The Penguin Guide to Plain English. Express Yourself Clearly and Effectively

Plain English is good, clear English, says Harry Blamires. It is unambiguous and uses language correctly, and because it is never muddled or confused, neither is the reader or listener. Illustrating the many pitfalls of written and spoken English, from misuse of vocabulary to mixed metaphors, this unpedantic, common-sense guide is a must for speakers and writers who wish to express themselves fluently.
- Demonstrates how we can clarify our writing by knowing what we want to say and expressing it in well-chosen, well-ordered words
- Makes distinctions between similar words that may cause difficultly
- Explains how to use figures of speech such as metaphors to enliven language rather than confuse it
- Guides the reader in the writing of clear prose with explanations of grammatical points, punctuation and sentence construction
- Shows how to avoid the excesses of "business-speak" in areas such as publicity and recruitment, banking and the National Health Service