The Economist Style Guide: 9th Edition

Writing and speaking are the most difficult skills to learn if you're a non-native speaker. Even though most learners believe that speaking is more useful - and there is some vanity involved in it - it's actually writing that takes precedence in today's connected world. Most business communications today are done through email, and no one wants the recipient to have a laugh at their expense.Grammar, punctuation and vocabulary are important, for sure, but once you have mastered those, why not spend a few more hours dedicated to polishing a bit your written English? With just 160 pages, you get tips that will make your writing look formal, but not stilted; correct, but not pretentious. You may even have a laugh or two with the entries.

For anyone wanting to be informed, amused and refreshed about the right way to use English, the ninth edition of The Economist Style Guide is invaluable. I'd always thought that "immolate" meant burn but it means "sacrifice" so a photograph of a monk on fire would correctly be termed self immolation but the term would equally apply if the photograph was of a monk who had died from a self inflicted gunshot wound. This and dozens of other little gems throughout the book make it eminently readable and a useful guide for anyone who communicates in print ot text. In particular, the distinctions and subtleties between American and British usage is a reminder of the flexibility of this wonderful language.

I speak English as a second language. This style guide has been incredibly useful and informative. I have improved my writing even in other languages thanks to this book. It even is pleasurable reading.In the Guide's own style:Buy it.

I actually have this book, and was trying to decide whether I should use this or the latest Elements of Style. I chose to use the latter. Why? Not because The Economist is a "conservative" publication, but because the people who put together the Style Guide--like the Texas Board of Education and its textbook guidelines--have an obvious political agenda. It has attempted to shoehorn its right-wing ideology into the "discourse." Take for example what the Guide refers to as "euphemisms." Don't use "euphemisms," it says. Descriptive words like "challenged" or "disabled" are "euphemisms" and should not be used even if the alternatives "offend." Do not purposely avoid terms that may offend others, it says. Even a word like "disadvantaged" is a "euphemism" rather than a truism because the term itself is "absurd." The Guide's explanation for not using it is not only itself absurd, but tortured in its convoluted "logic." Although the vast majority of the Guide hues closer to its alleged purpose, there is enough of this kind of thing to believe that there is a purposeful attempt to propagandize along right-wing lines.

Very useful handbook for writing. It is fashioned similarly to other journalism guides of Brazilian newspapers, but it is far more witty.It brings a section about differences between American and British English - with clues I couldn't find anywhere else. Lots of vocabulary, as usual.It could bring more examples of good and bad practices, though. But I guess those you can find at live on the pages of The Economist itself.Enjoy your reading,Ruli.

More than grammar. This book helps with style and it also has reference information on abbreviations, calendars, countries, currencies, science, geology, internet, latin, proofreading, stockmarket, world times, etc. It has many interesting sections.

Libro interesante y útil para aprender estilos de escritura en inglés

An excelent resource. Every home should have this book. Ideal if any member of the family is writing an essay report or dissertation

Excellent service, highly recommended.

What can I say? The bible for those of us who want to write English proper, innit. Highly recommended for everyone

Excellent in all areas