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Subject:FYI: writing/grammar book From:"Matthew B. Hicks" <matt -at- UNIDATA -dot- UCAR -dot- EDU> Date:Mon, 27 Feb 1995 09:29:08 -0700
The following was forwarded to me by one of our techies. I haven't seen
the book myself, but it sounds like it might be the perfect gift for that
programmer or engineer who needs a refresher on what makes a good
sentence. It might also be good just to have a copy lying around the
office. Anyway, just thought I'd alert folks to its presence.
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Matt Hicks, Tech. Writer, Unidata * I may not agree with what you
Boulder, CO, (303)497-8676, ******* say, but I'll defend to the
matt -at- unidata -dot- ucar -dot- edu ************* death my right to mock you.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 27 Feb 95 09:11:19 -0700
From: Mitch Baltuch <mitch -at- unidata -dot- ucar -dot- edu>
To: matt -at- unidata -dot- ucar -dot- edu
Subject: you might like this
>Date: Wed, 22 Feb 1995 18:01:13 -0500 (EST)
>From: Bob Donegan <bobd -at- aw -dot- com>
>Subject: *BUGS in Writing: A Guide to Debugging Your Prose*, by Lyn Dupre
*BUGS in Writing: A Guide to Debugging Your Prose*, by Lyn Dupre
ISBN: 0-201-60019-6 $19.95 (price subject to change), 649 pp., paperback
[And WHAT, might you ask, does this have to do with RISKS? Well,
can you think of any bugs in computer systems that have resulted
from bugs in writing? We've seen quite a few in RISKS. And
besides, this is a terrific book. PGN]
*BUGS in Writing*, written with verve and wit, may be the first book on
writing that people read for sheer fun. Unlike traditional style manuals,
which present huge hierarchical rules bases (and which hardly make for
amusing reading), *BUGS* presents an alternative, intuitive way of looking
at written language that is based on the concept of ear: the ability to
hear, without analysis, whether a given work order, sentence, or term is
correct. *BUGS* explores problems that writers face, and explains how to
rid your prose of these bugs.
Designed for easy browsing, *BUGS* comprises 150 independent and easily
digestible segments, resembling a daily newspaper column and presented with
an unusual, appealing, inviting design. Dupre not only tells you about good
writing -- she also demonstrates it for you, conveying simple principles for
lucid writing by numerous, intriguing, and frequently hilarious examples
that are classified with the bugs system: Bad, Ugly, Good, or Splendid.
*BUGS* was developed for anyone who writes and who works with computers,
including computer and other scientists, students, professors, business
people, programmers, and technical writers. Rather than subjecting yourself
to the pain and tedium of wading through a reference book on English
grammar, you can pick up *BUGS*; you will immediately find yourself browsing
interesting and amusing material. While you are enjoying yourself, you will
be tuning your ear. As a result, you will write lucid prose that
communicates your ideas.
