Table Of Content

Praise for the previous edition: ‘How Writing Works is the opposite of a dry writing bible. For those who take the time to read and follow the strategies, good writer or bad, you will be rewarded with the ultimate writing resource’. Writing Queensland ‘What Roslyn Petelin doesn’t know about clear, precise writing is not worth knowing’. Leigh Sales, ABC TV ‘A superb guide to great writing in the modern media era’. Phil Harding, journalist and broadcaster, London ‘Whether you’re a CEO or an intern, the ability to communicate is your biggest asset. Petelin’s expert advice in this book will accelerate your career’. Damian Kington, Investor, Brand Consultant, and Strategy Adviser, New York ‘It’s time for a new President for the Republic of Writing: Petelin’s book will win her subjects from students to experienced professionals electing to learn why writing is so vital and to follow her lively learning pathways on how to do it elegantly, vividly, and with precision.’ David McKie, Professor, Waikato Management School ‘How Writing Works will be invaluable for all students from undergraduate to doctoral level, especially as a guide to the construction of robust and coherent argument.’ Margo Blythman, Former Director of Teaching and Learning, University of the Arts, London ‘How Writing Works will be an enormous support for undergraduates and postgraduates who want to be the best writers possible. It will also help to prepare them for success in the communication industries, whether as author, editor, publicist or publisher.’ Jeri Kroll, Professor of English and Creative Writing, Flinders University ‘Roslyn Petelin is the best of the best in teaching clear, readable writing. This book will improve the writing of everyone who reads it.’ Lelia Green, Professor of Communications, Edith Cowan University How Writing Works This is an engaging and broad-ranging introduction to the elements of grammar, sentence structure, and style that will help you to write well across a range of academic, creative, and professional contexts, deftly combining practical strategies with scholarly principles. The second edition includes updated material based on a longstanding commitment to writing and to best international practice. It includes advice on reading; language; grammar and style; structuring; designing; paragraphing; punctuation; workplace and academic documents; digital writing for social media; and revising, editing, and proofreading. How Writing Works should be on the desk of everyone who needs to write: students, professionals in all fields, and creative writers. It is an essential handbook for working writers and writing workers in the contemporary writing-reliant workplace. The accompanying companion website includes links to video interviews and presentations from leading grammarians including Professor David Crystal and Professor Geoff Pullum, in addition to online quizzes and activities to support readers’ learning. Roslyn Petelin designed and initiated the award-winning postgraduate Program in Writing, Editing, and Publishing at the University of Queensland, Australia, and developed the hugely successful international online course WRITE101X English Grammar and Style. She is co-author of The Professional Writing Guide and Professional Communication, and consults extensively to government and other organisations on writing, editing, and information design. How Writing Works A Field Guide to Effective Writing Second Edition Roslyn Petelin Second edition published 2022 by Routledge 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 and by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2022 Roslyn Petelin The right of Roslyn Petelin to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. First edition published by Allen & Unwin 2016 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record has been requested for this book ISBN: 978-1-032-01630-6 (hbk) ISBN: 978-1-032-01628-3 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-003-17934-4 (ebk) DOI: 10.4324/9781003179344 Typeset in ITC Giovanni Std by Apex CoVantage, LLC Access the companion website: www.routledge.com/cw/petelin This book is dedicated to my dear friend Professor Linda K. Fuller of Worcester State University, Massachusetts, whom I can always rely on to produce perfect prose. And to Robbie and Claudia of Henley, whom I can always rely on to produce perfect handwriting. Contents Prefacexii CHAPTER 1 How writing works1 Writing in our contemporary information societ1y What is writing?2 Vocation or avocation?3 Writing in the workplace4 The writing-thinking-learning connection5 Keeping a journal7 Inspiration for journalling9 Writing as a problem-solving process 10 Getting started 12 Producing writing worth reading 12 What characterises good writers? 13ix The last word 14 Activities 14 Further reading 17 CHAPTER 2 How reading works 18 Why read? 18 How does reading help writing? 19 Writing for your readers 20 Reading in the workplace 24 Structuring writing for reading 29 Reading critically 30 The last word 32 Activities 34 Further reading 36 CHAPTER 3 How words work 37 Using words well 37 Taking words seriously: Style, voice, and tone 41 Choosing words wisely 45 Spoken communication 64 The last word 65 Activities 65 Further reading 67