Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing by Trimble

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(Paperback - Second Edition)

Reader Rating: (4 ratings)

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  • Publisher: Pearson
  • Pub. Date: December 1999
  • ISBN-13: 9780130257130
  • Sales Rank: 23,947
  • 198pp
  • Edition Description: Second Edition
  • Edition Number: 2
 
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Synopsis

A storehouse of practical writing tips, written in a lively, conversational style. Readers lean to develop a “writer's sense”: the book demonstrates that writing is really applied psychology since it is essentially the art of creating desired effects. Provides an explanation of what effects are desirable and how to create them. An exceptional book that works successfully on several levels simultaneously. Provides new insight into: how to generate interesting ideas and get them down on paper; how to write a critical analysis; how to write a crisp opener; how to invigorate a banal style; how to punctuate with confidence; how to handle various conventions, and much more. For anyone who needs a reference guide on writing.

Customer Reviews

Written with Styleby C_J_SINGH

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November 07, 2008: Reviewed by C J Singh (Berkeley, California)

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 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 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 witty quotes are followed by his 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 maybe 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 with semicolons, yet I have never heard `Newsweek? called heavy or formal.?

In the preface, Trimble invites readers to email him at his university address. I did. He graciously emailed back the same day, answering in considerable detail each of my questions. Thanks.

-- C J Singh

One of the best if not the bestby Anonymous

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January 02, 2003: This is an outstanding book relating to academic writing. Trimble makes the difficulties normally associated with writing become clearer. A great work from my perspective.


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