ENGLISH WRITING SKILL

Several net friends have been praising my writing and my English, which really made me blush, as I do not consider myself worthy for such compliments.

However, I do wish to share my experience with these friends and hoping that this can be of some help to them. Without further emphasis, I am very fond of reading, in both Chinese and English. I owe much to my insatiable reading appetite for my current writing and speaking ability. Though repetitious, I recommend without reservation of more and continuous readings, as it is a MUST!

But I owe even more to the books and article as listed below. These are very good instructions and suggestions on styles and common errors. I strongly urge those who are interested in advancing their English to take a serious look in it. I am sure it is very useful in improving ones writing skill.

I attached also herewith Links to the availability of them.

“THE COMPLETE PLAIN WORDS.” By Ernest Gowers

Plain Words is a guide to effective writing from the 1940s for British civil servants. Over the years it has gone through many editions and been changed by many hands. The most recent version, “The Complete Plain Words”, still shows its focus on British usage and the civil service, but many of its suggestions are excellent. Most of the book is a discussion of common writing problems, with examples of good and bad writing. There is also a long section on specific points of usage, arranged alphabetically.

Available from -
http://www.netstoreusa.com/rabooks/014/0140511997.shtml

"POLITICS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE." By George Orwell

Orwell's essay is one of the great works on the plain style. The essay should be available in any popular collection of Orwell's essays. Read it daily. Keep a copy under your pillow or in your bag.

Download site -
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm

“THE ELEMENTS OF STYLES.” By William Strunk Jr.

The standard high school guide to style, and useful well beyond school. It includes a number of specific rules, dozens of commonly misused words, and bundles of suggestions for improving your style. Available anywhere. Read it. Memorize it. Live it. There is also an on line version which I attached the link herewith.