mainly medical writing
Write Effectively
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English edition
Author’s description
This is my latest book. It is based on the course on effective writing that I developed and ran for 17 years, and it is intended to give individuals and groups the chance to do the course themselves – in their own time.
The first part of the book is divided into 10 sessions. Each session covers a writing skill, and the best way to go through the book is to have a piece of writing that you are working on (or, even better, have been too scared to start working on) and work this up as you go through the book. As in my other books, it takes you through a writing process that involve three planning stages, free writing, and rewriting on two different levels.
The second part of the book is an after-sales service. The idea is to turn to this section a few weeks after you have finished the book. It includes a questionnaire about writing problems (for example, 'I don’t have enough time to write'. If you are still ticking the same boxes, or ticking new ones, this section will advise you on what to do.
The third part of the book looks at an important, and often neglected, area: what the writing will look like when it is on a page or screen. The same document is reproduced 10 times, in different ways, and with commentary on good and bad aspects.
The fourth part of the book comprises 17 lists on topics from useful grammatical principles to fine quotes about writing. I am particularly proud of my entry on political correctness (list 13).
I realise that going through a book like this on your own is a lonely business, and so I would welcome any thoughts, comments or questions.
Opening passage
'Many people are surprised by the range of what they have to write: reports, letters, applications, minutes, essays, protocols, policy statements, articles...the list goes on. They also have to face a constant procession of emails, which people tend not to count as 'real writing', but which are every bit as important - and which even the decisive can take two or three hours a day to deal with.
'At the same time people seem particularly ill-prepared for all this writing. The task is badly defined, time consuming and difficult. Courses on how to do it are rare. Agreement on 'good writing' seems to be rarer still, and the whole process often appears to be more about internal power squabbles than external communications. Not surprisingly, many writers in the health services dislike writing and avoid it whenever possible. Others proceed reluctantly without confidence - and without satisfaction.
'This book sets out to help you by showing you what writing is all about...'
'Many people are surprised by the range of what they have to write: reports, letters, applications, minutes, essays, protocols, policy statements, articles...the list goes on. They also have to face a constant procession of emails, which people tend not to count as 'real writing', but which are every bit as important - and which even the decisive can take two or three hours a day to deal with.
'At the same time people seem particularly ill-prepared for all this writing. The task is badly defined, time consuming and difficult. Courses on how to do it are rare. Agreement on 'good writing' seems to be rarer still, and the whole process often appears to be more about internal power squabbles than external communications. Not surprisingly, many writers in the health services dislike writing and avoid it whenever possible. Others proceed reluctantly without confidence - and without satisfaction.
'This book sets out to help you by showing you what writing is all about...'
What they have said:
- 'Succinct and easy to read. Would save students and clinicians a number of years of ‘trial and error’ with the writing process.' - Australian Journal of Primary Health
- 'In this workbook you progress step by step, compiling schemes, short questionnaires, or parts in which you can freely write...This is a useful support technique for potential writers, who can then better focus on their own major difficulties in writing and get rid of their blocks.' - Renata Solemini, European Science Editing
- 'This book nicely presents one very experienced writer's well-tested approach to the task of writing and is certainly well worth a try for anyone who finds writing a tremendous labour. It may convert a reader's perceived lack of skill into a very powerful tool.' - Beth Notzon, Science Editor
- 'A worthwhile book to spend your money on if this is one of your stumbling blocks. And you never know: you may just end up enjoying the challenge.' - The practising midwife
- 1: The quick course: how can we help? - so what’s your real problem? - what is effective writing? - getting started: the BRIEF - sorting the information - putting together a plan - writing the first draft, and enjoying it! - rewriting: ask the Big Five Questions - sweat the details - get others to help (not hinder) - epilogue: bringing it all together
- 2: After sales service
- 3: Some points on design
- 4: Lists for the very keen
ISBN-13: 978 1 84619 135 0
Available from
Amazon
This book is available in Japanese.
Other books by Tim Albert:
Winning the publications game: how to write a scientific paper without neglecting your patients
A-Z of medical writing
Medical journalism: the writer's guide
"This book nicely presents one very experienced writer's well-tested approach to the task of writing and is certainly well worth a try for anyone who finds writing a tremendous labour."