CIPR

Finding attention-grabbing words is not easy. Check thesaurus for synonyms, rack brain for fancy phrases. Look up dictionaries. Search wordbooks. But you're still stuck. The answer lies in "1001 Words You Need to Know and Use" by reference book editor and language trainer Martin Manser, part-rime tutor at the London College of Communication.

This handy title covers the best words for client presentations and project proposals to press releases and corporate slogans. It includes the pitfalls to avoid and gives hints on how similar words differ in slant and meaning. More importantly, Manser advises on how to express yourself persuasively with panache and clarity.

Not only will it help you to choose working words for your PR campaigns and to negotiate contracts with suppliers, it tells you how best to describe products and services. It helps with writing reports and with motivating readers and audiences. Just makes life easier all round.

And if the time comes to change your job, there's advice on how to express yourself in CV, application letter and, yes, when you face the interviewer.

Each word is defined and followed by usage examples. Take for instance, the adjective effective: 'Successful in producing the result that is wanted or intended: Aspirin is a simple but highly effective treatment'. Is the word you want effective or efficient? 'Effective means having an intended or desired effect, efficient applies to actions, well organised with minimum waste of effort'. When applied to a person it means 'capable'.

Start at the 22-page subject index. If, for instance, you are writing a report, go to that heading to find the best words to present your thoughts persuasively. You could choose accurate, compelling or significant, or a combination of all three. Then, go to the A-Z sequence where you'll find the meaning and use of these words.

There's no reference to 'our' words publicity, public(s), but the verb communicate is there with its derivatives. Subject index type is on the small side, making readability tough for the tired eye.

As far as I know, this is the only book (OUP £5.99) of its kind. Sample sentences are drawn from the Oxford English Corpus, the world-renowned language database. It's worth every penny and well deserves a place on your bookshelf.

John Foster FCIPR advises on matters of style and communication and welcomes comments. Contact jonf@dircon.co.uk. John is the author of Effective Writing Skills for Public Relations (Kogan Page)