Your Own Words: The Bestselling Author of Word Court Explains How to Decipher Decipher the Dictionary, Master the Usage Manual, and Be
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
If you have a language question, where do you go for the answer? How do you keep proper syntax from sounding stiff, and, on the other hand, how do you keep conversational language from being embarrassingly incorrect? Barbara Wallraff, the author of The Atlantic's Word Court column, offers answers to these crucial questions. On one level, Your Own Words is a guide to using and understanding language references--dictionaries, thesauruses, stylebooks, usage guides, grammars, writing guides, and the Internet--with emphasis on how the different kinds of resources can help you answer different kinds of questions. On a deeper level, however, Your Own Words is about how to make good form your own. It helps you turn these various, often contradictory references into the tools that every experienced and confident user of language needs.In the world of language commentary, Barbara Wallraff offers an unequaled combination of authority, accessibility, and popularity. Her book shows you how to develop a genuine style that's both correct and personal-a style that expresses you at your best. Illuminated throughout with anecdotes and selections from the Word Court columns, Your Own Words does what very few books on usage even attempt: It shows every reader--amateur, professional, student, or graduate--how to think about what goes into good style. I think her judgment is flawless. I never disagree with her. --Jack Miles, author of God: A Biography
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:1582432821
ISBN13:9781582432823
Release Date:March 2004
Publisher:Counterpoint LLC
Length:288 Pages
Weight:1.00 lbs.
Dimensions:0.9" x 6.1" x 8.5"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Indispensable
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
For a serious writer or editor, this is an essential book. I keep it close by my dictionary, thesaurus, Chicago Manual, Garner, and Fowler's (the 2nd edition, of course, not the awful 3rd). Your Own Words is, as another reviewer aptly noted, a meta-reference, the one that allows me to find my way around the others and answer grammar and usage questions for myself. (I never, for instance, would have thought of using Google News as a usage guide.) The many selections from Wallraff's Atlantic Monthly column are a welcome bonus.
An important new resource
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
What a terrific addition to my reference shelf! Wallraff's book supplies not only the entertaining and helpful answers about language we've all learned to expect after years of reading her Word Court column in the Atlantic, but also information I've never found elsewhere about how to find answers for ourselves when she's not around.Your Own Words raises the value of all the other style guides, usage manuals, and dictionaries on your shelf by teaching you how to use those references (and many, many others) to best advantage, and she does it with her usual grace and good humor.One of my favorite things about this volume: Wallraff gives both long and short explanations of her subject matter. Breaking the basics out in a distinct typeface, she gives you a choice of skimming the book for entertainment and some basics, or digging in deep for more information than you ever knew existed. As an editor, I think Wallraff's book is an essential new resource, but it's also a wonderful treat for anyone who loves language and just wants exceptionally readable insights into the craft of writing, editing, and research.
A great little meta-reference book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
This gem of a book not only provides sound advice on language-related reference books (dictionaries, thesauri, usage and style guides, etc.) but it also answers many usage questions itself. And it's fun to read, being based on the popular Ms. Grammar columns in The Atlantic Monthly and syndicated in newspapers across the country. I got so enthused about language after I read this book that I went out and upgraded my language reference library. Now I'm ready for anything!
Invaluable for writers - and teachers
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
As a high school teacher, I've enjoyed Ms. Wallraff's newspaper column - and wondered how she accumulated the resources to answer the language questions posed and with such grace, tact and knowledge. Now I have an inkling, in this book, and it is a long-overdue and welcome companion in my classroom.
Insightful, decisive - and amusing
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
As a writer and speaker, I've often hesitated in choosing the right words and phrases, so as not to be misunderstood. And often turned to a favorite dictionary or reference book unquestioningly. What a surprise and shock to learn from Your Own Words how naive I've have been when I should have known more about the books I was using - and trusting. And how things like Google can do a better job of helping than some well-regarded language references and experts.This is a fascinating, thoughtful, insightful and at times downright amusing look at the way we write, speak - and decide how to do both. As well as deciding which language reference books are worth having and using. Money well spent.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
