WHEN WORDS COLLIDE is the most versatile grammar and usage handbook for beginning and continuing media writers. The book is praised by readers for its straightforward, clear treatment of grammar, offered in a lighthearted, almost conversational tone. As a handbook, it serves as a reference tool for writers throughout their writing careers. It provides concise and clear explanations and examples, or a quick and accurate answer to a grammar or usage question. The unique 'from writer to writer' perspective engages writers and guides them firsthand through the writing process.

This spiral-bound handbook provides ready advice on grammar and usage, identifying and explaining the relevant rules. After some general pointers, chapters focus on specific elements of composition, including the parts of speech, sentences, agreement, case, passive and active voice, punctuation, spelling, clarity and coherence, style, and sensitivity. The volume ends with a brief topical guide to grammar and word use. The authors teach at the University of Oregon. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

"I really like the clarity and directness of the writing style. In fact, style is one of the book's main strengths. The examples are clear, succinct and extremely helpful."

"College students will find the casual writing style a refreshing change from many of their other textbooks. The conversational tone and frequent use of analogies turns a boring subject into an interesting narrative."

"Coverage of crucial grammar areas comprise the text's chief virtues as does its clear organization, which makes easy the navigating of tenets included."

Kessler and McDonald's WHEN WORDS COLLIDE is praised by students for its straightforward and clear-almost conversational-presentation of grammar. This versatile grammar and usage handbook will work for you as a beginning student and as you continue as a media writer. It provides concise, clear explanations and examples, as well as quick and accurate answers to grammar or usage questions. The unique 'from writer to writer' perspective guides you through the writing process.

Lauren Kessler is the author of ten books, including Los Angeles Times best-seller and Oregon Book Award finalist The Happy Bottom Riding Club (Random House 2000), the biography of one of the most colorful women of the 20th century: pioneering aviatrix, Hollywood stunt pilot and bordello madame Pancho Barnes. Her other books include a season-in-the-life narrative about women's sports, Full Court Press (Dutton 1997); Stubborn Twig (Random House1994), which won the Frances Fuller Victor Award for literary nonfiction; and After All These Years (Thunder's Mouth Press 1990), portraits of 60s radicals critics praised as "vital and revealing." Her books have been translated into Italian, Japanese and Chinese. Kessler's essays have appeared in Salon, The Nation and Oregon Quarterly. She writes regularly about the craft of writing for Writer's Digest and has published articles in a variety of magazines. The founder and editor of Etude, an online magazine devoted to new and emerging voices in literary nonfiction, she directs the graduate program in literary nonfiction at the University of Oregon in Eugene. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington and is a graduate of the Medill school of Journalism, Northwestern University.Duncan McDonald is currently serving at the University of Oregon as Vice President for Public Affairs and Development. He is a past winner of the University's prestigious Ersted Award for excellence in teaching, and has co-authored four well-known textbooks grammar, media writing, information gathering and graphics. He is an active freelance photographer, and his work is frequently published and exhibited. He has had experience as a newspaper photographer, reporter, editor and publisher. From 1992 to 1994, McDonald was chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Media Studies Center at Columbia University. In addition to his work on skills texts, McDonald investigates how writing is taught and how we acquire and use language. The implications of electronic and digital manipulations of photographs are also among his research interests.

Preface. Part 1: Understanding Grammar and Style. 1. grmr: CWOT? 2. Ten Little Secrets Ten Big Mistakes. 3. Parts of Speech, Part 1: The verb is THE word. 4. Parts of Speech, Part 2: completing the picture. 5. The Sentence. 6. Agreement: The Search for Harmony and Order. 7. Case: It's All About Relationships. 8. Punctuation: Graceful Movements, Confident Stops. 9. Spelling. 10. Clarity, Conciseness, Coherence. 11. Style. 12. Sense and Sensitivity. Part 2: Topical Guide to Grammar and Word Use.