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Jefferson D. Bates
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Writing with Precision: How to Write So That You Cannot Possibly Be Misunderstood Paperback – April 1, 2000

by Jefferson D. Bates (Author)
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One of the most popular and respected style guides ever written, this handbook by a seasoned writer with more than forty years of experience offers ten principles and seven axioms that professional writers use to express their thoughts clearly and effectively. This latest edition is expanded to include an extensive glossary of American idiomatic expressions, developed to assist users from other backgrounds and cultures; new chapters with tips on little-known facts of usage, such as compound words, hyphenation, numeration, and capitalization; and explanations of technical problems encountered in writing and editing with tips and exercises to help solve them. For anyone faced with the challenges of written English, Writing with Precision can help readers write more clearly, more effectively, and more precisely than they ever have.
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  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Publishing Group
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2000
  5. Grade level
    12 and up
  6. Reading age
    18 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    7.68 x 5.01 x 0.62 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    0140288538
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0140288537
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"If you write for a living," says Jefferson D. Bates in Writing with Precision, "this book is probably not for you." But if what you do for a living involves writing, then this book can help you do so "clearly, concisely, and PRECISELY." Bates is fond of italics, boldface, CAPS, exclamations!, quirky footnotes, and the word crotchet. He's over 80. He's been editorial director of the U.S. Air Force's Effective Writing Program and a chief speechwriter for NASA. The cornerstone of his campaign is the elimination of bureaucratese and jargon. Writing with Precision, originally published in 1978, is divided into four parts: writing (mainly letters, memos, instructions, regulations, and reports), editing (mostly copyediting), usage, and exercises. There is a definite personality behind this readable, conversational book. It's mostly updated, though a little checking by Bates could have prevented the reference to some books as being "probably out of print now."

About the Author

Jefferson D. Bates has served as Editorial Director of the Air Force "Readable Writing" Program, and as the Chief of NASA's speechwriting group. After leaving government service, he became president and CEO of Speak/Write Systems, Inc., a firm specializing in teaching writing and speaking skills. The author of five nonfiction books, he lives in Reston, Virginia.

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
36 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find this writing guide excellent for professionals, helping them write with clarity and correct grammar. They appreciate the book's advice, with one customer noting its wealth of information on various aspects.

Select to learn more

Writing tipsAdvice
10 customers mention "Writing tips"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing tips in the book, particularly its focus on professional guidance and correct grammar, with one customer noting how it helps restructure inaccurate writing habits.

"...You are really a good writer." I tell them that they too can be a good writer if they buy and apply the practices in this book...." Read more

"Excellent writing guide for the professional who is not necessarily a professional writer, but must write on the job frequently to occasionally...." Read more

"...suggestions that are actually more like rules and help to restructure inaccurate habits in writing." Read more

"Good reference to help readers learn to write so there is not any chance of being misunderstood." Read more

7 customers mention "Advice"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful, with one mentioning it covers various aspects and includes practice exercises, while another notes it is particularly geared towards businesspeople and government employees.

"...This book is very helpful in letting me know where I'm doing the right work and where I need some attention...." Read more

"...It has useful suggestions that are actually more like rules and help to restructure inaccurate habits in writing." Read more

"This is a helpful book for people who have to write as part of their job...." Read more

"...that it has a glossary of American idiomatic expressions, chapters with tips on things such as compound words, hyphenation, numeration, and..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reader 2
    5.0 out of 5 stars Small and Brilliant Enough to be a Gem
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2010
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This small book teaches just a few things about writing. But they are the important things and they are taught with grace, style, and wit.

    The organization is such that one can pick the book up, read a chapter, take the knowledge away and use it, and not worry about (or suffer because) one did not read the remaining chapters just yet. At the same time, reading it as a whole is a complete package that makes finishing worthwhile.

    The publisher will tell you that it has a glossary of American idiomatic expressions, chapters with tips on things such as compound words, hyphenation, numeration, and capitalization; and explanations of technical problems encountered in writing and editing. Maybe so, but the main use (I think) is to help writers THINK clearly about what they want to say and to offer guidance on how to get their words to support their communication of those ideas to other people. Reacquaint yourself with the active voice.

    It is not very expensive. If you gain from even one of the ideas it will be worth the price.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Jennifer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Exercise Ever for Clear Writing and Communication
    Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    During the 1970s at least, English majors spend hours in university libraries reading, studying, and writing. While taking a break and wandering the stacks I discovered Zero Base Gobbledigook by Jefferson D. Bates sitting on the shelf and pulled it down. Best example ever for the challenges of clear writing appears on page 106 of Writing With Precision, Bates's updated version.

    The example, a real life announcement, to employees about use of parking lot and cafeteria during a day-long conference is a challenge any writer will appreciate. Back in the old days, a corporation used to publish in its monthly internal magazine jumbled up sentences, sentence fragments, and paragraphs to challenge readers. Bate's book is a delight given it continues to put examples of jumbled up sentences for correction in front of writers and other people who love untangling the English language.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Reba Tilghman
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Title Says It All
    Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is the book that you give to someone who says or writes to you, "I wish I could write as well as you write. You are really a good writer." I tell them that they too can be a good writer if they buy and apply the practices in this book. I took a writing class while employed by the federal government due to my job requiring higher writing skills than I believed I had. This book was THE Class Book that was used and referred to in that 2-day writing course. It changed the way I viewed many aspects of writing, providing a wealth of information on various aspects of becoming a better writer.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • C. Moss
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great help!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I'm a genealogist who is expected to write reports all the time. This book is very helpful in letting me know where I'm doing the right work and where I need some attention.
    He deals with some very good basics but we all need to be reminded of them - or learn them if we didn't back when.
    I'm so glad I found this book. Anyone who writes for a living or for a making a lasting contribution in writing.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Patrick J. Southam
    4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2009
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is a helpful book for people who have to write as part of their job. It is geared mainly toward businesspeople and government employees, who have to write reports, memos, etc. It does have excellent advice and practice exercises for people in those situations.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • DrCindiNP
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for anyone writing
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Good reference to help readers learn to write so there is not any chance of being misunderstood.
    Helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book: Highly Recommend
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Excellent book. I highly recommend it. It has a plethora of ideas on how to write well. In addition, the author provided exercises at the end of each chapter so you can practice what was discussed in the chapter. This one of the very few books on writing I would recommend.
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  • Glenn Gallagher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Precisely Right
    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2006
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Excellent writing guide for the professional who is not necessarily a professional writer, but must write on the job frequently to occasionally. The material, which could have been a little dry and boring, is kept lively by the author's personal anecdotes and witty asides. This writing guide is more complicated than Strunk and White's "Elements of Style", and I don't recommend it for the beginner. Consider adding "Writing with Precision" as the next level of enhancement after reading "Elements of Style" and William Zinsser's "On Writing Well".
    11 people found this helpful
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