Edit Yourself (ReIssue): A Manual for Everyone Who Words with Words

Bruce Ross-Larsen assembles hard-won word-smithing tips from his experiences having his manuscripts revised by a lifetime of demanding editors and finicky proofreaders. Some are conventional wisdom, most are good advice, a few make you stop and think.The book is organized into two very different sections. The first, What Editors Look For, contains chapters with names like: Fat, Shorter Sentences, and Parallel Constructions. It shows us the most common writing errors and suggests strategies to avoid them. The second section, What Editors Cut, Change, and Compare, is a lengthy, alphabetized list of specific changes writers should consider for their documents. It can be read straight through or used as a reference tool.I've found the book useful and keep it on my writing shelf. I picked it up for spare change at a yard sale fundraiser. Unless you are lucky at the used bookstore, I suggest ordering the  current paperback version . I might pick up the  Kindle version --the search capability should make the second section's material easier to navigate.

This used book appeared to have never been opened. Although small, it was packed with lots of practical suggestions for good writing and grammar.

This book is very helpful for anyone needing guidance on proofreading and editing their writing. The guides to specific words and phrases in the back of the book are perfect for developing the skills learned throughout the book.

Read this book in university. Really helped to improve my writing. I now recommend it to my own students

For years I've been giving a copy of "Edit Yourself" to every young person in whose success I am interested. Bruce Ross-Larson has written an excellent and blessedly short handbook for every writer: brief chapters setting forth the principles of good writing accompanied by an alphabetical list of questionable usages with, right next to them, how to improve them. Any writer who takes Ross-Larson's advice will write much more powerfully; the book is useful to writers at all levels.

Great book.Bruce Larson provides great insight into editing your own work.Highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to improve their writing