Edit Yourself - A manual for everyone who works with words

This is a handy, concise, and easy-to-use book. In it, Bruce Ross-Larson teaches you how to become a stronger writer. Drawing upon his experience as a professional editor, the author provides a long list of crutch words and phrases, that is, words and phrases that are often overused and that weaken one's writing. He then suggests replacements used by professional writers and journalists. Every aspiring writer should own a copy.

As a professional editor, I rely on many tools. I consistently return to Ross-Larson's book because it is thorough while being easy to use. I can find what I want fast. I particularly like his list of word substitutes: after reading "in addition to" and "in view of the fact that" a hundered times, I forget the simple substitutes. Ross-Larson's book consistently brings me out of the engineering woods.

I am a professor in a business school. I have recommended this book (and its previous edition) for more than ten years to students who want to improve their writing.

If you want to make your writing clear and concise, you will find it hard to beat this book as a desk reference. It is well organized, easy to use, and concise. The book is itself a great example of good writing.

Do you forget when to use "although" and "while"? Do you forget to avoid using rhetorical questions in your writing? (Oops!) This book has an alphabetically organized list of common errors. You can look under "although" or "while" to find the rules for choosing between these words.

After reading thousands of student papers, correspondence from businesspersons, and memos from faculty, I am convinced that the single thing a writer can do to improve his or her writing is to avoid passive voice. This book has a clear definition of passive voice with examples and guidance on how to avoid falling into this rut. It also points out the few situations in which a writer would want to use passive voice intentionally.

The book is well organized and useful to a wide range of writers. Truly terrible writers will find that the book can help them move their writing up a notch. Mediocre writers can find one or two things in the book that they can change about their writing and become good writers. Good writers will find the book dog-eared in a short time as they look up rules when they know a rule exists but they cannot quite remember what the rule says.

I have worn out two copies of this book. It's great.

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.

I use it constantly. Its brief, to the point, and I refer to it constantly.