The Practical Stylist: The Classic Guide to Style 1st Edition

My son is using it for studying for SAT testing. His tutor recommended this book. Apparently, it has many necessary items that one needs to know for SAT. So I recommend. However, for my self, I have tried reading it to help out my son with his studying, and it can be tough reading, just want to point that out. Not the easiest of reading. Not sure it has to be that way, but not sure of an alternative.

This is a great book on writing. I used the 4th edition in college back in 1980.However, this "Longman" edition, or at least the copy I received, has several issues:- The chapter on "Research" (chapter 10) is missing, even though it is mentioned both in the preface and the back cover as well. It's also mentioned in the product description on the website.- The page count of my copy is 236 pages, not the 288 pages mentioned in the description.- The "Do's" and "Don'ts" on the inside front and back covers are missing. (These are also mentioned in the preface.)I'm still giving it four stars because the content that is still there is great, but be aware that somewhere along the line some things got cut out.

Sheridan Baker obviously enjoys the English language and he enjoys teaching students how to use it well. Almost every paragraph in the book sparkles with the excitement writers feel when they finally get something right. And getting something right usually comes with the careful revisions that Sheridan Baker stresses. If someone wants to write a non-fiction paper or a book, The Longman Practical Stylist is the perfect guide for getting the job done.

great condition

Sure

This author does an excellent job of in writing skills. His how to is a step by step instruction. But one has to use the technical How to that is recommended by their school's reference.

I loved this book back in 1985 when I was a sophomore in high school. I bought this for my college freshman to fill in the gaps in his high school education.

It is a nice book but I was looking for more of a quick reference book.

Great book. Your dad was right: "the only grammar book you will ever need."The book's strength is in its simplicity which is why it is the best reference available for practical writing.Of course, to make it complete I would want to see at least some guidance t'ward the less simple "formal rules." Alas, the author makes it clear that the formal rules are not the subject here. Nor are they of any use.The "keyhole" essay writing diagram is stupid, but this book makes up for that in multiple ways (logical fallacies, proper use of semi-colon, etc) and as a result, is the most useful writing reference available.