It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Killer Sentences Paperback – July 27, 2010

It’s funny that after reading a book on grammar that I almost started this review off wrong. Not that this is much better.I really enjoyed June’s humorous examples.I was a product of the early 70’s where The Robert’s English Series was the latest craze, and so I wasn’t exposed to some of the must haves in my writing arsenal. Instead of diagramming sentences, deconstructing sentences was the equivalent of a math equation and I sucked at mat. I always felt less than a writer because of the gaps in my learning and constantly second guess myself.This is a great tool for perfectionists like me and you really can’t beat the price.

In grade school I never paid attention to learning grammar and syntax because I could read at a level 2-3 grades ahead of my class. What I didn't know was that grammar would help me write better. June Casagrande's slim book is fun to read, may improve your writing, and as a result, could enthuse your readers if you have any.

This was a good reference book, and I found myself highlighting practically everything in it. The author gave good advice, tips, exercises, and examples throughout the book. I wish I had this book when I wrote my first book, and while I was editing another book.I liked her sense of humor, but I hated her strong feelings against using semicolons (even though she gave an example with a semicolon in it. It's the one about an elephant). Personally, I love the semicolon; I have no intention of omitting it!This is definitely a book you will refer to time after time.

I can’t recommend this book strongly enough. Not only is it informative, but it’s presented in such a way that it’s not tedious. Dare I even say . . . fun?Though I already knew many of the basics that dealt with punctuation and grammar, I bought this book with the intention of honing my editing skills. Sentence structure is something I’m always on the lookout to improve while editing, so I truly enjoyed the chapters that dealt with word-by-word dissection of ad copy, paragraphs, opening lines, and more. I have to admit, I looked at some of those and thought, “Well, that’s not so bad,” and then cringed at how many things had to change to make the clearest sentence possible. As I continued to read, though, the errors became more and more obvious, and I didn’t feel nearly as lacking in my observational skills.If you’re a writer, you need to read this. Perhaps more than once. It can only help you in making your writing tighter.If you’re an editor, this little book should be on your reference shelf as one of the handiest guides you’ll ever own. The very end of the book, in fact, is one of my favorite parts: an appendix that lists the most incriminating errors you can make—the ones that will brand you as a hack and tell your readers “the writer is out of her element,” according to Ms. Casagrande. They’re the misused words that drive grammarphiles insane, and the very stuff that will drive an Internet argument off-topic and down the road of personal insults in a heartbeat.If you’re a homeschooler, you need to get this for yourself and your kids and start them off right, with an instructional book that won’t bore them to tears.After all, with chapter titles such as “Antique Desk Suitable for Lady with Thick Legs and Large Drawers,” how can you go wrong?

This book is a gem.Buy it. Read it. Immerse yourself in it.I've bought several books on writing; this is the only one I've finished reading. In fact, I'm reading it a second time. And when I'm done, I'll read it a third time.In this book, June shows us how a basic knowledge of grammar can improve our writing. Appendix A on the formation of sentences complements the book proper. Each chapter abounds with cogent instruction--examples are provided, errors are pointed out and suggestions given on how to fix them. Great teaching pedagogy for this kind of thing.I do have a quibble, though. For some reason, Miss Casagrande despises the semicolon. So much so, that she omits it from Appendix B--on punctuation. Sure, she does state that a lot of people having trouble using the semicolon. But isn't that all the more reason to explain it? So that we don't continue to misuse it? Furthermore, I have seen deft uses of the semicolon by expert writers; surely, the semicolon has its place.One qualification: I am a novice writer (and I use the term "writer" loosely); therefore, the great benefit that I have gained from reading this book--is because there is much I don't know. However, I suspect that writers who are more skillful than I, can still pick up a thing or two. Regardless, it's always good to review the fundamentals.Overall: Great book. Full of humor. Marvelous read.