The Art of Readable Writing: With the Flesch Readability Formula

English is the unique language where almost every dialect and word can be understood by all other English speakers. A melting pot to be sure. Grammar is a mostly artificial human effort at regularity and order which inhibits expression common to many adherents. The key to English is communication. What I say or write is understood by my reader. That is English; a word speaks and is understood. No one owns English, but every user needs to be able reach another person in order to live ina community. This work of experience and observation captures the essence of being read and listened to. The rules are really simple steps to making sense. Writing is not reading or hearing, but needs to work in one medium or another. "Understanding Making Sense" would be a fair alternate title for this innocent and highly readable "How To.." text. Its fun to read and filled with metaphor and anecdote to bring the points home. I would use this as a text for a writing class to be reread or consulted every few years to rescue staying on track.

Contrary to the previous review's misinformation, this is not a book on penmanship, but a guide to improving your writing in the sense of composition. As such it is a worthwhile book, and worth your time, but probably only after you have finished with the Elements of Style.

I gave this book to my little brother as a gift to improve his penmanship. Knowing that penmanship has alot to do with a persons attitude, i decided to try and change his penmanship because i couldnt change his attitude. This book has helped him tremendously. It did take some time and some practice, however, the results were well worth it.