Write to the Point Reprint Edition

I like the comment by one reviewer who noted the years which Write to the Point was published, 1984 with a revision in 1991. Stott wrote this book for his students. One reason, he admits, is so that he does not have to repeat himself every semester. Another reason is that he really wants to help his students (and readers) be better writers. However, Stott wonders how much his or any book on writing is of help. From his book (p. 135): "Like every other how-to-write book-writer, I have been sailing under false colors. I have encouraged you to think I can make you write better. Not true. Only you can make you write better. The most I can do is give you some ideas that may help you rethink the way you write." Stott can be blunt with his comments. Several times he disagrees with writing teachers such as Peter Elbow and William Zinsser. I did not like Mr. Stott's comment on author John McPhee. Stott writes: "Here is one of the most painful paragraphs I know. It is from John McPhee's book about frontier Alaska, Coming into the Country." I wish Mr. Stott had not been so critical of an author that I admire. Stott uses examples of his students' writing to illustrate what he calls "bad writing." I wish he would not call their writing "bad." College students are still learning, Stott does follow his own advice and writes to the point. One example: "So if you have something worthwhile to say, write each sentence clearly, follow commonsense organization, and obey a few arbitrary rules of grammar, your writing will be adequate to most purposes."

I used this book 30 years ago to help me in college. I ended up becoming a teacher of writing, and time and time again, I recommend this book to students. It has profoundly influenced my writing. Stott's work is clear, accessible, and intelligent. He speaks to the person. He understands the ways rules can and cannot be broken, and he instructs writers in understanding their audience. Perhaps most importantly Stott understands how initial muddled thinking can be clarified without simply resorting to "fixing" each sentence.

This book was fundamental to improving my writing. I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is easy to read with lots of good advice on how to get to the point and to be clear. The style of the book is a nice example of what he preaches.

If your a student writer or want to be a writer, then this book is mandatory reading. He gets a little wordy near the end, but the support for new writers is great! You can also check out "Building Great Sentences" by Landon.

Excellent book if you are interested in writing anything at all. Well, even if you are not going to write, it will help with your appreciation of good writing.

This is a very helpful book to those who are reluctant to write or intimidated by the thought of it.

It's important to say things right.

It's been more than a few years since I sat in a college English class (and that was for the Ye Olde English of Chaucer). But I write a lot for work and enjoy reading up on ways to improve.If your writing can also use work but you lack the time to crack open a massive Manual of Style or Writer's Guide or you're intimidated by the tone of such books, Bill Stott's Write to the Point might be the concise, encouraging and conversational alternative you need.The thrust of Write to the Point is that insecure or inexperienced writers should not feel overwhelmed or burdened by conventional composition rules that claim to define Good and Correct Writing. Such writers should simply write as plainly as possible about ideas they care about. Ultimately, content trumps style and technique in nonfiction prose.Stott doesn't advocate ignoring rules completely, he just wants them cut down to size a bit where they won't paralyze you with fear and constant censoring of your thoughts.At least the first two-thirds of Stott's book focuses on where to get ideas and how to present them. Stott is a college instructor and addresses his typical audience both in his numerous student examples and his insights as a teacher. But he doesn't condescend and as someone whose a-long-way-from-college-student I found the book's tone to be intelligent as well as entertaining. Stott's breezy tone is encouraging and his willingness to disagree with some classic writing guides is refreshing.The later section of Write to the Point does include grammar pointers on semicolons, apostrophes, etc., along my personal arch nemesis: punctuating sentences that contain quotes. But it also deals with composition topics such as sentence structure, parallel construction, footnoting and bibliography.It's a one-stop shop for people (primarily college students) who wish to write papers, essays or substantive emails that are coherent and effective.First published in 1984 (with plentiful Orwell quotes to boot) it's important to recall (or to realize if you weren't around back then) that in the mid 80's we were still deep into the age of Serious Books About Writing Seriously. Nowadays pithy and clever writing and usage guides are the norm along with the flood of Idiot/Dummies/Clueless/Moron guides (and we wonder why so many people have self-esteem issues?).Stott's book has held up well (aside from a few typewriter references) and is an effective minimal-nonsense (but quite a lot of fun) read about writing. A good book to keep on the bookshelf in plain sight while you're typing away.

Definitely not write to the point.