A storehouse of practical writing tips—written in a lively, conversational style. Provides new insight into: how to generate interesting ideas and get them down on paper; how to write a critical analysis; how to write a crisp opener; how to invigorate a banal style; how to punctuate with confidence; how to handle various conventions—and much more. Students learn to develop a “writer's sense”: the book demonstrates that writing is really applied psychology since it is essentially the art of creating desired effects. Provides an explanation of what effects are desirable and how to create them. An exceptional book that works successfully on several levels simultaneously. Readily accessible to college freshman, yet sophisticated enough to delight a senior English Honors class. Unusually flexible, the book can function equally well as both a self-teaching text (in literature courses, etc.) and a companion text (in composition and journalism courses).