The Practical Stylist: The Classic Guide to Style

by Sheridan Baker

Based on the premise that all writing involves arguing a thesis, this classic, authoritative rhetoric presents the essential tools for writing graceful, persuasive essays. Emphasizing thesis and the structural integrity of the essay, The Practical Stylist provides a variety of organizational techniques to help students create sound essays, while the expository modes such as description, narration, and exposition are presented as strategies for supporting a thesis. Numerous essay models are provided to illustrate the principles of organization and explore the dynamics of language. A research paper chapter discusses online sources and the computerized library, and a brief handbook section provides help with grammar issues.

Genres: Writing, Reference, Nonfiction, Language, Education

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1962

About the author

Sheridan Baker is Professor Emeritus of English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan. He is the author of many works, including The Harper Handbook to Literature, Ernest Hemingway: An Introduction and Interpretation, The Complete Stylist, The Essayist, and The Practical Stylist. He is co-author of The Written Word and The Practical Imagination. He is currently at work on two volumes for the Wesleyan University Press's Works of Fielding.

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Printed Pages and Coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a genuinely wonderful book to read. I followed up on the sixth edition (specifically) upon recommendation in another book - I believe it was Write It Up, by Silvia. This is easy to read: it contains solidly good advice and communicates with simple language.

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Practical Stylist was an assigned text in our High School English classes, but not a bad one.
I'm thinking it was Ken Bell, English faculty at Westminster, c. 1979-1980 who assigned this... but it could well have been another fine teacher. I recall using this style guide as a text at Williston in 1978-9, I think, too... I remember what was good about it was clarity and brevity.
Now I want to find a copy.

[Chris Lockhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and fairly basic book on expository writing, particularly research papers. It covers essential information and does so in a clear and concise way. In this way, the author illustrates principals discussed in the text itself. Also, Sheridan Baker has a talent for clever use of words and writing that makes some points memorable as well as occasionally entertaining.

[Carena · Rating 1 out of 5]

We are reading this for my comp. class. I absolutely loathe it :(
Finally done...can I burn it now?

[Jeff Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first class guide on how to write well.