This book does not focus extensively on grammar or usage,so most of our comments will address these only indirectly.For excellent grammar advice see Grammar Smart; for excellent usage and writing advice read Strunk and White's The Elements of Style.

Eventually we all have to do it: write a professional letter, research a paper, a proposal, a personal essay...The list goes on and on,and the tasks can often seem overwhelming--especially when you're not sure how to begin.

Organizing your thoughts on paper may seem daunting, but Writing Smartwill walk you through it--from planning your work,constructing an outline, and writing the first few sentences, to editing the text and making the finishing touches. Writing Smart teaches you how to take the stress out of writing, whether you're crafting a tricky business letter or your college application essay.This handy guide includes sections about grammar, writing preparation, editing, personal essays, reviews, articles, essay tests, research papers, professional letters, lab reports, project proposals, and much more.

Introduction

Glossary

Chapter 1: The Briefest Grammar Review in the World

Chapter 2: Getting Ready to Write

Chapter 3: Words, Punctuation, Sentences,and Paragraphs

Chapter 4: Editing

Chapter 5: Personal Essays

Chapter 6: Reviews, Articles, and Essay Tests

Chapter 7: Research Papers

Chapter 8: Professional Letters

Chapter 9: Lab Reports

Chapter 10: Project Proposals

Some Final Words

About the Author