Edit Yourself: A Manual for Everyone Who Works with Words

This manual is not a replacement for any edition of Strunk and White. Think of it as a more-specific, complementary volume to buy alongside it. The first half of the book is divided into chapters on specific problem areas. The last half is an alphabetical index of problem words and phrases, many of them highly annotated. Skilled writers likely will identify one or more ways to be brief and concise, or to be clearer. College freshmen, who must become writers, require these two books ("The Elements of Style," "Edit Yourself") to transform poorly-articulated good ideas into coherent written thought. Fundamentals of writing are poorly and inconsistently transmitted in U.S. high schools today. Either of these volumes is worthy of consideration as supplemental texts in an advanced high school writing class.It is hardly worth mentioning, but I should note that "Edit Yourself" is highly affordable, whether bought new or used. Try reading it over breakfast for a couple of weeks. It will put you miles ahead of colleagues expressing ideas of the form, "It is my informed opinion that..." followed by several abortively deployed three-syllable words.

After reading this I immediately noticed the bloated text that sprang from my hand and springs forth from the hands of writers claiming to be professionals. With practice, you can write more clearly and cut the size of your works at the same time. I gave one to all my kids.

Interesting and helpful resource, although I did not agree with all the word changes. Overall, I enjoyed the whole book. I did agree with many word changes the author suggests. He provides a long list of "comparison words." Overall, I think it is useful and will help writers and editors think about cutting down on wordiness. Quick lessons are also provided throughout the guide and are relevant.

I liked this book so much I bought another for my managing editor. It's quick, succinct and easy to follow. Particularly useful is the author's list of substitutes for overused words such as "utilize," -- a word I'd never use(shoot me if you see it!), but which a lot of would-be writers do. I bought my copy used and I'm sure I'll be getting a newer copy soon; I'm constantly looking something up. If you edit yourself or other people, "Edit Yourself" belongs on your desk, right next to Strunk and White.

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.

This is a very practical book. I have used it to tidy up my writing. I have recommended it to friends and I bought a copy for my son.

I got this book to help me write more effectively in my dissertation, but I think the material would be useful for many different types of writing. The book does an excellent job of providing both general and specific advice on self-editing, with the overall goal of developing a more concise writing style. The suggestions are not simply stated however, and the pages are filled with many examples of how to implement the improvements.

This book for many years has been a staple for writing. There is a reason; it is indispensable for making sentences precise and less wordy. If you are writing a dissertation or preparing a manuscript for publishing this is a resource you must have.

Excellent little book to help you write reports, term papers...whatever. Get it!

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

Great academic aid.

Great!