Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing (2nd Edition)

A price tag of $33 may look a bit expensive for a paperback, but this one is worth every penny. As a college instructor, I have often said that Professor Trimble deserves to win a Pulitzer for this book: it is a godsend. I've used _Writing with Style_ in nearly every course I've taught, and it has met with almost universal praise. Students have told me that it's changed their lives, as well as their approach to writing.While guides like Diana Hacker's are essential for the nitty-gritty of grammatical issues and the deservedly vaunted Strunk and White is wonderful for its concentration on clarity and concision, Trimble's book is the most comprehensive and practical approach to writing as an intellectual and ethical enterprise. The chapters "Thinking Well" and "How to Write a Critical Analysis," are worth the cover price on their own, and the entire book is packed with vital information for anyone who wants to write well--especially high-school and college students.Even if you aren't assigned this book by your teacher, do yourself a favor and buy it. If you're looking for a graduation present that will offer enduring value and hasn't already been purchased by three of your recipient's relatives, this is it. If you're a teacher, tutor, or parent who wants to help your students or children become stronger writers, make sure you have a copy of this. Trust me: this is one amazing book.

Reviewed by C J Singh (Berkeley, California, USA)I thoroughly enjoyed reading John Trimble's WRITING WITH STYLE. This witty book is aptly titled: its numerous how-to suggestions are all written with great style.In the chapter "Writers Talking Shop," Trimble quotes Lawrence Sterne, author of the classic novel "Tristram Shandy": "Writing, when properly managed, is but a different name for conversation." Trimble's own writing demonstrates this, amply justifying the book's subtitle, "Conversations on the Art of Writing."Talking about the use of semicolons, Trimble says: "The average college student isn't ready for semicolons. She hasn't discerned any need for them, nor is she eager to. They look forbiddingly exotic--about as tempting as a plate of snails. The literary gourmets can have them; she'll stick with her comma and period." Trimble's fourth sentence examples a graceful use of semicolon. A bit later, he quotes Mark Twain: "Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond;cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education." Six more quotes interspersed with Trimble's witty comments precede the concluding paragraph: "If you need proof that semicolons can mix agreeably with a readable style, go to the nonfiction of Mark Twain, one of America's most readable stylists. You'll find may be half a dozen semicolons per page. Or go to the writings of George Bernard Shaw, one of England's wittiest stylists. You'll find the same thing. Better still, since it's close at hand, open any copy of `Newsweek.' As my examples show, the pages of that magazine are sprinkled withsemicolons, yet I have never heard `Newsweek' called heavy or formal."In the preface, the author invites readers to email him at his university address. I did. The author graciously emailed back the same day, answering in considerable detail my questions. Thanks.-- C. J. Singh

I bought this book because it was required for my AP lit class. It came in overall good condition just a few annotations in the first two chapters and that was it. However i didn't like that its arrival was delayed a week after what i had been told. The content itself is good and it definately is helping me out with my writting.

Why should you ignore this review? Because my writing style is nowhere near what I'd like it to be. How can I review such a good book without looking like an idiot?Trimble's book is a breeze to read and fun as well. You'll pick up a lot without even trying. The examples are plentiful and interesting -- I've already added several of the quoted works to my reading list.What you won't get is elitism. That's a great thing. I'm not fond of elitists, especially when they're wrong. John is neither.Opening to a random page delivers the expected quality: "Two years ago it never occurred to him [a hypothetical student] to size up his audience, for two years ago he wasn't writing expressly for his reader; he was writing simply for himself. Now, though, persuasion is vital to him, so it's become part of his standard procedure to second-guess his reader's needs, taste, and level of sophistication."The book is light, small, and easy to hold. It fits easily in a carry-on, or a side pocket, just in case you want some light reading on a trip. The title isn't embarrassing, either.