完全写作指南:从提笔就怕到什么都能写

by Laura Brown, 劳拉·布朗, 袁婧 (translator)

哥伦比亚大学教师三十年教学经验锤炼而成，

人手必备的实用写作宝典，二百余个写作模板即学即用

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※编辑推荐※

如何在最紧急的情况下，快速写出一封能切实解决问题的商务致歉信？如何在毫无准备的情况下，顺利写出一篇精彩而鼓舞人心的演讲稿？如何在阻力重重的环境中，轻松写出一份让人过目不忘的简历？无论你打算写什么，本书都给出了最简单、直接的建议，明确每种文体的特点、合理规划写作路径、精准掌握读者的心理，本书将颠覆你的写作思维，重塑你的写作习惯！

………………

※媒体推荐※

这是一本绝对实用的写作指南。如果你在工作或生活中需要用文字传递信息，那毫无疑问，你需要这本书。

——伯恩特·施密特 哥伦比亚大学商学院教授

必须说，这是一本值得拥有的参考书！对写好商业邮件、投诉信、道歉信等等方面，布朗提供了简单而直接的建议。在每个案例旁加上“怎样做”和“不要做”版块的确相当有用。

——娱乐周刊

劳拉·布朗写出了一本终极写作指南，旨在让你的写作变得更简洁凝练、更有说服力，更具沟通性。学生、商务人士，甚至是经验丰富的专业作家都应该随时带着这本书，它和字典、辞典同等重要。

——米歇尔·斯内尔 文学代理人，作家

《完全写作指南》是在这个数字通信如此发达的时代中，我所看到的第一本指向写作核心的书。书中的讲解适合每一个人。

——玛丽·奥尔森 数字商务设计与开发先锋

作为一个有三十年教学经验的写作教师，我非常了解年轻写作者们的需求。劳拉·布朗回答了最困难的问题：关于怎样开始写作，怎样针对目标读者调整技艺，怎样充实简单的内容，怎样精通表达与辩论。

——罗杰·马赫妮 帕萨迪纳市立学院助理教授

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※内容简介※

希望投资人资助你开展一个特别项目，应该怎样写一封具有说服力的电子邮件？准备申请大学，如何才能写出一篇引人注目的自我陈述？同事的母亲去世了，怎样用最好的方式表达你的哀悼之情？

无论科技多么进步，即时通讯变得多么快速便捷，用文字进行交流和表达永远是现代人必须掌握的技能。但不可否认的是，很多人在摊平稿纸、打开电脑准备“写作”的时候，却常常感到思维混乱，不知从何开始。

这本《完全写作指南》告诉我们，只要思路清晰、流程顺畅、有好的方法和习惯，写作并不是困难的事。本书从写作的核心——写作思维入手，分析每一种实用写作的思维要点，以读者的角度反观写作的关键。按照作者所精心规划的写作流程，只要经过“确定写作目标、深度了解读者、展开头脑风暴、组织结构、打初稿、修改”这六个步骤，无论多棘手的写作难题，都能够得到顺利解决。通过阅读本书，读者能真正学会如何进行清晰、简洁、得体的写作。同时，本书更总结了二百多个方便参照、易于使用的写作模板，囊括了工作、学习、个人生活的方方面面，可以随查随用，让你真正做到“从提笔就怕到什么都能写”。

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Self Help, Reference, Language, School, Professional Development

496 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2014

About the author

Laura Brown, PhD, has taught writing to just about everyone—from corporate executives to high school students. Her expertise encompasses instructor-led training, individual coaching, classroom teaching, and e-learning development. She has more than twenty-five years’ experience providing training and coaching in business writing, and she has also taught composition and literature at Columbia University. She lives in New York.

Reviews

[Eustacia Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many times do we have to write?

The answer is many. We write text messages, emails, and even the occasional letter (I love getting letters by the way!)

But how do we know if we're writing the same thing? If you're me, you probably had a test called "Situational Writing" in school, which tested you on writing the appropriate letter (For example a complaint).

