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Getting the Words Right
The Secret to Good Writing
When asked by the Paris Review what compelled him to rewrite the ending of A Farewell to Arms 39 times, Ernest Hemingway replied, "Getting the words right." His answer echoes what every successful writer knows: The secret to all good writing is revision.
For more than twenty years, Getting the Words Right has helped writers from all professions rewrite, revise, and refine their writing. In this new edition, author Theodore Cheney offers 39 targeted ways you can improve your writing, including how to:
create smooth transitions between paragraphs
correct the invisible faults of inconsistency, incoherence, and imbalance
overcome problems of shifting point of view and style
express your ideas clearly by trimming away weak or extra words
You'll strengthen existing pieces and every future work by applying the three simple principles--reduce, rearrange, and reword. Once the secrets of revision are yours, you'll be able to follow Hemingway's lead--and get the words right!
When asked by the Paris Review what compelled him to rewrite the ending of A Farewell to Arms 39 times, Ernest Hemingway replied, "Getting the words right." His answer echoes what every successful writer knows: The secret to all good writing is revision.
For more than twenty years, Getting the Words Right has helped writers from all professions rewrite, revise, and refine their writing. In this new edition, author Theodore Cheney offers 39 targeted ways you can improve your writing, including how to:
create smooth transitions between paragraphs
correct the invisible faults of inconsistency, incoherence, and imbalance
overcome problems of shifting point of view and style
express your ideas clearly by trimming away weak or extra words
You'll strengthen existing pieces and every future work by applying the three simple principles--reduce, rearrange, and reword. Once the secrets of revision are yours, you'll be able to follow Hemingway's lead--and get the words right!
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
79 people are currently reading
1,047 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 23, 2011
Pretty good, if somewhat overlong, book that gives you the basic rules for writing and revision to ensure that, whatever you're writing, you end up with the perfect message (principles which, I should add, I'm not using here!). Divided into 39 chapters, one for each "rule", Cheney argues quite effectively that the process splits into three basic principles, reduce, rearrange, and reword. This, of course, oversimplifies things horribly, but serves as a useful way of splitting up the book.
I felt that the book loses its way in the middle a little, though perhaps it's not intended to be read from cover to cover in one go. The author does admit in the Afterword that if you've read the whole book, you probably have the patience to write one! However, it does end up on a very good high, the last chapter being devoted to common word mistakes and misunderstandings. While this could so easily have been a boring end, churning out the same old principles that schoolteachers have been preaching for years, it was actually a pretty fascinating quick-fire final round for the book, addressing some issues that I already knew about, and some that were completely new to me (who knew the difference between nauseous and nauseated? Not me!)
The book is written by an American, and does suffer on occasion from US-English advice, though not too much, and some of the examples have clearly suffered from the "Kindle-ising" process - there was a section where the examples should clearly have had some form of crossing out or editing that just didn't appear in the Kindle version - but overall this is a good reference.
I felt that the book loses its way in the middle a little, though perhaps it's not intended to be read from cover to cover in one go. The author does admit in the Afterword that if you've read the whole book, you probably have the patience to write one! However, it does end up on a very good high, the last chapter being devoted to common word mistakes and misunderstandings. While this could so easily have been a boring end, churning out the same old principles that schoolteachers have been preaching for years, it was actually a pretty fascinating quick-fire final round for the book, addressing some issues that I already knew about, and some that were completely new to me (who knew the difference between nauseous and nauseated? Not me!)
The book is written by an American, and does suffer on occasion from US-English advice, though not too much, and some of the examples have clearly suffered from the "Kindle-ising" process - there was a section where the examples should clearly have had some form of crossing out or editing that just didn't appear in the Kindle version - but overall this is a good reference.
Read
June 27, 2013I just could not finish this book. The first couple of chapters about editing were helpful, but the rest of it feels like it's written for middle schoolers who don't know how to put two words together... with about 100 times more words than is necessary to repeat his basic points over and over again. And he just keeps using examples from his own work only, which makes him seem pretty pompous, especially when the examples aren't that great.
August 26, 2016
Getting the Words Right is the perfect example of how we take things for granted, like breathing.
Reading this book was a reminder of the basics of communication: Using the best and clearest methods/tools to get the point across.
This is definitely a keeper, one I plan to refer to frequently. The only issue I had was that for some points there were many examples (too many) and none for others.
Reading this book was a reminder of the basics of communication: Using the best and clearest methods/tools to get the point across.
This is definitely a keeper, one I plan to refer to frequently. The only issue I had was that for some points there were many examples (too many) and none for others.
September 1, 2012
An editing book that needed editing. Good but too wordy.
