Positive, practical techniques for achieving a more professional writing style. Here are the "how to" keys of writing-from putting the first words on paper to the final polishing and proofreading. Readers will learn how to edit their writing for improved clarity, cut excess words, use transitional phrases, recognize and correct run-on sentences and overcome procrastination and impulsive writing. Readers will learn how to: Identify the key components of any well-written business document Cut excess words and phrases from your writing Use transitional words and phrases Avoid misplaced and dangling modifiers and split infinitives Use commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, and parentheses Use slash marks, ellipsis marks, quotation marks, italics, and brackets Recognize and correct run-on sentences Proofread your writing for clarity of meaning Overcome the two common writing problems that waste time and money-procrastination and impulsive writing. This is an ebook version of the AMA Self-Study course. If you want to take the course for credit you need to either purchase a hard copy of the course through amaselfstudy.org or purchase an online version of the course through www.flexstudy.com.

The Copyeditor’s Workbook—a companion to the indispensable Copyeditor’s Handbook, now in its fourth edition—offers comprehensive and practical training for both aspiring and experienced copyeditors. Exercises of increasing difficulty and length, covering a range of subjects, enable you to advance in skill and confidence. Detailed answer keys offer a grounding in editorial basics, appropriate usage choices for different contexts and audiences, and advice on communicating effectively with authors and clients. The exercises provide an extensive workout in the knowledge and skills required of contemporary editors. Features and benefits Workbook challenges editors to build their skills and to use new tools. Exercises vary and increase in difficulty and length, allowing users to advance along the way. Answer keys illustrate several techniques for marking copy, including marking PDFs and hand marking hard copy. Book includes access to online exercises available for download.

"In this eBook, you'll learn the principles of grammar and how to manipulate your words until they're just right. Strengthen your revising and editing skills and become a clear and consistent writer." --

The Copyeditor's Handbook is a lively, practical manual for newcomers to publishing and for experienced editors who want to fine-tune their skills or broaden their understanding of the craft. Addressed to copyeditors in book publishing and corporate communications, this thoughtful handbook explains what copyeditors do, what they look for when they edit a manuscript, and how they develop the editorial judgment needed to make sound decisions. This revised edition reflects the most recent editions of The Chicago Manual of Style (15th ed.), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.), and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.).

Good writing starts with good grammar. How comfortable are you with your grammar skills? "Grammar Essentials for Proofreading, Copyediting & Business Writing" focuses on the grammar and usage topics you need to quickly improve your writing skills for personal and business success. You learn how to correct common grammar errors like fragments, run-ons and comma splices, while answering usage concerns such as when to use "who" or "whom," or what words to capitalize or abbreviate. Each chapter ends with practical exercises.