BOOK REVIEW: The Glamour of Grammar – A Guide to the Magic
and Mystery of Practical English by Roy Peter Clark
Early in the history of English, ‘glamour’ and ‘grammar’
were the same word, linked to enchantment and magical spells. Now ‘grammar’
brings to mind language bullies and bored-out-of-their-skulls students.
Roy Peter Clark, one of America’s most influential writing
teachers, wants to change that by putting the glamour back into grammar.
Whether you are composing a novel, a memo, an e-mail, or a
blog post, you can immediately apply any of the lessons Clark lays out in 50
short chapters.
Covering everything from the parts of speech to why
effective writers prefer concrete nouns and active verbs, Clark teaches you how
to use commas, periods, and semicolons to their fullest advantage; befriend the
lively verb ‘to be’; avoid “hypergrammar”;properly place those tricky modifiers;
and harness other secrets of powerful prose.
Above all, he teaches you how to master grammar to perfect
you use of English, to hone meaning, and to charm through your writing.
In a world where we communicate more and more through
e-mails and text messages, how you use language matters – even in 140
characters. This book prepares you to captivate with every word.
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