Shelved as 'partial-read'
June 1, 2023Had this for ages, probably some kindle bargain at one point. Some good cohesion/coherence/flow stuff in the middle, (chapters 10 - 15), but apparently the paper book relies on some graphical elements to break up the the text which are missing in the kindle version, so the examples just bleed into the surrounding text which makes for an awful reading experience.
Note: He does seem prone to the overly wordy attempts to avoid repetition that Pinker warns about.
This is probably the most thorough explanation of the topic outside of Pinker's The Sense of Style that I've read so far. (Tufte's Artful Sentences: Syntax as Style probably mentions as many options as Pinker, but doesn't really discuss anything in a useful manner.) I do have on order a copy of Halliday and Hasan's Cohesion in English which seems to be the foundational text on the subject. (I couldn't find an affordable edition of anything more recent.)
Note: He does seem prone to the overly wordy attempts to avoid repetition that Pinker warns about.
This is probably the most thorough explanation of the topic outside of Pinker's The Sense of Style that I've read so far. (Tufte's Artful Sentences: Syntax as Style probably mentions as many options as Pinker, but doesn't really discuss anything in a useful manner.) I do have on order a copy of Halliday and Hasan's Cohesion in English which seems to be the foundational text on the subject. (I couldn't find an affordable edition of anything more recent.)
December 20, 2017
Revision for writers
All too often, one hears that revision is the key to successful writing. This book offers rules for successful writing-- comprehensive in scope and purpose. While it reads like a digest of rules and applications, it is highly useful for the an intermediate to advanced writer who may need an extra push -- that writing coach that can inspire. A goldmine!
All too often, one hears that revision is the key to successful writing. This book offers rules for successful writing-- comprehensive in scope and purpose. While it reads like a digest of rules and applications, it is highly useful for the an intermediate to advanced writer who may need an extra push -- that writing coach that can inspire. A goldmine!
October 28, 2020
I've read a ton of books about the craft of writing and because I'm a masochist and a slow learner, I'll probably read a lot more. This is one of the best I've ever read, practical, lively, mostly bereft of the kind of memoirist touches that are great in the right hands (re: Stephen King) but usually detract from the advice and essentials in most other attempts (re: pretty much everyone else.)
The title of the book comes from an interview than Ernest "Fish and Fight" Hemingway had with blueblood pugilist nonpareil George Plimpton. George asked Ernie how many drafts he typically wrote. Hemingway replied that it depended, but that he had found himself forced to write the last page of "The Sun also Rises" thirty-nine times (!). Plimpton naturally asked him why. "Getting the words right." And, for an even greater sense of structural unity, the book has thirty-nine chapters. All of them contain essential dos and don'ts, each of which will make you a better writer. Taken in toto and taken to heart, one might greatly improve after reading and applying the techniques and lessons explicated here. There's a great recommended reading list at the end, and while the author is adamant that he is but a dwarf standing on the shoulders of giants, it's hard for me to imagine that any of those books might be better than this one. Highest recommendation, at any rate.
The title of the book comes from an interview than Ernest "Fish and Fight" Hemingway had with blueblood pugilist nonpareil George Plimpton. George asked Ernie how many drafts he typically wrote. Hemingway replied that it depended, but that he had found himself forced to write the last page of "The Sun also Rises" thirty-nine times (!). Plimpton naturally asked him why. "Getting the words right." And, for an even greater sense of structural unity, the book has thirty-nine chapters. All of them contain essential dos and don'ts, each of which will make you a better writer. Taken in toto and taken to heart, one might greatly improve after reading and applying the techniques and lessons explicated here. There's a great recommended reading list at the end, and while the author is adamant that he is but a dwarf standing on the shoulders of giants, it's hard for me to imagine that any of those books might be better than this one. Highest recommendation, at any rate.
May 18, 2020
I am preparing to start revisions of my first draft and this book helped me so much. I believe that if I follow the advice offered I will have an excellent book on my hands. Some of the writing samples that Mr. Cheney enjoyed were not in my taste but the pages were packed with helpful advice.
June 29, 2009
I think Theodore's advice is solid, but he kinda comes across as a tool.
April 3, 2013
Not a bad book as far as writing craft goes, but the BROWN typeface is brutal for those of us with less-than-stellar vision. It's actually painful for me to read.
May 21, 2014
This is a real treasure of a book, one I keep going back to over and over again. It covers the three fundamentals of revision (reducing, rearranging, and rewording). I highly recommend it.
December 3, 2019
One of the best books on writing I've ever read. I gave my copy away and wish I hadn't.
February 17, 2023
First, I will say that I picked this one up because revising has always been a chore for me. I know it needs done-my drafts are generally a mess! But it always seems such a daunting task that I get bogged down and end up procrastinating no end. I thought this book might help a bit.