That's actually a really useful English test, but it's not enough. There are tons of situations and letters that we need to write and the school doesn't have enough time to teach us. This is where How To Write Anything comes in.

I tried reading it in one go, for the review, and I discovered one thing: This is more of a reference book than anything. Read Section 1, which talks about the elements of writing: Purpose, Understanding your reader, Brainstorm, Organise, Draft and Revise. Think of it as the crash course in writing.

After that, keep the book as a reference guide. Section II is for "e-writing", basically emails and anything done on a smartphone and a tablet. Section III is the encyclopedia of almost two hundred writing situations that you may encounter. Many situations come with a good and bad example (some only have a good example) and tips for how to write. Students who have situation writing, you may want to read through this.

As a reference book, I think this book does the job pretty well. It won't teach you to be a writer of fiction, but it will help you write well enough to coast through daily life.

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)

RATING: 4 STARS

I have not really read the entire book as this is more of a reference guide than a book to read cover to cover. I have not really touched the "school" writing section as I have not been a student for quite a while, and am hoping I never have to write a school essay again! I have mostly been reading the other two sections - work and personal. This book is great for any person that writes (or has to write) as it the perfect reference for any kind of writing. I really like the eBook, and hope to get a hard copy as well.

[Marcus Kazmierczak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first section has good practical advice on a writing process that is flexible enough for any sort of writing. The gist is the major steps — Purpose, Reader, Brainstorm, Organize, Draft, and Revise — can be done in any order and often many times for the same writing.

The second section on e-writing feels a little dated, written in 2014, or just common sense now. The content is still thoughtful and relevant.

The first two sections are 45 pages, the remaining 500 pages of the book are examples and advice on the many many types of writing; from topics such as Thank you letters, and Wedding toasts to Fighting a parking ticket and Sales Proposals. I glanced through this section it's good, but more of a reference for specific situations.

I checked the book out from our library, but I wanted my own copy to keep for reference, so I ordered myself a used copy.

Now what's it say about book reviews...

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

READ IN ENGLISH

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

I think that if you'll ever need to write anything in your life -which is very likely indeed- it will be very unlikely you'll not find how to write it in this book. That are so many entries in the book. Even things I never imagined you could write; like a divorce letter (and a response to one).

I think it's a good reference book if you need to write something but you don't feel to comfortable to do it on your own. However some things are repeated a lot (like that you should not write things online you don't want everyone to know; which is good advise of course, but is repeated in all entries on e-writing), and other things sound a bit more like a joke than serious advise (like: you don't NEED to write about flowers when writing a love letter. You don't say?!). But overall quite useful.

[Rod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a well-crafted and very useful resource for any number of writing projects. The title, however, is something of a misnomer: It should probably read "How To Write Anything IN A BUSINESS CONTEXT". Creative writing is not covered here -- there are no "How to write a novel" or "How to write a screenplay" sections. However, for what there IS here it is highly useful and highly recommended .

[Albert Zhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even it is good to second language learner to practice writing skills and to enrich basic knowledge of English-based communication tips, minimising the misunderstanding relating to different cultures.

[Jus · Rating 3 out of 5]

“How to write anything - A complete guide” by Laura Brown, was a good read. It wasn’t relevant for what I was looking for. However saying that it would be useful for someone who has finished school. The writer gives good examples of what you should write and shouldn’t. The Do’s and the don’t(s). It even covers social media - offer real value. Covers the areas: finding your purpose, process of e-writing, the technology revolution, writing in your personal life, such as eulogies, birth, obituaries, weddings, personal business, community life, writing at school and work, public relations etc.

[Sara Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this from NetGalley to review.

This is a handy how-to, and it helps you figure out how to write just about anything. From thank you notes, to novels, if you want to write something and need some help, this is the book for you.

Since it was a how-to, I didn't read each one, but I picked through enough to know that the advice is sound. And while I'm not one that usually has issues with writing, I found that I might keep it around, just in case.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Everyone who writes, which is to say everyone, should own a copy. It starts with an easy to follow pattern for all writing and then goes on to include a specific outline for how to write literally everything from a thank you note, to an angry note to your neighbor, for real. Great book!

