This book is designed for people who wish to improve their written English. They may be in a job, like a secretary who is required to draft on her own the replies to incoming letters, or evento improve her employer's style. A man may have to prepare sets of instructions for operating a mechanism, or to set out the main points in anawkward insurance problem.

Yet others may need to pass an examination in English, andamong these there will be many learners of English as a second language. Some may just want to produce better writing, for the good reason that, for those whose native language itis, the 'subject' is closely bound up with personality. For instance, confused and vague writing may be the signs of a confused and vague mind; and an improvement in written work helps one to sort out and make up one's mind.