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Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wickedly Effective Prose by Constance Hale, Karen Elizabeth Gordon
kipahni's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book to be effective in presenting common grammer mistakes and how to avoid making word choice blunders.
it inspired me.
it inspired me.
katrinia17's review
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
I have read many books on the topic and this one is hands down my favorite. The author explains everything in a simple way and keeps the tone and voice lighthearted. There are tons of good and bad examples. On top of that the author makes sure to let it be known that language changes. They denounce the tired out classiest and racist idea that English is only spoken and written in one way and that is the proper way. They make it known that all the grammar rules we demand were invented fairly recently and that many just are outdated or make no sense.
And I love how they use languages authors from around the world to show how diverse writing really is.
Overall a great book and one I will be referencing.
And I love how they use languages authors from around the world to show how diverse writing really is.
Overall a great book and one I will be referencing.
tarabyt3's review
5.0
It's technically about grammar, but really it's more about being conscious of what you're writing and some pointers on how to make it more vivid. Has a lot of really awesome quotes and is quite eclectic and well-informed. Most importantly it will make you laugh a LOT. I'm not a good judge of how non-grammar nerds will like it, but if you like writing or are interested in grammar, you will probably love it. If you don't, you will probably learn something and maybe laugh a lot, if not as much as I did.
venusdewillendorf's review
1.0
The information that Hale presents is great, but her tone is that of a scolding, unwavering prescriptivist. Because of her general refusal to accept that language is elastic (save for a couple of exceptions), several of her chapters end up taking a sharp turn towards classism, ageism, and racism. No thanks!
wilsonthomasjoseph's review
4.0
Hale shows us that writing guides can be well written. Her writing is witty, funny and succinct. Sometimes, she is a little too succinct with her descriptions, which means that a novice writer might get lost in her explanation prose; however, I forgive her.
rosepetals1984's review
5.0
Initial reaction: This was definitely well worth the purchase. Considering this takes apart prose piece by piece for function, it's definitely well worth using to see trouble spots in one's edits, as well as how to enhance the prose while breaking a few rules.
Full review:
I'm really glad I picked up Constance Hale's "Sin and Syntax" because I think its a wonderful examination into how the parts of a sentence contribute to the strengths in one's writing, and not only shows the rules for what you can do with your prose grammatically, but also shows where you can bend and break the rules and still have an effective way of drawing your audience into the narrative. Hale cites several helpful examples and I especially liked her expansion on nouns, verbs, and adjectives in terms of how to best punctuate the narrative using them. There are expansions on adverbs, subjects and predicates, prepositions, conjunctions, simple sentences, cadence, voice, among other dimensions that contribute to the narrative you create. I think of this as an immensely valuable resource for writers, and would highly recommend perusing it.
Overall score: 5/5
Full review:
I'm really glad I picked up Constance Hale's "Sin and Syntax" because I think its a wonderful examination into how the parts of a sentence contribute to the strengths in one's writing, and not only shows the rules for what you can do with your prose grammatically, but also shows where you can bend and break the rules and still have an effective way of drawing your audience into the narrative. Hale cites several helpful examples and I especially liked her expansion on nouns, verbs, and adjectives in terms of how to best punctuate the narrative using them. There are expansions on adverbs, subjects and predicates, prepositions, conjunctions, simple sentences, cadence, voice, among other dimensions that contribute to the narrative you create. I think of this as an immensely valuable resource for writers, and would highly recommend perusing it.
Overall score: 5/5
goodreads's review
3.0
I suppose nothing will prevent grammar books from being dry and boring!
Sin and Syntax provides plenty of sound, awesome information, though. The structure of each chapter (which is divided into the Bones, Flesh, Cardinal Sins, Cardinal Pleasures, and Catechism sections) is unique.
Certain lines held subtle beauty. “As infants we coo and babble and let consonants roll around our mouths like mother’s milk,” and, “Discover the rut you’re in, and climb out,” and, “Your mamma’s so mean you have to take two trains and a bus to get on her god side.”
Hale pulls her examples of exemplary writing (as well as not-so exemplary writing, much of it from politicians) from a plethora of sources (these were the exemplary ones): Joan Didion, Junior Díaz, William Faulkner, Jane Austen, Nicki Minaj, Bob, Dylan, the King James Bible, Downton Abbey, Urban Dictionary, the Atlantic, NPR, TED Talks, Twitter, writing contests, Hale’s emails with colleagues, Hale’s yoga teacher. That was neat.
Even so, I found myself trudging through this book. Sin and Syntax, ultimately, is a regurgitation of every English textbook I have read in my life. It’s repackaged, surely, but I found nothing new. I am not a shill for grammar, so maybe this perspective affected my read.
(The book, in its chapter about clauses, was humorously self-aware about its slow content: “If you’re a real grammar masochist—in other words, your eyes have not glazed over, and you are twitching for more—this box is for you.” These sort of quips are sprinkled all throughout the writing.)
But what can one expect from a tome about syntax?
I def learned a lot and i’mma definitely use all this foodstuffs in everything I do lmaooooooo plus I’ll def read this again
you should read this if you want to write anything
Sin and Syntax provides plenty of sound, awesome information, though. The structure of each chapter (which is divided into the Bones, Flesh, Cardinal Sins, Cardinal Pleasures, and Catechism sections) is unique.
Certain lines held subtle beauty. “As infants we coo and babble and let consonants roll around our mouths like mother’s milk,” and, “Discover the rut you’re in, and climb out,” and, “Your mamma’s so mean you have to take two trains and a bus to get on her god side.”
Hale pulls her examples of exemplary writing (as well as not-so exemplary writing, much of it from politicians) from a plethora of sources (these were the exemplary ones): Joan Didion, Junior Díaz, William Faulkner, Jane Austen, Nicki Minaj, Bob, Dylan, the King James Bible, Downton Abbey, Urban Dictionary, the Atlantic, NPR, TED Talks, Twitter, writing contests, Hale’s emails with colleagues, Hale’s yoga teacher. That was neat.
Even so, I found myself trudging through this book. Sin and Syntax, ultimately, is a regurgitation of every English textbook I have read in my life. It’s repackaged, surely, but I found nothing new. I am not a shill for grammar, so maybe this perspective affected my read.
(The book, in its chapter about clauses, was humorously self-aware about its slow content: “If you’re a real grammar masochist—in other words, your eyes have not glazed over, and you are twitching for more—this box is for you.” These sort of quips are sprinkled all throughout the writing.)
But what can one expect from a tome about syntax?
I def learned a lot and i’mma definitely use all this foodstuffs in everything I do lmaooooooo plus I’ll def read this again
you should read this if you want to write anything
roniloren's review
4.0
Even if you feel you have a good handle on grammar, this book is worth a read. If for nothing else, read it for the chapters on Voice, Lyricism, Rhythm, and Melody and for the fantastic examples of beautiful writing given throughout the book. This book will inspire you to work harder on your writing, to choose words with more thought, and to pay attention to the music of your prose. I plan to keep this one on my shelf.