Contents   A Word About These “Conversations” Preface to the Third Edition Acknowledgments Fundamentals   Chapter 1: Thinking Well   Chapter 2: Getting Launched   Chapter 3: Openers   Chapter 4: Middles   Chapter 5: Closers   Chapter 6: Diction   Chapter 7: Readability   Chapter 8: Superstitions   Chapter 9: Critical Analysis: Jousting with Mencken   Chapter 10:  Dramatizing Your Ideas   Chapter 11: Revising   Chapter 12: Proofreading     Odds and Ends   Chapter 13: Punctuation     Semicolons      Commas      Parentheses      Dashes      Colons      Hyphens      Exclamation points    Chapter 14: Quoting      Punctuation introducing quotations     Punctuation at the end of quotations      Miscellaneous small points      Indented quotations      Orphan quotes      Dialogue     Punctuating run-on quotations of poetry      References for quotations      Punctuating parenthetical references      Ellipses      Editorial insertions (square brackets)   Chapter 15: Abbreviations   Chapter 16: Tips on Usage    Chapter 17: Epilogue    Sources  Index 

Describes a remarkably effective method for generating ideas and converting them into coherent prose. Helps students overcome difficulty with generating ideas and developing these ideas in their writing. Emphasizes audience awareness Keeps students focused on one of the most important aspects of effective writing. Takes the mystery out of how skilled writers actually think. Specifies the all-important fundamentals of good writing–Then explains with wit and common sense precisely why these elements are so fundamental.Clearly explains the rationale of various stylistic conventions. Helps students understand why these conventions are effective so they are better able to apply them to their own work. Explores the reasons why certain stylistic taboos should now be questioned. Helps students develop a critical perspective on writing. Answers students' recurring questions about punctuation, documentation, and various conventions. Serves as a handy reference for correcting and editing their work. Considers the aesthetic value of writing-rules and the resources of various grammatical and punctuation marks. Shows how these seemingly dry concepts are actually tools writers use to maximize creativity. Analyzes the art of revising and proofreading. Helps students see writing as a work in progress. TEACHING/LEARNING AIDS Summarizes important points in list form. Facilitates using the book for review and quick reference. Enumerates over 200 tips for increasing the readability of one's writing. Offers a plethora of techniques from which students can pick and choose. Supplements the author's advice with statements by professional writers. Shows students how even professional writers follow the same process. Makes the use of analogies to explain abstract concepts. Appeals to different learning styles to maximize understanding. Uses witty, memorable examples (not solemn, mechanical ones). Helps engage students in learning to write. Includes examples from both professional and student writing. Provides examples students can relate to and aspire to. Demonstrates the art of expository writing. Instructors can introduce students to the many places where Trimble artfully illustrates his own points. Ex.___

An new chapter, Critical Analysis: Jousting with Mencken,  includes an essay by Mencken and student critical analyses of it, along with Trimble's discussion to provide an illustrative unit on this essential academic writing skill.   A new chapter, Dramatizing Your Prose, provides examples and discussion of how to inject the principles of good story-telling into expository prose to keep an audience engaged.   Fresh examples and updated help on taboos, punctuation, usage manuals, and other topics