Introduction

The little red writing book - Brandon Royal 2007


Introduction

This book is based on a simple but powerful observation: Students and young professionals who develop outstanding writing skills do so primarily by mastering a limited number of the most important writing principles and grammar rules, which they use over and over again. What are these recurring principles? The answer to this question is the basis of this material.

Writing has four pillars — structure, style, readability, and grammar — and each pillar is like the single leg of a sturdy chair. Structure is about organization and deciding in which order to present your ideas. Style describes how one writes, including how to use specific examples to support what is written. Readability is about presentation and how to make a document visually pleasing and easy to read. Grammar, including diction, is about expressing language in a correct and acceptable form.

Given the pervasive nature of writing, this guidebook is suitable for a wide-ranging audience, including writing aficionados from all walks of life. High school and college students can use this material for supplementary study. Businesspersons can use this material as a refresher course. Individuals preparing for job placement tests and students preparing for college or graduate entrance exams will benefit from a time-tested review of basic writing principles and rules.

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