[B & A & F]

I read this book out of curiosity because it tries to teach you very very specific types of writing, the types you wouldn't usually consider "writing", e.g. say hi to your neighbor. I leaved through it and it's kinda entertaining in some parts...

[Sandra Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful reference book about how to write anything from thank you notes to resignation letters. It is definitely going on my personal bookshelf.


My Review

[Matthew William · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quite exhaustive. Although I've never written a collections letter. I did find it funny that a book about writing anything would have so many typos and grammatical mistakes. Maybe that was by design!!

[David Kinchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW: 'How to Write Anything: When Laura Brown Says 'Anything', She Means 'Anything'


REVIEWED BY DAVID M. KINCHEN

Laura Brown's "How to Write Anything: A Complete Guide' (W.W. Norton, 608 pages, index, $35.00) is the most comprehensive guide to writing I've seen. I wish the book had been available when I was in college more than 50 years ago.

As it happened, I was blessed with wonderful English teachers in both high school and college -- teachers who inspired me to major in English, which led me to take up journalism as a profession.

Brown shows the reader how to write everything: from letters of complaint, thank you notes, invitations of all kinds, speeches, cover letters for resumes, letters of recommendations, college essays, even book reviews.

I liked the way she included examples of poor writing -- "Don't do this" -- along with much better examples: "Do this."

She also includes writing by contributors, including college students. Yes, the book would be an ideal gift to any student.

I've written about the need for classic style books, like Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elem...), but that classic, published in 1959, needs to be supplemented by a book for the age of the Internet. Brown's book is the best I've seen for today's writer.

"How to Write Anything" has more than two hundred how-to entries and easy-to-use models organized into three comprehensive sections on work, school, and personal life.

It's a book that's written in a style that's friendly and supportive. I've given a few speeches in my time and I agree with her statement that this activity is one of life's scariest experiences! In the speechwriting section (pages 408-412), she gives great advice on how to write the speech that's tailored to your audience, how to practice it before you get up on that platform (am I scaring you enough?) and how to have a friend critique it. In fact, having somebody you respect critique your writing is a great idea.

Let's say you're applying for college. Brown shows how to write application essays that will stand out. Somebody is hogging the parking in your neighborhood, blocking your driveway. Brown shows how to write a note for the offender's windshield that won't end up with your tires slashed. A neighbor persists in putting out his garbage containers days before the scheduled pickup. Brown shows how to write the proper note.

PowerPoint presentations are one of the most common tools in business, and Brown has spot-on suggestions on how to write effective PowerPoint slide copy. On point she mentions deserves singling out: Just because your Mac or PC has dozens of type fonts, don't make the mistake of using too many in a slide.

"How to Write Anything" is at once a how-to guide and a reference book. No matter how long you've been writing, you can always improve you work and Laura Brown has just the book for you.

[Miriam Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my full review here: http://mimi-cyberlibrarian.blogspot.c...

Where was How to Write Anything when I was getting started as a self-taught freelance writer and editor? I had to purchase books on writing resumes, white papers, and research reports. In one volume, Brown has given us a guide to almost everything the average person will ever need to write. It will be an enormous help, and I am excited to include it on my shelf. But, it is also a great guide for anyone who writes anything. Should be in most every home.

Just think for a moment. What are the writing tasks that confuse you the most? Resumes and cover letters, for certain, as well as business letters, email messages, condolence letters, and college entrance essays. Brown covers them all and much more. She includes the problems, pitfalls, and possibilities of communicating in the 21st century, including instant messaging, emails, and tweeting.

The book is divided in three sections: personal writing, school writing, and professional/business writing. However, Brown recommends the same 6 steps for each endeavor. They are:

determine the purpose for the writing.
determine who the audience or the readers are
brainstorm ideas
organize thoughts and idea
do a final draft
revise, revise, revise.

To that, I would add one other step. Read it aloud. Here is what I have learned about reading something aloud. First, when you read it aloud, you don't miss mistakes that got overlooked with the spell or grammar checker on your word processor. Second, if you read it aloud, you will catch run-on sentences and things that just plain sound stupid. Third, you may catch misused words. Somehow reading a document aloud makes it sound like a different voice than your voice. Finally, if this really is an important document, have someone else read it aloud. They will most likely catch anything that you may have missed.