It does seem to be more slanted to non-fiction writers, although there are certainly sections and examples pulled from fiction. It breaks the whole of revision into pieces: overused words, cliches and the like, sentence structure, etc. There are examples of the wrong (in the author's opinion) way to do each, and then the revised version of the same passage. There are definitely parts that are the author's opinion and approach to writing, and I will admit, I didn't agree with all of them. But it is clearly written, does a good job of breaking out the whole process into parts that can be turned into a plan, and there's a lot that makes sense. Someone who is good at revising, or who can focus on the multiple things that need attention might not find this overly informative, but I pulled some ideas to try for my next big revision project.
Worth reading? Probably, especially if you struggle with revising.
It does seem to be more slanted to non-fiction writers, although there are certainly sections and examples pulled from fiction. It breaks the whole of revision into pieces: overused words, cliches and the like, sentence structure, etc. There are examples of the wrong (in the author's opinion) way to do each, and then the revised version of the same passage. There are definitely parts that are the author's opinion and approach to writing, and I will admit, I didn't agree with all of them. But it is clearly written, does a good job of breaking out the whole process into parts that can be turned into a plan, and there's a lot that makes sense. Someone who is good at revising, or who can focus on the multiple things that need attention might not find this overly informative, but I pulled some ideas to try for my next big revision project.
Worth reading? Probably, especially if you struggle with revising.
May 24, 2020
Three-line review: While there were a few hints sprinkled throughout this book that might prove helpful in my career, most of this book's 257 pages are drivel. Too much of this book is ego-driven, punctuated with notes like "this is my preference." There are far better books available for people who want to fine tune their writing skills.
September 17, 2024
An (appropriately) well written book that offers strong and clear advice about word use in both fiction and non fiction. A series of short chapters introduce strategies to enhance our writing.
I took a lot of notes from this book. But from the mid-point, the examples started to overwhelm the maxims and strategies being offered.
I took a lot of notes from this book. But from the mid-point, the examples started to overwhelm the maxims and strategies being offered.
November 7, 2018
Archaic style, wordy, over-academic, full of passive constructions. I couldn't get past the first 25 pages. Don't waste your time or money.
July 3, 2020
This is really well-done, a great "how-to". The author is certainly not at a loss for words. I think I will use this on and off as a great resource.
Read
February 1, 2022DNF
July 27, 2017
Excellent tome on how to revise a book. Logically presented, useful examples, a good reference book for a writer.
March 21, 2014
Theodore Cheney was a creative writing professor, and is an author of fiction and non-fiction. This book is all about the multifaceted process of revision, and is divided into three parts: reduce, rearrange, and reword. It discusses structure (from the level of sentence to story/novel), emphasis, word order, diction, rhythm, and usage. To illustrate techniques, almost every section contains writing samples from famous authors and workshop students alike. Behold as Cheney gets meta and blows your mind by making his prose an example unto itself:
(From the section on rhythm and sound)
____________________
ORIGINAL
The house remained stubborn. After a moment, she closed and locked the windows, crunching dead fly bodies.
REVISED
After a moment, she closed and locked the windows, crunching the fly husks that littered the sills.
The writer was on the right trail with the use of crunching, but the sound image is now amplified by the crispier, crunchier rasp of husks. This revision did not make a more beautiful sentence--but it did make for a more accurate, true-to-life sentence. Incidentally (but not accidentally), I tried to make my explanation of onomatopoeia more satisfying to your interior ear by using onomatopoeia myself--the crispier, crunchier rasp of husks. Notice that it was not the use of sound for sound's sake, but to reinforce the aural image--and that must always be the case. I used rasp in that context because it added to the sounds surrounding it, and because rasp is itself onomatopoetic.
____________________
Though this is a reference handbook for writers, geeks may read it cover to cover. Of particular interest are Cheney's graphs illustrating variation in sentence length in stories by O'Connor, Steinbeck and others. These are actual line graphs with "words per sentence" on the Y axis and "sentences" on the X axis. Best graph ever. To me, the sections on syntax and emphasis were the most useful and interesting. This book enhances the enjoyment not only of writing but reading a carefully crafted sentence.
(From the section on rhythm and sound)
____________________
ORIGINAL
The house remained stubborn. After a moment, she closed and locked the windows, crunching dead fly bodies.
REVISED
After a moment, she closed and locked the windows, crunching the fly husks that littered the sills.
The writer was on the right trail with the use of crunching, but the sound image is now amplified by the crispier, crunchier rasp of husks. This revision did not make a more beautiful sentence--but it did make for a more accurate, true-to-life sentence. Incidentally (but not accidentally), I tried to make my explanation of onomatopoeia more satisfying to your interior ear by using onomatopoeia myself--the crispier, crunchier rasp of husks. Notice that it was not the use of sound for sound's sake, but to reinforce the aural image--and that must always be the case. I used rasp in that context because it added to the sounds surrounding it, and because rasp is itself onomatopoetic.
