The Random House Guide to Good

"Random House Guide to Good Writing," by Mitchell Ivers, is an inspiring, entertaining, and informative guide that goes beyond the rules of grammar, syntax, and punctuation. The goal is to "help you turn your appreciation of good writing into an ability to write well." The author discusses voice, tone, diction, and structure, and he emphasizes the importance of expressing yourself with purpose, using an appropriate style. Always keep your aim and audience in mind when putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. Are you creating a novel or short story? Are you writing a letter to a company to complain about a defective product? Do you want to compose an essay persuading your readers that the death penalty is barbaric and ineffective? Or are you dashing off a newspaper article describing a shooting in a fast food outlet? Your choice of words will vary according to the purpose of the piece and your intended audience. Ivers includes dozens of well-chosen quotations and excerpts from famous authors to illustrate his points. A few lines from "The Wasteland" exemplify T. S. Eliot's formal style of writing as well as his use of classical allusions. Two excerpts, one from Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi," and another from a Chicago Tribune column by the journalist Mike Royko, demonstrate a familiar and informal style. In addition, Ivers includes exercises to help the reader practice the skills taught in each section. The chapters on grammar and usage, and an appendix outlining the guidelines used by Random House's copy editors and proofreaders, are clearly written and filled with excellent examples. No book can transform everyone into a good writer. However, by following the guidelines in this excellent manual, most writers will learn to express themselves more simply and coherently. Ivers quotes Hemingway, who said, "We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master." This book will not make you a master, but it can help you write with more polish and self-assurance.

¡°Guide to¡± and ¡°hot to¡± books on writing fall into two kinds: one is SHOWING the GREATEST WORKS by GREATEST WRITERS to scare you off; another is showing the greatest works by greatest writers to encourage you in writing. This book belongs to the latter. I love it.

Iver's book delivers. It is neither sappy as many other writing books are, nor is it without color. Particularly helpful are the sections on grammar and usage. Whether honig your skills or becoming initiated with the complexities of the English language for the first time, this book is helpful. Though Iver discusses some elements of fiction, this book appears to have more relevance for the office or the class room than for creative writing. Yet, anyone will benefit from reading the book and working through its examples.

This book can be used both as a guide and a learning device. Mr. Ivers explains rules of grammar and common pitfalls in an amusing and intelligent style. He selects references to famous writings to demonstrate different styles of writing. The book can be used easily as a reference guide. It has an excellent index for quick lookups. I also found it to be delightful reading. He carefully chose authors and passages from books, speeches, and even movies and theatre to help convey his examples. I think this would make an excellent adjunct to any college writing program. His chapters on writing tips can inspire one to take out a pencil or word processor and start writing. I think this book is a must for any home, school, or office library.