This is an engaging and practical introduction to the elements of grammar, sentence structure, and style that you need 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 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.
Biography
Roslyn Petelin designed and initiated the award-winning 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.
‘Petelin’s unparalleled experience as a writing teacher and corporate consultant shines through this highly readable and practical handbook. I highly recommend this wonderful book to all writers―in education, government, business, creative, and journalistic worlds.’
Dr Cindy Sing-Bik Ngai, Associate Professor, Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
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"Its potential use is not restricted to educators and researchers, but, for me, as a non-native English speaker and junior researcher, working with Roslyn Petelin’s book helped me to master the standards required of various genres within academic writing. This book is a good starting point for researchers who are exposed to an English writing environment for the first time and is likely to help them to enhance their writing efficacy."
Jie Liu, Educatinal Review
