Product Description

Plain English is an essential tool for effective communication. Information transmitted in letters, documents, reports, contracts, and forms is clearer and more understandable when presented in straightforward terms. The Oxford Guide to Plain English provides authoritative guidance on how to write plain English using easy-to-follow guidelines which cover straightforward language, sentence length, active and passive verbs, punctuation, grammar, planning, and good organization. This handy guide will be invaluable to writers of all levels. It provides essential guidelines that will allow readers to develop their writing style, grammar, and punctuation. The book also offers help in understanding official jargon and legalese giving the plain English alternatives. This guide gives hundreds of real examples and shows 'before and after' versions of texts of different kinds which will help readers to look critically at their own writing. Helpfully organized into 21 short chapters, each covering a different aspect of writing. Clearly laid out, and easy to use, the Oxford Guide to Plain English is the best guide to writing clear and helpful documents.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7148 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 200 pages

About the Author
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. He is a leading voice in the international plain language movement.

Customer Reviews

precise and straight to the point
Improve writing skills with this book. The book is direct and straight to the point, no blagging around.

Very instructive, and funny.
The book is clear and concise. I learnt a lot, and the content is clearly applicable to more than English. But probably the crowning touch is that Mr. Cutts managed to write a book that is quite funny to read. Anybody having to write occasionally should have a copy.

The best book on general writing skills
I have been running writing courses for over a decade and have looked through many books on clear writing. Overall, I think this is the most helpful. I recommend it to attendees.

It even has a section on how to manage colleagues' writing. Many people who come on a writing course want their boss to attend too; to learn the real 'rules'!