New Writing Fundamentals
Plain Language Strategies for Clarity with Style
in Lay and Technical Communications
It’s in the works!
In this entertaining and practical book, author Romina Marazzato Sparano redefines grammar textbooks and style manuals. She delivers a writing guide full of actionable tips, backed by clearly articulated insights about language coming from cognitive sciences and the plain language movement. With easy-to-follow analysis of poorly written examples and their solutions, she gives writers the tools to work through their text with clarity and style. The New Writing Fundamentals is a book for all writers interested in improving their craft and curious about the inner workings of writing as the best app ever invented to share ideas!
Here’s a preview of its contents:
Chapter 1: Writing as Invention
1.1 Writing Systems
1.2 Writing and the Brain
1.3 Quadrants of Writing
Chapter 2: Plain Language
2.1 Plain Language as a Civil Right
2.2 Benefits of Plain Language
2.3 Plain Language Principles
Chapter 3: Relevance
3.1 Audience
3.2 Topic
3.3 Purpose
Chapter 4: Making Sense with Grammar
4.1 Language Rules as Regularities
4.2 Words and Word Classes
4.3 Word Order
4.4 Semantic Roles
4.5 Syntax
4.6 Punctuation
Chapter 5: Making Sense with Cohesion
5.1 How to Sequence and Link Sentences
5.2 Lexical Cohesion
5.3 Grammatical Cohesion
5.4 Semantic Cohesion
Chapter 6: Making Sense with Coherence
6.1 Coherence and Sensemaking
6.2 Topic Consistency
6.3 Information Flow
6.4 Principles of Association
Chapter 7: Accessibility through Structure
7.1 Why Structures Matter
7.2 Text Types
7.3 Patters of Organization
7.4 Argumentative Writing
Chapter 8: Accessibility through Design
8.1 Typography
8.2 Layout
8.3 Data Visualization
8.4 Digital and Web Accessibility
Chapter 9: Adapting Style
9.1 Technical Writing
9.2 Lay Writing
9.3 Easy-Read Writing
9.4 Writing for Specific Audiences
Chapter 10: Prompting Action
10.1 Writing to Do, Choose, and Learn
10.2 Planning for Success
10.3 Involving your Readers
10.4 Testing your Writing
Bonus Chapter: A Personal Style Guide