Sin and syntax : how to craft wicked good prose

by Constance Hale

Paper Book, 2013

Description

"Today's writers need more spunk than Strunk- whether it's the Great American e-mail, Madison Avenue advertising, or Grammy Award-winning rap lyrics, memorable writing must jump off the page. Copy veteran Constance Hale is on a mission to make creative communication, both the lyrical and the unlawful, an option for everyone. With its crisp, witty tone, Sin and Syntaxcovers grammar's ground rules while revealing countless unconventional syntax secrets (such as how to use--Gasp!--interjections or when to pepper your prose with slang) that make for sinfully good writing. Discover how to- *Distinguish between words that are "pearls" and words that are "potatoes" * Avoid "couch potato thinking" and "commitment phobia" when choosing verbs * Use literary devices such as onomatopoeia, alliteration, and metaphor (and understand what you're doing) Everyone needs to know how to write stylish prose--students, professionals, and seasoned writers alike. Whether you're writing to sell, shock, or just sing, Sin and Syntax is the… (more)

Status

Available

Call number

808

Genres

Reference

Mind and Body

Publication

New York : Three Rivers Press, [2013]

User reviews

LibraryThing member Nickelini

A book that is both helpful and entertaining. Not often that I find myself laughing out loud while reading grammar books, but I did with this one.

7 more

LibraryThing member mashcan

This is a book about writing and primarily about the grammar end of it and here's the thing, it's actually a decent read. If Constance Hale had been teaching my high school grammer class instead of the evil Mrs. Walters then I is might ain't be so stupidest at words.

LibraryThing member Caleb

The best book on grammar that you will ever read. It reads like a novel and is infinitely helpful.

LibraryThing member gazzy

I don't know why the title is trying to sound sexy. Just another grammar book, albeit better than the dry ones read in college.

LibraryThing member Zisi

Clear, beautifully written, and entertaining to boot. I now use it as my primary reference for syntax, grammar, and style. Highly recommended.

LibraryThing member sturlington

An entertaining book that will help you review the parts of speech. It also helps tease out what makes writing good and what makes it clunky by looking at such intangibles as lyricism, voice, and melody of writing. A good read for writers, editors, and anyone who likes language.

LibraryThing member aquaorbis

Beware: if you're already anal retentive about word choice, grammar, style, and syntax, this book might be information overload. But, if you're a go-with-the-flow type that can take or leave writing advice, then this will make a pretty good guide on the subject of crafting sentences.

LibraryThing member KWharton

The author's style doesn't really appeal to me. I feel like she's trying too hard. However, I like the examples from well-known authors, particularly of them editing and improving their work.

I thought it was a bit of a cheap shot using song lyrics from Everclear to illustrate a point. Writing song

lyrics is not the same as writing prose.

As a translator, I am annoyed that Constance Hale gives Gabriel García Márquez the credit for writing wonderful sentences in English. He didn't write them, the translator did!

I haven’t made the most of this book because I haven't done the suggested exercises.

This would be a useful reference book for writers of all sorts.

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