MTU Cork Library Catalogue

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The quick reference plain English guide / Martin Cutts.

By: Cutts, Martin.
Material type: materialTypeLabelBookPublisher: Oxford : Oxford UP, 1995Description: 165 p. ; 18 cm. + pbk.ISBN: 0198662432.Subject(s): English language -- GrammarDDC classification: 428.2
Contents:
Writing shorter sentences ... or chopping up snakes -- Preferring plain words -- Writing tight -- Favouring the active voice -- Using vigorous verbs -- Using vertical lists -- Negative to positive -- Cross-references, cross readers -- Clearly non-sexist -- Sound starts and excellent endings -- Using good punctuation -- Seven writing myths explored and exploded -- Conquering grammaraphobia -- Planning effectively -- Using reader-centred structure -- Using alternatives to words, words, words -- Management of colleagues' writing -- Writing better instructions -- Lucid legal language -- Basics of clear layout.
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Copy number Status Date due Barcode Item holds
General Lending MTU Bishopstown Library Lending 428.2 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 00092333
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Over the last two decades, governments and companies around the world have been encouraged to implement plain English in order to communicate essential information in letters, documents, reports, contracts, and forms in a more clear and understandable way. The Quick Reference Plain English Guide is a practical guide that explains how to write, and communicate information clearly. It provides guidance on how to write better letters, memos, instructions, legal documents, and reports to avoid being obscure, long-winded, and prone to jargon. This guide teaches how to write plain English using 20 easy-to-follow guidelines covering plain words, sentence length, active and passive verbs, punctuation, grammar, planning, and good organization of points. Writing myths are also explored and controversially exploded, such as 'You must not start a sentence with but', and 'You must not split your infinitives'.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 160-162) and index.

Writing shorter sentences ... or chopping up snakes -- Preferring plain words -- Writing tight -- Favouring the active voice -- Using vigorous verbs -- Using vertical lists -- Negative to positive -- Cross-references, cross readers -- Clearly non-sexist -- Sound starts and excellent endings -- Using good punctuation -- Seven writing myths explored and exploded -- Conquering grammaraphobia -- Planning effectively -- Using reader-centred structure -- Using alternatives to words, words, words -- Management of colleagues' writing -- Writing better instructions -- Lucid legal language -- Basics of clear layout.

CIT Module SOCI 8003 - Supplementary reading.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • Writing shorter sentences ... or chopping up snakes
  • 11 Using good punctuationPreferring plain words
  • 12 Seven writing myths explored and explodedWriting tight
  • 13 Conquering grammarphobiaFavouring the active voice
  • 14 Planning effectivelyUsing vigorous verbs
  • 15 Using reader-centred structureUsing vertical lists
  • 16 Using alternatives to words, words, wordsNegative to positive
  • 17 Management of colleague's writingCross-references, cross readers
  • 18 Writing better instructionsClearly non-sexist
  • 19 Lucid legal language
  • 10 Sound starts and excellent endings
  • 20 Clear layout

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Martin Cutts was co-founder of the Plain English Campaign in 1979, and in 1994 he established the Plain Language Commission to carry our research projects. He is a leading voice in the international plain language movement.

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