That or Which, and Why: A Usage Guide for Thoughtful Writers and Editors

That or Which, and Why is an insightful and witty guide to writing. Based on Evan Jenkins's long-running column 'Language Corner' in Columbia Journalism Review, the book is compiled of brief, alphabetically arranged entries on approximately 200 major writing stumbling blocks, from the wonderful world of 'that' and 'which' to trickier terrain like the correct usage of common idiomatic expressions.

Working from his experiences as a newsroom editor and teacher, Jenkins' humorous tone puts the reader at ease, unlike many of the writing and usage guides out there that are off-putting in their rigidity and dogmatism. He takes the 'we're-all-in-this-together' approach to teaching better writing - maintaining a light tone throughout the book and emphasizing flexibility and easy-to-use guidelines rather than delivering orders from Grammar-on-high.

Evan Jenkins writes the "Language Corner" column of the Columbia Journalism Review. and is a consulting editor of CJR. He was editor in residence at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism; senior editor, Columbia JournalismReview; senior editor, The Racing Times; deputy news editor; The New York Times; chief copy editor, Newsday, and a reporter and copy editor at the Worcester Telegram in Massachusetts.