Your Own Words: The Bestselling Author of Word Court Explains How to Decipher Decipher the Dictionary, Master the Usage Manual, and Be

by Barbara Wallraff

Book Overview

If you have a language question, where do you go for the answer? How do you keep proper syntax from sounding stiff, and, on the other hand, how do you keep conversational language from being embarrassingly incorrect?

Barbara Wallraff, the author of The Atlantic's Word Court column, offers answers to these crucial questions. On one level, Your Own Words is a guide to using and understanding language references--dictionaries,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582432821
• ISBN13: 9781582432823
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Counterpoint LLC
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Indispensable

For a serious writer or editor, this is an essential book. I keep it close by my dictionary, thesaurus, Chicago Manual, Garner, and Fowler's (the 2nd edition, of course, not the awful 3rd). Your Own Words is, as another reviewer aptly noted, a meta-reference, the one that allows me to find my way around the others and answer grammar and usage questions for myself. (I never, for instance, would have thought of using Google News as a usage guide.) The many selections from Wallraff's Atlantic Monthly column are a welcome bonus.

An important new resource

What a terrific addition to my reference shelf! Wallraff's book supplies not only the entertaining and helpful answers about language we've all learned to expect after years of reading her Word Court column in the Atlantic, but also information I've never found elsewhere about how to find answers for ourselves when she's not around.Your Own Words raises the value of all the other style guides, usage manuals, and dictionaries on your shelf by teaching you how to use those references (and many, many others) to best advantage, and she does it with her usual grace and good humor.One of my favorite things about this volume: Wallraff gives both long and short explanations of her subject matter. Breaking the basics out in a distinct typeface, she gives you a choice of skimming the book for entertainment and some basics, or digging in deep for more information than you ever knew existed. As an editor, I think Wallraff's book is an essential new resource, but it's also a wonderful treat for anyone who loves language and just wants exceptionally readable insights into the craft of writing, editing, and research.

A great little meta-reference book

This gem of a book not only provides sound advice on language-related reference books (dictionaries, thesauri, usage and style guides, etc.) but it also answers many usage questions itself. And it's fun to read, being based on the popular Ms. Grammar columns in The Atlantic Monthly and syndicated in newspapers across the country. I got so enthused about language after I read this book that I went out and upgraded my language reference library. Now I'm ready for anything!

Invaluable for writers - and teachers

As a high school teacher, I've enjoyed Ms. Wallraff's newspaper column - and wondered how she accumulated the resources to answer the language questions posed and with such grace, tact and knowledge. Now I have an inkling, in this book, and it is a long-overdue and welcome companion in my classroom.

Insightful, decisive - and amusing

As a writer and speaker, I've often hesitated in choosing the right words and phrases, so as not to be misunderstood. And often turned to a favorite dictionary or reference book unquestioningly. What a surprise and shock to learn from Your Own Words how naive I've have been when I should have known more about the books I was using - and trusting. And how things like Google can do a better job of helping than some well-regarded language references and experts.This is a fascinating, thoughtful, insightful and at times downright amusing look at the way we write, speak - and decide how to do both. As well as deciding which language reference books are worth having and using. Money well spent.