How Not to Write: The Essential Misrules of Grammar by William Safire

William Safire’s book, How Not To Write: The Essential Misrules of Grammar, is intended to be a guide on how to write well yet not rely solely on traditional rules of grammar in order to do so. Safire provides the reader with the tools needed to not just break the rules but to become an expert in writing by understanding them first.

In the introduction of the book, Safire argues that grammar isn't just a set of rules, but also serves to reveal contexts and other information about what is being written. He states that it is only through an understanding of “the essence of good writing” that one can truly become an expert writer. Safire then provides the reader with the most essential misrules of grammar and how to break them in order to engage in “liberating yourself from the straightjacket of prescriptivism.”

The book is divided into two parts, the first part covering the misrules of grammar and the second part covering able writing. Safire provides an extensive list of misrules that can often lead to writing that is less than clear and engaging. These misrules include: not choosing appropriate words for the intended audience, misplacing punctuation marks, creating run-on sentences, and using the wrong verb tense. Safire also provides advice on spotting and correcting these mistakes in order to create more concise and effective writing.

In the second part of the book, Safire addresses the importance of being able to construct clear and meaningful sentences in order to generate an engaging piece of writing. He stresses the importance of using active verbs, parallel structure, and noun-verb agreement when crafting sentences. Safire also emphasizes the importance of being able to recognize clichés in written pieces and how to avoid them, as well as how to use senses and details to create descriptions that are vivid and clear.

Finally, Safire provides a list of helpful tips and techniques that he believes are essential to avoid common mistakes in grammar when writing. Some of these techniques include, but are not limited to: reading aloud one’s work, taking an honest assessment of one’s work, and learning to be able to recognize one’s weaknesses and work on them.

William Safire’s How Not To Write: The Essential Misrules of Grammar is a valuable resource for anyone interested in improving their writing skills. It provides an in-depth examination of some of the most common mistakes and missteps that can occur in writing, as well as advice on how to avoid them and create something more concise and engaging. By providing helpful examples and detailed instructions on how to use active verbs, noun-verb agreement, and other helpful tips, Safire provides the reader with the tools needed to become a better writer and engage in liberating themselves from the straightjacket of prescriptivism.