Arts Publications

The Little Red Writing Book: 20 Powerful Principle of Structure, Style & Readability

Reviewer's Bookwatch, Nov, 2004 by Jim Sullivan

Brandon Royal

Writer's Digest Books

ISBN # 1582973369 $16.99 160 pages

This is a slim volume on English grammar and subjects related to the correct writing of the language. The book alludes by its title to Little Red Riding Hood, which it isn't connected with, by its hard cover to Chairman Mao's Little Red Book, which is unrelated, and by its briefness, subject matter, and layout to Strunk and White's Elements of Style, which it isn't. But this volume comes the closest to the last mentioned.

Basically, this new book details the accepted rules and regulations for writing in English. This read, however, is more elemental than Strunk and White's guide to the language. Perhaps sophomore English class (high school that is) would be the appropriate grade level to start using this handy new reference.

If the truth be told, though, most adults don't know these rules very well, if at all, either. So the help this little work can give to those of all ages, writing in what is to be hoped looks and reads like English, would be beneficial. Some of its advice, though, is pretty shallow and confusing. To wit: "Rule I: WHO vs. WHOM If he, she, or they can be substituted for the pronoun in context, the correct form is who. If him, her, or them can be substituted, the correct form is whom."

On the other hand, many inexpert writers are intimidated by standard English language texts that go into much more detail. Perhaps, then, this little writing book would be more welcome as a beginner's guide.

Recommended as personal buy or a gift for those who, or whom, are just starting out to compose, whether they be 9 or 90.

Though he's written eight books, and taken courses in fiction and scriptwriting at Harvard, Royal is actually an accountant and CPA. He's also a graduate in business from the University of Chicago. Royal resides in Hong Kong.