A pocket-sized, information-packed and entertaining guide that has been compiled on the basis of long experience in helping people produce documents written in good English, with the underlying message that simple English is the best English.

What not to Write deals with all those awkward issues - acronyms, ambiguity, American-English, bureaucratese, business English, captions, clichés, grammar, hyphens, jargon, punctuation, quotations, sexist writing, spelling, writing letters and much, much more.

Writing English should be a pleasure and although there are rules and conventions, as this book shows, they should be used as a foundation on which to build the confidence to explore the richness and versatility of the language and to put the message across, clearly and simply, in a way that will capture the reader's attention.

This handy reference book will be a vital tool for anyone working with the written word, particulary those who write client/company reports, theses, professional papers - students and professionals alike will benefit from having a copy to hand.

'A little gem of a reference book for every office.' Peter Sutherland, Chairman BP Plc

'What Not To Write is useful and fun - a rare combination.' Hugh Sykes, BBC correspondent and Sony News Journalist of the Year, 2004

'Today's employers demand high standards of written English. This comprehensive guide addresses those areas that cause problems in offices everywhere. An essential tool!' Sir Digby Jones, former Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

'As with a missing button or a split fingernail, the English reader's eye goes straight to small slips in written language. Judgements can be formed on the basis of a single, trivial error. Here's how to avoid them' Matthew Parris, author, columnist and broadcaster

' Do read this book from cover to cover, after doing so you'll be left in no doubt as to its usefulness. It is interesting, useful and sensibly laid out, and as with a dictionary, all offices should have access to such a book.' Manager, British Journal of Administration Management

'For anyone who struggles with grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc., What not to write: a guide to the dos and don'ts of good English is an extremely useful little book to guide you through those problems.' The Structural Engineer