Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wicked Good Prose

Written by Constance Hale

Narrated by Coleen Marlo

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 Syntax covers 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 guide you need to improve your command of the English language.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Apr 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781977346292

Reviews for Sin and Syntax

[Nia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A 5-star book in grammar. Halley’s delivery is practical, ingenious, and powerful.

[tjwilson_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[kwharton-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[aquaorbis-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[sturlington_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[zisi_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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

[gazzy_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[nickelini · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[mashcan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[caleb_7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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