How to Say It: Choice Words, Phrases, Sentences, and Paragraphs for Every Situation, Revised Edition

by Rosalie Maggio

Provides lists of words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs that help letter writers know what to say and how to say it when writing such letters as cover letters, fundraising letters, invitations, and refusals.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Writing, Communication, Business, Self Help, Language

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[April Brown]

What ages would I recommend it too? – Twelve and up.

Length? – Resource, based on necessary chapters needed at the time.

Setting? – 1990's and previous.

Written approximately? – 1990.

Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Needs an updated version to cover email and internet etiquette.

Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? Yes.
1. Updates to cover email letters.
2. updates for blog, web, and major social site messaging.

Short storyline:
This resource covers many types of letters, how to write them, what to say, and what not to say.

What I would like to see: More information on letters to editors, agents, publishers, web site designers, graphic designers, and book marketers. Even letters to your favorite author would be nice.

Notes for the reader:
1. A good, if slightly outdated resource.
2. Watch out for the cliches. Know when to use them, and when not to. They can be good classifiers, and yet they can be boring.

[John Nelson]

A highly dated and not very substantive manual on the art of writing letters. Highly dated because it was published in 1990 and written correspondence has changed so much since then, especially with the advent of e-mail. Not very substantive because what it teaches could be summed up in just a few sentences - use clear language, get right to the point, and tailor what you say to the information the reader needs to hear.

[Naliza Fahro-Rozi]

Excellent reference book for non-native English speakers!

[Ed Schaefer]

Very useful reference for how to write letters and correspondence, may even be useful for thinking through conversations. Appreciated the examples, but my favorite aspects were keywords and what not to say.

[Chelsea Jewell]

I love giving this book to high school and college graduates. What a helpful resource it is for life!

[Donnita Simmons]

A great resource to write letters

[Ayaan Shah]

It’s a good reference guide, but kind of obsolete now that we have the internet.

[Lisa]

I keep this book as a reference book to assist me in writing letters and emails.

[Preston]

Mostly outdated.

[Adrienna]

How to Say It is a book that has different letters that you may have to write such as wedding reception or announcements, references, resumes, and other letters that you may use in for work; home; relationships; or salutations. This book isn't a book to read per se, but to find which ones you can use for special circumstances or events.

This would have been a resourceful book when I worked at WAMU in the E-care dept., where we had to write email correspondence to customers all the time. We had to use choice words and phrases all the time.

The only downfall, this book was copy-written in 1990, and not sure if these recommendations are still reusable today in 2013. I reviewed the resume sample, and most resumes would prefer bullets not paragraphs as suggested here.

Dad sent the book as a gift to help. I also looked a references with resume section since seeking employment and willing to take some choice words advised.

[Laura]

still plowing thru, this is a reference tool more than a book to read from front to back which I find challenging. Again the main library staff has graciously allowed an exception to the renewal period so I can keep working on reading this. I'm not sure if it is completely relevant in 2013, but imagine it being in a bottom drawer of many experienced & long time executive secretaries & personal assistants.

[Lance]

If you are like me and always seem to struggle to find the right words, then this book is for you. I covers all kids of day-to-day correspondence, from thank you letters to recommendations to letters of complaint. A great addition to your reference library.

[Jaime]

This book can be your trusty sword and shield in almost every social interaction or speaking event. It well-researched, written, and organized and has phrases and form letters for any event or situation. I have used its lessons many times.

[Beth Shields-Szostak]

office

[Marcie]

This book was really helpful!

[Vr Murty]

Good

[Max]

This book is indispensable. I use it to fight procrastination when writing letters or find the right words when delivering a difficult message.

[L]

Some helpful tips and phrases and a splash of fun quotes.

[Pankaj Verma]

Rosalie Maggio

[Kendel Christensen]

Definitely dated, but it gave me a few solid ideas on great words, phrases, and approaches that are underused.

[Aisha Adnan]

لم أقراه كاملاً و لكنه فعال .

[Ginger Heskett]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14341357

[Misbah]

Tips on how to do many different types of writing. Good book to read through maybe once if you have trouble writing everyday letters and notes.