentice Hall Price: $31.80 Customer Review: I've read a lot of books on writing over the years, so many that I've reserved a spot on the corner of my desk for the very best of them so I can refer to them every so often. Only a few books are in this pile: they are the special ones. And one of them is Trimble's book. I discovered it many years... more info	Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information