____________________
Though this is a reference handbook for writers, geeks may read it cover to cover. Of particular interest are Cheney's graphs illustrating variation in sentence length in stories by O'Connor, Steinbeck and others. These are actual line graphs with "words per sentence" on the Y axis and "sentences" on the X axis. Best graph ever. To me, the sections on syntax and emphasis were the most useful and interesting. This book enhances the enjoyment not only of writing but reading a carefully crafted sentence.
July 5, 2012
I was slogging my way through a novel when I downloaded Getting the Words Right by Theodore A. Rees Cheney. You might think the novel would have held my interest against capture by a book subtitled: 39 ways to improve your writing. But, you’d be wrong. Even though the novel was written by a prize winning author and had a compelling plot and characters, the style was awful. It was as though I was riding a bike uphill into a headwind. Cheney’s book was like coasting downhill. His book not only showed me why I hated reading the novel, but gave me clear examples of how writing can be improved—and why it should be. Cheney’s style shows as well as tells what’s good and what’s better. The book is so well written, the examples so relevant, that any reader would enjoy it. Those who aspire to write well will treasure it. To top it off, Cheney includes his recommended readings: more good books for better writing in any genre.
Several reviewers have criticized the type size of the printed version. I recommend the Kindle edition for those of us who prefer larger type. I make use of the underlining functions and note taking features of the kindle and along with its search capability; I anticipate using my Kindle edition as a trusted reference tool.
Several reviewers have criticized the type size of the printed version. I recommend the Kindle edition for those of us who prefer larger type. I make use of the underlining functions and note taking features of the kindle and along with its search capability; I anticipate using my Kindle edition as a trusted reference tool.
February 4, 2015
I like the premise behind Theodore Cheney's "Getting the Right Words". I have come across many writings that could benefit from some of the advice given in the book. One of the books I am reading now is bad for redundancy. A typical sentence might be "John put his eggs in one crate. One John slipped, the crate of John's eggs fell all over John's floor and John's eggs were everywhere." This can be a bit irritating, especially since it would be a really good book if it wasn't for the redundant writing.
I've also noticed some writers can go off on tangents. They can be describing a car chase and then take the next seven pages describing and giving the complete history of a clock they drove past. This can interfere with a story as well.
My only criticism is that some of Mr. Cheney's chapters could also be a bit wordier than they need to be, which probably should not have occurred in a book discussing the matter. Overall, though, it is a great resource for writers and students.
I've also noticed some writers can go off on tangents. They can be describing a car chase and then take the next seven pages describing and giving the complete history of a clock they drove past. This can interfere with a story as well.
My only criticism is that some of Mr. Cheney's chapters could also be a bit wordier than they need to be, which probably should not have occurred in a book discussing the matter. Overall, though, it is a great resource for writers and students.
March 3, 2011
An incredibly helpful book for revising and editing your book. There's so much information in it. I especially like his large-to-small approach--making major revisions first, then intermediate ones, and finally micro-changes. It also works well as a reference book, if you only need help with a specific problem.
January 27, 2015
Gonna call it quits with this one for now. I like it because it helps kickstart you into paying attention in how you do your writing process. I don't know if this is something to be read straight through. I'm comfortable with picking it up and thumbing through it when I need a quick boost to craft.
July 23, 2013
This book was very helpful in explaining all the various ins and outs of following up on a writers initial draft. It was, however, a bit verbose for my liking; if you are looking for a low amount of detail, this might not be the book for you. But if you want to get deep into the art of editing, etc, then give it a try.
October 18, 2016
A detailed, fairly comprehensive and fairly original, exploration of ways to improve your writing. Contains many helpful before and after example sentences.
One of the few writing books that mentions the issue of transition between paragraphs and adjective placement for emphasise, amongst other things.
It's worth reading and keeping as a reference book.
One of the few writing books that mentions the issue of transition between paragraphs and adjective placement for emphasise, amongst other things.
It's worth reading and keeping as a reference book.
October 24, 2008
Buku yang bagus banget buat belajar editing, maupun yang udah jadi editor. Banyak pelajaran simple tentang editing yang terkadang kita lupakan, padahal penting untuk diterapkan. Tips2 yang diajarkan juga praktis. Nggak bertele-tele.
June 1, 2011
This is a great book for learning how to edit your writing. I use it to prepare for teaching editing. The only thing I don't like about it is the way it's printed -- in brown and in small type. It makes it harder to read.
February 1, 2010
Very useful book. Can be used for reference when you encounter writing problems.
December 24, 2011
Great reference
Highlights moved to Evernote
Highlights moved to Evernote
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews