Write It Right
The Ground Rules for Self-Editing Like the Pros

Dawn Josephson and Lauren Hidden

7/5/2005

Review by Molly

This is a book of 127 text pages, Divided into Acknowledgments, Introduction, Five steps to better writing/editing, Appendices, Epilogue and Index. Write It Right, The Ground Rules for Self-Editing Like the Pros is the product of women entrepreneurs Dawn Josephson and Lauren Hidden. The steps to writing and editing your work is presented in five easy to read segments. Filled with graphs, hints, examples, handwritten marginal notes, problems to solve and frequently asked questions the segments are prepared so that readers can easily read one during break, while waiting at the dentist or when working on a particular paper at the office.

Step one: Warm Up Search for the Occurrence of similar Writing challenges. One key point : Knowing your problems is half the battle seems obvious, but is often overlooked.

Step two: Approach the Starting Line Prepare to Edit guides the reader to think like an editor and not like a writer. Ground rules for editing include suggestions for building a personalized editing checklist, scheduling time for the editing phase, detaching from the work, and working on a hard copy. The writers suggest that if you’re too attached to your work, you’ll never edit it effectively.

Step three: Run the Race The Editing Process Begins offers suggestions for setting the course for success including putting forth the notion that the more you’re able to focus, the better your editing experience will be.

Step four: Hand Off The Baton and Let the Relay Begin puts forth the notion that various surveys report that 70 to 80% of professionals write their materials collaboratively; they get input from others to make sure their writing comes across both professionally and properly.

Step five: A Picture Perfect Finish The Final Stretch guides the reader toward crossing the finish line with success.

What to do when you are pressed for time is covered in Appendix A. Appendix B lists How to Sabotage your Self Editing Efforts while Ground Rules of Grammar and Usage are found in Appendix C. Appendix D contains Forms and Checklists.

Write It Right, The Ground Rules for Self-Editing Like the Pros is an easily read book sure to become a valuable tool for all who hope to improve their writing whether letters, reports, essays, books or news and magazine articles. I particularly like the format with problems to solve and detailed answers telling how and why particular sentences needed correction. The easily read, breezy method of presentation will hold appeal to those who are bored to tears with academia type grammar texts.

This is a worthy addition to the writer library shelf, home library and home school library for students to use for improving their writing skills. I received a trade paperback for review. I found the work to contain many helpful hints and valuable writing information

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