I really like the format and the comprehensive nature of How to Write Anything. I wish that my international clients each had a copy because I am constantly being asked to write an email to a professor or a cover letter to go with a resume. Kudos to Laura Brown for putting together such an easily accessible volume.

The website for the book: http://www.howtowriteanything.com/

[Viviane Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the prevalence of texting and email with its abbreviated spelling, the art of writing is for many young people an unknown reality. Laura Brown has provided a guide to almost every type of writing that will be required by a student, worker or any individual needing to communicate in correct and appropriate form. Section I and II address the need to have a clear purpose and knowledge of one’s audience when communicating, including the need to revise over and over again so that one conveys a professional stance. These chapters often address the issue of not writing for and to one’s self but the need to know your audience with their needs and skills and to write toward a very specific person or group. The issue of knowing when to place a telephone call and when to write is also addressed, as well as the courtesy that is essential even in IMs and email messages.
The text then takes the reader through all those life events that the majority of us experience over the years such as introductions, announcements, condolences, love letter (yes, even that), obituaries, weddings, births, baby showers, personal letters to neighbors, letters to oppose parking tickets, notes to teachers, etc., etc.
The next section is so necessary, even though readers may wrongly assume these skills are taught in school, and include how to take notes, make an outline, and write summaries, research papers and essays in the different forms that different subjects require. This is followed by just about every type of letter one would need to write in the business environment and when seeking a job or a promotion.
Examples of both the do’s and don’ts of each type of writing are very helpful parts within each section. Essential and important rules are highlighted in shaded grey boxes and circular graphs are included to assist one in progressing through different steps in each process. Correct grammar and punctuation complete the package.
While this might not seem like endearing reading, it is a fascinating, comprehensive collection of fine writing in every imaginable form. This should be a staple text for every family – very nicely done, Laura Brown!!!

[Edythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There’s nothing wrong with the six-step process…The real key to success is not going through these six steps in any particular order but simply in ensuring that you’ve touched all bases at least once as you go through the writing process.” –Laura Brown

How to Write Anything begins with the basic six-step process of writing as know your purpose, know your reader, brainstorm, organize, draft, and revise to create and finalize your writing project. There are several areas covered in this handy reference book from preparing a simple note to constructing a working resume to producing detailed recipe cards for the chef in you or gifting opportunity. The information contained within includes ‘do and don’t’ tips for every writing entry along with sample writings to ensure you generate the best-written communication possible.

Do you have a concern about communicating through business and social emails or social media message ads? There is no cause for alarm because information is plentiful in length including newspaper articles and a very useful section on creating surveys and survey questions. For high school and college students there is a dedicated section for an essay, thesis, resume, and cover letters adding an additional part for ‘Action Verbs for Resumes’ for those currently seeking employment. Again, all subject matter has detailed explanations, annotations, and summaries from writing a brochure and sales proposal to wedding vows to apology letters.

This book is a handy reference guide for producing or creating written communication for personal or public use including novelists as I found good pointers on blogging and recommend to all who write for business or pleasure.

I received this book free from W.W. Norton & Company through the Net Galley reviewer program in exchange for an unbiased opinion in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

[MeriBeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Write Anything is, just as the title says, the complete guide to writing just about anything a modern person would need to know from simple notes to long letters to college essays to PowerPoint presentations. However, unlike many books from W W Norton, this book is more a reference or guide book than a textbook or a general readership book. In fact, I would go so far as to say this would make the perfect reference guide for high school students and college freshman rather than the general public even though it’s designed to cover everything and anything. My own copy is being handed over to my daughter who is entering her freshman year of high school. After so many years of standardized, fill in the little dot tests for math and vocabulary she’s all but clueless on how to write proper essays, letters and research papers which she’ll need to do for high school. This is just the book she needs to fill that gap in her education. Highly recommended for students and those just starting their careers… and the rest of us too.

