Write Rite Right: An Imperative Sentence

Bill Moore
iUniverse (2006)
ISBN 0595363075
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (10/06)

“Write Rite Right” is a great book for everyone who writes for others to read.  It is a compendium of homonyms, homophones, and frequently misspelled words.  When you write, your written word represents you to all who read, and those readers may be people you would like to impress such as an employer, superior, teacher, and the world.  If being trusted and respected is important, you certainly do not want poor word choices, grammar, and irregular syntax to pull you down.  Author Bill Moore shares with us his belief that being able to write well is the stamp of a professional, and it also is a sign of respect for your reader and the language.

Part I of “Write Rite Right” is entitled “Words, Words, Words,” and is an alphabetical list of troublesome words and how they should be most properly used.  The book should not be used as a dictionary, however, for the definitions are deliberately succinct.  I can guarantee that everyone will find useful and relevant information here.  My personal nemesis, correctly using effect and affect, is included and given thorough attention.  Other variant types of entries you will find include a few frequently misapplied abbreviations, such as etc., and some often egregiously misused words such as loan and other non-words such as alot.

Part II is entitled “Pronouns and Apostrophes,” and gives a brief discussion on how to use these simple but confusing words correctly.  Distinguishing between a subjective and an objective pronoun is the key, and Bill Moore explains it well.  He goes on to discuss the proper usage of apostrophes, probably the most misused of all marks. 

I thoroughly and without reservation recommend this book for EVERYONE.  Whether one writes often or only occasionally, this book is a necessity on every desk.  If you enjoy words as much as I do, you will find this to be a very fun book to peruse and share with others.  It can be a great conversation starter with others who share the enthusiasm of word knowledge.  I found “Write Rite Right” to be much more than a reference book; it is entertainment.

Make comment on weblog

but this book button