In an age where communication has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry, having “The Write Stuff” is no longer a skill limited to just journalists, authors and other communication professionals but is has become essential to everyday life. Writing well is a skill that any and everyone should possess.

In fact, it is a skill that has been placed within reach for anyone who feels the need to master their writing. The release of the third edition of Pharos’ “The Write Stuff” style guide makes all this possible.

The English language is dynamic and as such, the authors of this style guide believe that the rules surrounding the language should evolve with it. They do caution however that not all trends within the English language are correct. “If negative trends are practiced by enough people enough of the time, they will, unfortunately, become idiomatic to those with limited discernment.”

“The Write Stuff” serves as an aid in distinguishing between the positive and negative trends that exist within the English language amongst a number of other uncertainties.

The content of the book is arranged alphabetically so that any of the various tips and topics covered in the book are easily accessible.

Do you have any idea what ‘absolutes’ and ‘intensifiers’ are, as well as when to choose one over the other? What about ‘oronyms’? And when “when does one refer to ‘queries’ and when to ‘enquiries’?” Well the answers to all that, and more, can be found and is explained in this style guide.

As a writer and editor, the struggle between American and British English is one that I face on a daily basis and having this guide handy has saved me from many a headache. The same goes for finding a way around clichés, foreign words and phrases and the modern-day usage of figures of speech and certain punctuation marks.

The Write Stuff style guide is a well-researched and informative necessity that has earned pride of place in my collection and will be put to use on a daily basis.

“It has been said that language is the only true democracy – it belongs to all of us! So cherish and protect what is yours for it will serve you well.” – DJ Dykman, JDU Geldenhuys and EE Viljoen-Smook.

The book is available from R180.00 from Exclusive Books, Kalahari and Loot

Also visit the Pharos website for more reference books and updates.

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