I put this list together to recommend titles for the library where I work. It's everything from middle school to advanced level, easy reference to long chapters, busness writing to poetry.
THE LIST
Why does my boss hate my writing? : 20 questions that can help you improve your business writing 100 percent! / Becky Burckmyer.
Writers inc : a student handbook for writing and learning / written and compiled by Patrick Sebranek, Verne Meyer, Dave Kemper. - Writer's INC is often used for middle school/high school but would be useful for new students at the community college level as well.
On writing : a memoir of the craft / by Stephen King.
The elements of style / by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White ; illustrated by Maira Kalman. -- I went to look at the illustrated version, which is the newest edition and listed as "available" in the catalog but it is not there. We have the old editions from 1979.
Do not have:
Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers (9th Edition) Lynn Q. Troyka, Doug Hesse - I really like the layout for Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers because it breaks everything down to very basic terms. It's the best one on the list as far as being a reference book.
Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace (4th Edition) Joseph M. Williams
Painless Grammar (Barron's Painless Series) Rebecca Elliott Ph.D. - This one is a high school level one, but would definitely be useful for new college students, too. I haven't looked at the "Painless Writing" but I really really like the Painless Grammar, so if it's as well reviewed as that one, then it might be worth checking out.
Bird by bird : some instructions on writing and life / Anne Lamott. - This one is for creative writing but is one of the most engaging writing instruction books I've read and can help with developing style and voice in writing.
The Teachers and Writers Handbook of Poetic Forms Edited by Ron Padgett - I can't include a fiction writing guidebook without including a poetry one, too. So here it is. I like this one because it is simple and straightforward and includes a diversity of types of poetry.
THE LIST
Why does my boss hate my writing? : 20 questions that can help you improve your business writing 100 percent! / Becky Burckmyer.
Writers inc : a student handbook for writing and learning / written and compiled by Patrick Sebranek, Verne Meyer, Dave Kemper. - Writer's INC is often used for middle school/high school but would be useful for new students at the community college level as well.
On writing : a memoir of the craft / by Stephen King.
The elements of style / by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White ; illustrated by Maira Kalman. -- I went to look at the illustrated version, which is the newest edition and listed as "available" in the catalog but it is not there. We have the old editions from 1979.
Do not have:
Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers (9th Edition) Lynn Q. Troyka, Doug Hesse - I really like the layout for Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers because it breaks everything down to very basic terms. It's the best one on the list as far as being a reference book.
Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace (4th Edition) Joseph M. Williams
Painless Grammar (Barron's Painless Series) Rebecca Elliott Ph.D. - This one is a high school level one, but would definitely be useful for new college students, too. I haven't looked at the "Painless Writing" but I really really like the Painless Grammar, so if it's as well reviewed as that one, then it might be worth checking out.
Bird by bird : some instructions on writing and life / Anne Lamott. - This one is for creative writing but is one of the most engaging writing instruction books I've read and can help with developing style and voice in writing.
The Teachers and Writers Handbook of Poetic Forms Edited by Ron Padgett - I can't include a fiction writing guidebook without including a poetry one, too. So here it is. I like this one because it is simple and straightforward and includes a diversity of types of poetry.