By Robert M. Mickolay

         How To Get It Right When You Write, by Al Borowski (2000) is the first in a series of books based on his workshops to improve writing. The concepts and ideas presented in the book have been put into practice over the fourteen years Borowski has been running his workshops. It offers techniques and time saving tips to improve writing, and a grammar lesson that is easy to follow and will help improve anyone’s writing skills.

          The greatest strength of this book lies in its step-by-step process. The chapters flow from one to the other with steps on where to begin, how to begin, and what to do next. The reader discovers that many of the ideas learned in the past about writing are erroneous and that he/she can write. They can improve their writing to better their position at work, get a job, get published, or accomplish any of the goals they decide to set for themselves. If the reader needs motivation to begin writing, advice about writing in cyberspace, a reminder about writing for an audience, e-mail etiquette, or a review on grammar and writing, and they want an easy to read, sometimes-comical book, then this book is for him/her.

Chapter one, "You Win - Guaranteed", provides an excellent introduction to the concepts covered later in the book, as well as an opportunity for the reader to set his/her own action plan for improving his/her writing. Borowski tells us in chapter two, "Your readers do not have the ability to ask you questions, study your body language, or read your mind when they read your documents." (p.13) He offers five things the reader must know before writing, seven helpful hints to be successful when writing, reassurance that he/she can become a better writer, and a "yes you can" (p. 30) section discussing some of the misconceptions about writing. Borowski uses the phrase, "100 words-10 pages-two blue books," throughout the book to describe how he learned to write in school. He was asked to write more as he progressed through school, not to produce better writing. The final part of chapter two discusses the importance of writing for an audience and the most important thing in writing, subject-verb-relationship.

Chapters three and four offer quick, easy grammar lessons that contain practice exercises, immediate feedback, and why the reader should follow these concepts. Chapter three is split into three parts beginning with a lesson on verbs and how to avoid using them incorrectly. The second part of chapter three is a bonus section that offers suggestions on how to save time during periods of writing. The final part of chapter three is a chapter review that highlights the main points discussed in the chapter. Chapter four includes more grammar lessons and things to avoid when writing. Chapter four, like chapters two and three, includes a chapter review that highlights the main points discussed in the chapter.

The final chapter, chapter five, "Reality Check," is a review of the preceding four chapters. Borowski gives an excellent review of each chapter listing the most important parts and pointing out the important terms and ideas in bold print. On the last page of chapter five Borowski provides his contact information for the reader to contact him with questions, comments, or criticisms.

How To Get It Right When You Write is an excellent book for business people, teachers, college students, or anyone looking to improve his/her writing. The book has easy to follow grammar lessons, immediate feedback, chapter reviews, and the main points are printed in bold lettering for easy reference throughout the book. How To Get It Right When You Write is an easy to read, sometimes-comical book that will improve anyone’s writing.
Robert Mickolay is a graduate student at Duquesne University in Pennsylvania