Review copy received from NetGalley.

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This hefty compendium doesn’t seem to have left anything out. Brown has compiled a resource that covers it all. Beginning with the more typical — thank-you note, cover letter, letter of recommendation — Brown also examines best practices for business Facebook updates, a note to the babysitter and divorce condolences. Each heading has a description of the item to be written and an example of what not to do, and what one should do.

Brown approaches each item with six steps: purpose, reader, brainstorm, organize, draft, revise. And, in general, I think most people forget the first two. What is your reason for writing this down at all? What will it accomplish or convey? And, secondly, who will be reading it? What do they need to take away from it?

Please support independent reviewers and read my full post here: http://mwgerard.com/accent-how-to-wri...

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Write Anything
Laura Brown
Copyright 2014

How to Write Anything is a collection of invaluable articles fof authors snd students alike.  This book covrrs everything from writing the Personal Essay to writing text messages an even shows you how to properly write a thank you message.

Laura Brown puts together a book evrry household shoulf hsve a book that shows you how to anf how not to craft everything from a Wedding Announcement to a personal blog. It covers everything from organizing to writing the final draft.

Brown includes a section on writing and notetaking fof both High School and College students.  There is even sections in this boom that show us how to avoid Plagarism.

What makes How to Write Anything such an invaluable too for anyone it does not only show you how to write but it shows you how not to write.

Five Stars for this invaluable book.

[Nathanael Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight forward, practical advice for writing most practical things. This, I think, will be a book that is at-hand for many students, and especially those who feel the need for a little extra, clear writing support.

[Maria Tizon · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Write Anything is a thorough and very well thought out reference book. It covers a wide array of topics from divorce announcements to resumes and provides tips on the dos and do-nots and the pitfalls we all fall into as we write. This is not the sort of book you read straight through but rather a valuable reference to return to time and time again depending on what you are writing. It is laid out in logical order with ease and sufficiency in mind. How to Write Anything will come in handy in many writing endeavors and deserves a space on any writers or non-writers reference shelf.

[Margo Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What an amazing reference book! This book is huge with quality information on writing everything from a note to leave on a windshield to a business speech. And there are examples of what NOT to write ... "To the Moron in the Mazda -- Nice alliteration but not likely to encourage cooperation" (page 173).

There are helpful lists of things to do and not to do. There are tips for writing in high school, college, the work force, and everyday life.

This would make an excellent gift for a graduating high school senior or a gift for anyone who enjoys writing.

I highly recommend it.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't get to read as much of this as I wanted to, but was able to order a copy for the library so it should at least be close by as a reference. I LOVE the way things are laid out-clear, concise, and with reasons behind the do's and don'ts. A huge range of situations are covered, including windshield notes, recipes, holiday letters, and even online reviews! One thing that I found lacking was online dating profiles, tho there is lots about social media so I think it would be comparable. Looking forward to better writing with this book.

[Pam Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book. I loved it, it covers a wide spectrum of topics, provides easy to use models for work, school, home life even down to projects. It has to be one of a kind book as I have never seen one like it, it uses common sense, complete guide and is user friendly, supporting, internet friendly, email, pen, paper and everything would every want rolled into one book.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most comprehensive book on writing I've seen in a long time. It is concise and well organized. It covers everything from personal letters to complaints, and college essays. The table of contents has it divided into logical sections. A workplace condolence to an internet posting. Only book you will need.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is quite a useful reference book! From thank you notes to taking notes to lab reports, speeches, blogs, power point presentations and so much more, this book has it all in a like this, not like that format. I think that high school and college students and adults will find this to be a handy and useful reference book. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reference guide for anyone who's ever picked up a pen. I found so much to love about this book it was hard to take back to the library.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic resource, love having a hard copy of this book

[Lisa Daleiden-Brugman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually a really great resource book for just about any writing situation. Would maybe be good for a HS grad gift? Or maybe even middle school grad?

[Masatoshi Nishimura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book that covers all formats from wedding greeting to 140 words tweets. She's expertise in wide range, and good vs bad contrasts are helpful.