The Glamour of Grammar: A Guide to the Magic and Mystery of Practical English [Anglais] [Relié]

So, what do you think about when you hear the word "grammar"? As a kid, I would think "Uh oh; I guess I wrote something wrong again." As a young adult I'd say, "Hey, that's just the way I speak." As an Englishwoman moving to America I'd groan that it's not just the spellings that are different here but the grammar rules as well. And after reading this book I'd say, "Wow!"

So, what about my punctuation above? Why did I put that question mark outside the quotes when the exclamation point went inside at the end of the paragraph? I'd often wondered how to punctuate quotes, and since I want to be a writer, I'd often thought I really ought to learn. At last I have.

Clark's book starts by pointing out that "glamour" and "grammar" come from the same root. I guess is makes sense. After all, we "spell" words correctly or otherwise, and wizards cast "spells." Grammar's just the next step.

I used to teach chess, and I'd explain to the kids that there are two types of rules. Some have to be obeyed (pawns move forwards for example), or else you're not playing chess. Others are there to be understood and used judiciously (such as "Don't get your queen out too soon") to set or avoid falling into traps. Once you know the rules, you know what it means when they're broken.

Spelling's probably the first sort of rule, and Clark includes a chapter on how meanings can change where the wrong spelling or wrong word is used. Suddenly you're not saying what you thought; your reader's dragged out of the writing; you're not playing the same game. But other grammar rules can be judiciously broken. We just have to know what we're doing and why--be prepared for what the reader will see, and be ready to make sure it's what we intend.

Clark's chapters are written with delightful style, great voice, amazing examples, and just pure fun. (Yes, grammar can be fun!) There's advice for aspiring writers that any of us could use--the value of the well-chosen long or short word, the nuances of sound or foreign phrase, the alliteration of short and long sentences... And then there are chapter endings with quick and easily read "Keepsakes." There he might emphasize a point, help the reader practice a technique, or simply list the rules. (That's how I learned how to punctuate my first paragraph.)

Clark doesn't want to regiment our writing. He acknowledges how different countries (UK and US for example), industries (newspaper vs book), and even publishers have their own chosen styles. Obey the rules of your intended audience he says. But then he frees us to shift those chess pieces round and win the game.

Is grammar glamorous? It certainly is now. I love this book, and I'd recommend that everyone who loves reading or writing really should read it. I can hardly believe how lucky I was to get a copy to review--you'll hardly believe how lucky you are if you get your own copy too. And, just for reference, since Roy Peter Clark is vice president and senior scholar at the Poynter Institute, I have no qualms about trusting him to give me, and you, the right facts.

Roy Clark's new book, The Glamour of Grammar, is none of the following:
* A treatise on grammar
* A guide to grammar and style
* Competition for Strunk and White
* A volume of snarling "do nots."
Roy loves words and wants you to love them too in ways that will help you as a writer. He burrows beneath English words to show you their deep roots and reverberations. The "Glamour" in his title refers to magic powers, both in historical origins and modern persuasiveness. This book will enrich what you hear and what you write.

Learn to lie or lay,
as well as the principles behind the distinction,
Turn a language problem into a language lesson: lie
means "recline" and lay means"to place"
But in Hawaii, expect a lei.
(from the back cover)

With a lesson like the one above, how could you possibly go wrong with this book. While I've always been incredibly interested in the English language, reading this book turns it from an interesting subject to a fascinating one. If you only buy one book to help you write better, this would be the one.

Some people are born writers. Others of us learn to write by reading how other people write, and by practice. This is a book to keep on your nightstand (if you use your laptop in bed like I do) or on your desk (if you're a "real" writer (LOL!)) as you're writing (or before you start). There are so many practical lessons to be learned. Clark didn't write a book that you're supposed to read from start to finish. You could literally open the book in the middle, find the beginning of a passage and start reading. You're going to learn a new technique (like using shorter sentences to stretch out the story). Or you could start at the beginning and read a mini lesson at a time. Either way, you're not going to want to put the book down. It's just that good.

Although it's like going to English class all over again, it's so much better. While Mrs. Brusnwick was one of my favorite teachers, class did get a little, umm, boring.To be fair, Mr. Harris really tried to teach me that advanced math stuff, but I wasn't smart enough then. I'll still not smart enough.