Re: Is there any writing guide around?

On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:55:33 +0200, Filip wrote:

Hi all,

This is not really on-topic, but I couldn't think of a better place to
ask this question.

I am looking for a guide (book?) with general extensive writing rules
and guidelines for writing a thesis, an article, a letter, ... actually
any kind of (scientific) document.

I am not sure how to explain it better, so I'll give you some examples
which I would expect that this guide covers:

- how to write an abstract
- e.g., i.e., etc. explanations
- rule that an abbreviation should never be put in a text before its
definition

While these examples may seem trivial, you can get some idea what I am
looking for. I know that this kind of information is available via
searching on Google, but they are all scattered around, and unless one
knows what exactly is (s)he looking for, it's not really convenient.

Thanks.

Regards
Filip

My analysis:

1. The Bedford Handbook (Diana Hacker) - 2005

I have only seen an older version of this volume. It seemed to me to be a
derivative of MLA for high school, community college level.

2. The MLA Handbook / MLA Style Manual

Used in many humanities programs.

3. Chicago Manual of Style / Turabian

Used in history programs and by many US non-scientific publishers.

4. APA Manual

Used by the psych/social sciences programs.

5. John Trimbur, The Call to Write

Supplemental resource for MLA, APA, COS (Columbia) styles.

6. Joseph Williams, Style

Good for making your writing actually communicate something.

7. Lynn Quitman-Troyka, Quick Access for Writers

MLA-based, handy quick-ref, spiral-bound.

8. Ken Macrorie, Telling Writing
9. Robert Meredith, The Art of Composition

Similar to Williams; they teach the art of writing.

10/11. Fowler, The King's English and A Modern Dictionary of English Usage

Classics. I still see much good there. Williams (above) strongly dislikes
these as a tool of linguistic repression. American bias favors Williams.

12. Emma Tennant, The ABC of Writing

Just too darn funny, like Bierce's Devil's Dictionary for writers.

13. Strunk and White, Elements of Style

Grandma and Grandpa's style book. Used in middle schools and maybe high
schools. Outdated in many respects for today's usage.

Also, Don Knuth is a good model for a scientist that writes to be
understood outside the ghetto of his own disciplinary jargon.

And finally,

ASK YOUR ADVISER! If you are writing a dissertation or thesis, they and
the department or school secretary own your butt. Use what they suggest.
Mess with them and your degree will evanesce into the nebula of red tape.

Charles

.

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