When Words Collide: A Media Writer’s Guide to Grammar and Style (with InfoTrac) - Softcover

Kessler, Lauren; McDonald, Duncan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 053456206X ISBN 13: 9780534562069

Publisher: Cengage Learning, 2003

Synopsis

WHEN WORDS COLLIDE is the most versatile grammar and usage handbook for beginning and continuing media writers. As a main text, the book is praised by students and professors for its straightforward, clear treatment of grammar, offered in a lighthearted, almost conversational tone. As a handbook, the text serves as a reference tool for students throughout their writing careers. It provides concise and clear explanations and examples, or a quick and accurate answer to a grammar or usage question. The unique 'from writer to writer' perspective engages students and guides them firsthand through the writing process.

About this title

About the Author

Lauren Kessler is professor and director of the Multimedia Journalism Master's Program at the University of Oregon as well as a national speaker, workshop leader, and founder and editor of ETUDE, the online magazine of narrative nonfiction. In addition, she is the author of three textbooks and seven works of narrative nonfiction, including MY TEENAGE WEREWOLF: A MOTHER, A DAUGHTER, A JOURNEY THROUGH THE THICKETS OF ADOLESCENCE, Pacific Northwest Book Award winner DANCING WITH ROSE (published in paperback as FINDING LIFE IN THE LAND OF ALZHEIMER'S), WASHINGTON POST bestseller CLEVER GIRL and LOS ANGELES TIMES bestseller THE HAPPY BOTTOM RIDING CLUB--which David Letterman, in fierce competition with Oprah, chose as the first (and only) book for the Dave Letterman Book Club. She appeared twice on his late-night show. She is also the author of Oregon Book Award winner STUBBORN TWIG, which was chosen as the book for all Oregon to read in honor of the state's 2009 sesquicentennial. Dr. Kessler's journalism has appeared in THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE, LOS ANGELES TIMES MAGAZINE, O magazine, UTNE READER, THE NATION, newsweek.com and salon.com. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Washington. Dr. Kessler blogs at www.myteenagewerewolf.com.Find out more at www.laurenkessler.com

Review

"Specific examples help the novice or less mature writer quickly see how the errors can be corrected. The section on parallel Structure is particularly important because students tend to overlook these errors."

"I really like the clarity and directness of the writing style. In fact, style is one of the book's main strengths. The examples are clear, succinct and extremely helpful."

"College students will find the casual writing style a refreshing change from many of their other textbooks. The conversational tone and frequent use of analogies turns a boring subject into an interesting narrative."

Edition details

• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 053456206X
• ISBN 13: 9780534562069
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• Language: English
• Edition number: 6
• Number of pages: 240