It begins with the building blocks of writing. Grammar is explained from nouns through to the dangling participle. Good clear examples are provided to help increase understanding. Punctuation is next with large sections on comma usage, the quotation marks, and hyphens. The extended table of examples on comma use is very helpful and easy to understand.

Very short sections on spelling and sentence structure follow, with more of an emphasis on not believing your spell-checker and keeping your sentences short or properly structured.

A section on persuasive writing is interesting, although short. It follows on from points made under sentence structure but provides additional examples of both active and passive persuasive writing.

The book then touches upon the use of numbers. It briefly describes averages, aggregates and percentages and how they should be displayed, and how they can be misconstrued.

A large section on words and their meanings gives wonderful examples of jargon, vogue words, waffle, Malapropism’s, Colloquialism’s, dead and dying words, vulgarity and the use of labels.

The book assumes a grasp of all previous concepts to this point and moves onto the creation of essay’s, assignments, and letters. It covers quotations, avoiding plagiarism and the basics in citation.

Lastly it provides common-sense tips for a range of things writers are notoriously bad with including time management, and the meanings of similar words.

I would recommend this book as a basic guide to all older writers who are looking for an inexpensive resource to help them gain a handle on the building blocks of writing.