Oxford Guide Plain English
How to simplify and clarify your writing This is a new series from OUP – pocketbook guides on the basics of writing and language skills. They’re small, cheap, cheerful, and compact, yet authoritative – the sort of thing which I imagine would be ideal for students or the average person-in-the-street who wants to take on the first principles of improving their language skills. Oxford Guide to Plain English is written by the research director of the Plain Language Commission.
Martin Cutts is a writer, editor, and teacher. He founded the Plain English Campaign in 1979, and in 1994 he established the Plain Language Commission. Keep the rules of writing at your fingertips with Martin Cutts' Oxford Guide to Plain English. Advice on vocabulary, style, punctuation, grammar, layout, and the process of writing is provided in an easy-to-read manner complete with hundreds of real examples (even 'before-and-after' illustrations!) 288 pages, softcover.
It’s presented in a lively and professional manner, and Martin Cutts uses so many real-life examples you know he’s speaking from deeply-felt practical experience. He offers quick tips for creating a clearer style, better grammar, punctuation, and layout.
Cutts Oxford Guide To Plain English
He explains how to avoid jargon and legalese, and how to use plain English instead. And he has no patience with sloppy communication. For instance, have you ever received an official letter like the example he quotes from the DVLA? I again return your application for renewal of road fund licence and reiterate the correct amount is £130. I have enclosed a photocopy of your original document you will notice it clearly datestamped 2nd December, some two days after Budget day.
What Is Plain English
Four mistakes in forty-three words is not bad going for a government in the UK which claims it is committed to increased efficiency and clarity of communication! He shows you how to avoid this sort of thing – and how to replace mistakes with clear meaning. There are hundreds of real examples to show how it’s done, including ‘before’ and ‘after’ examples. Study guide for mn drivers test. There’s a good list of contemporary cliches and expressions to avoid, including the Plain English expressions which can quite easily replace them. The basic information is very sound.
Sentences twenty words or less; plain words rather than elaborate vocabulary; vigorous and active verbs rather than the passive voice; bulleted lists to explain multiple points of argument; strict but minimalist punctuation; planning as an indispensable tool to good structure; and even avoiding too many grammatical rules. It even includes advice on writing effective emails, and as an advocate of good spatial design in written communication, I was pleased to see that there was a whole section devoted to good layout. Good value; good advice; and good format if you want something cheap and cheerful as a start-up or a pocket reference.
© Roy Johnson 2009 Martin Cutts, Oxford Guide to Plain English, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 3rd edition 2009, pp.
Plain English is the art of writing clearly, concisely, and in a way that precisely communicates your message to your intended audience. This book offers 25 practical guidelines helping you to improve your vocabulary, style, grammar, and layout to achieve clear writing.
It gives expert advice on all aspects of the writing process: from avoiding jargon and legalese, to organizing written information in print and online. It also shows you how it's done with hundreds of real examples, including 'before' and 'after' versions. All this is presented in an authoritative and engaging way. Completely revised and updated, this essential reference work is now even more useful: the word lists have been expanded; a new list of cliched and troublesome words to avoid has been added; and examples of real-life stories have been replaced with more recent ones. An improved design gives the book a fresh feel.
Oxford Guide Plain English
Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 172 Number of pages: 320 Weight: 338 g Dimensions: 195 x 136 x 16 mm Edition: 4th Revised edition MEDIA REVIEWS.