You're no idiot, of course. You've probably written your share of book reports, term papers, e-mails, and thank you notes. The rules of writing can be confusing, however, and might result in final drafts riddled with gaffes, typos, and errors

The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Grammar and Style, Second Edition, will take you step by step through the basics of spelling, punctuation, and sentence formation to help you become an effective communicator of the written word In this revised and updated Complete Idiot's Guide(r), you get:

Explanations of writing styles including exposition, narration, argumentation, and description.

Definitions of such writing mistakes as dangling modifiers, mixed metaphors, and split infinitives and how to avoid them.

Examples of model documents such as resumes, cover letters, and thank you notes.

The differences between drafting a business letter and crafting a personal one."

From one of the most esteemed American poets of the twenty-first century comes a celebration of poetry and an invitation for anyone to experience its beauty and wonder.

In the grand tradition of Strunk and White's Elements of Style, Paul Argentini presents an essential reference masterpiece in screenwriting. He provides clear and concise principles of screenplay formatting structure, as well as stylistic advice. Argentini explains how to design and format manuscripts to impress any film school professor, story editor, agent, producer or studio executive. No book in shorter space, with fewer words, will help screenwriters more than this persistent volume.

Today's writers need more spunk than Strunk. Whether it's the Great American E-mail, Madison Avenue advertising, or Grammy Award-winning rap lyrics, memorable writing must jump off the page. With Sin and Syntax, copy veteran Hale makes creative communication, both the lyrical and the unlawful, an option for everyone.

Bringing together practical methods from both history and composition, Writing History provides a wealth of tips and advice to help students research and write essays for history classes. The book covers all aspects of writing about history, including finding topics and researching them, interpreting source materials, drawing inferences from sources, and constructing arguments. It concludes with three chapters that discuss writing effective sentences, using precise wording, and revising. Using numerous examples from the works of cultural, political, and social historians, Writing History serves as an ideal supplement to history courses that require students to conduct research. The second edition includes expanded sections on plagiarism, interviewing, and topic selection, as well as new sections on searching and using the Internet.

Titles in Barron's Painless Series are textbook supplements designed especially for classroom use by middle-school and high school students. The approach of each title is an appeal to students who think that the subject is boring, or too difficult, or both. The authors, all experienced educators, take a light approach, showing kids what is most interesting about each subject, and how seemingly difficult problems can be transformed into fun quizzes, brain-ticklers, and challenging puzzles with rational solutions. Here is practical advice that transforms essay writing into a satisfying experience for middle school and senior high school students. The author offers tips on enlivening writing with vivid images, smoothing out sentences, silencing the dull passive voice, and adding rhythm to writing. He also shows how to create a template that students can use when writing research papers for all subjects. In addition, students will find web site reference s cited throughout the text, which they can access. Brain ticklers (short quizzes) appear throughout the book with an answer key at the back.

Cassell's Contemporary German is designed to make your German-speaking experience relaxing and uncomplicated. Part 1, A Concise Reference Grammar, is like a complete refresher course in the basics of sentence structure, verb forms (including modal verbs), mood, parts of speech, and gender. It's filled with examples and focuses on the specific problems English speakers often encounter when they try to learn German. Part 2, Contemporary Functional Language, demonstrates the practical, modern, everyday workings of the language. It is this section especially that sets Cassell's Contemporary German apart from any other language guide, because it gives you valuable advice for getting along on a day-to-day basis in a German-speaking country - without sounding like an outdated phrase book. Here you'll find guidelines for: using the telephone, asking for or giving advice, applying for a job and writing a resume, writing a personal or professional letter and offering or declining an invitation. This section also tackles the common questions and unnerving language nuances that plague nonfluent German speakers, such as: how to tell colloquial and slang expressions from vulgar ones, how to express yourself - and your opinions - politely and how to avoid mistaking English soundalikes for German words. Part 3, Word Power, is made up of several specialized vocabularies that help you decipher the unique languages of finance and banking; politics and current affairs; shopping; travel; legal matters; media, the arts, and literature; even weather forecasts. There's a reference you can use to build on the verbs, nouns, and adjectives you already know; and a guide to using popular expressions. Withdozens of examples and illustrations, Cassell's Contemporary German is guaranteed to make any visit or extended stay in a German-speaking area relaxing, enjoyable, and hassle-free.

Natalie Goldberg's word-of-mouth hit has sold well over half a million copies. Goldberg, who has conducted writing workshops for both beginners and professionals all over the United States, sees writing as a practice that helps us comprehend the value of our lives. With insight, humor, and practicality, she inspires writers and would-be writers alike to take the leap into writing creatively and well.

The author reflects on writing and the writing life, sharing his thoughts on such topics as the limits and attractions of nonfiction, the need for work habits, the pitfalls of early success, coping with bad reviews, and his fellow writers.