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Clean, Well-Lighted Sentences: A Guide to Avoiding the Most Common Errors in Grammar and Punctuation
An extraordinary handbook: with clarity and humor, it tells the story that even good writers have been longing to hear. Clean, Well-Lighted Sentences is a small, engaging book that sits at your desk and gives golden advice. It knows precisely what your questions are, answers them clearly, makes sure you understand, and stops. What an unusual find: a grammar and punctuation guide that speaks only about issues that trouble―nothing more. Perfectly suited to anyone who has to write, from high-school and college students to senior-level executives.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
89 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Janis Bell
5 books5 followersJanis Bell has been teaching writing, in many settings and diverse formats, since 1973. She began her career as a composition and business writing instructor at San Francisco State University, where she had earned her Master's degree in English with an emphasis in teaching writing.
She then taught for the San Francisco Community College District in a variety of venues, including several campuses and 50 government agencies.
In 1980 she marketed herself to private industry and since that year has delivered on-site writing seminars to a wide range of professionals -- computer manufacturers, software developers, public relations firms, pharmaceutical and engineering companies, healthcare insurance providers, banks, investment firms, law offices, newspapers, fire and police departments, mining and shipping firms, nonprofits.
She also led writing workshops and provided individual tutoring for graduate nursing students at University of California Medical Center, San Francisco.
She designed and delivered writing seminars for Executive MBA programs.
She taught professional writing to graduate business students from Paris, France, studying in the United States as part of the French equivalent to an MBA program.
She served as writer and editor for the Department of Health and Human Services (Administration for Children and Families, Region IX).
And, since 1982, she has been teaching business writing at Golden Gate University, a business and law school in San Francisco, CA.
Janis was born in San Francisco on August 1, 1948, and is living there still.
She then taught for the San Francisco Community College District in a variety of venues, including several campuses and 50 government agencies.
In 1980 she marketed herself to private industry and since that year has delivered on-site writing seminars to a wide range of professionals -- computer manufacturers, software developers, public relations firms, pharmaceutical and engineering companies, healthcare insurance providers, banks, investment firms, law offices, newspapers, fire and police departments, mining and shipping firms, nonprofits.
She also led writing workshops and provided individual tutoring for graduate nursing students at University of California Medical Center, San Francisco.
She designed and delivered writing seminars for Executive MBA programs.
She taught professional writing to graduate business students from Paris, France, studying in the United States as part of the French equivalent to an MBA program.
She served as writer and editor for the Department of Health and Human Services (Administration for Children and Families, Region IX).
And, since 1982, she has been teaching business writing at Golden Gate University, a business and law school in San Francisco, CA.
Janis was born in San Francisco on August 1, 1948, and is living there still.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 28, 2011
This is amazing and thoroughly written book on two of the biggest challenges most well-intentioned writers face: the underlying doubt of correct grammar use in a piece and remembering to essential (and correct) punctuations within key areas in the piece. This book has been (and is) a God-send to me both as a professional and in my leisure life in my poetry and short story writing.
Janis Bell is truly an exceptional author, writer and teacher and her sense of humor and love of writing makes an excellent presenter and motivator on this subject matter. She's the set when it comes to writing. I've know her for many years and have witness how her craft and talents have furthered the professional lives of others.
Bless you, Janis!
Leslie
Janis Bell is truly an exceptional author, writer and teacher and her sense of humor and love of writing makes an excellent presenter and motivator on this subject matter. She's the set when it comes to writing. I've know her for many years and have witness how her craft and talents have furthered the professional lives of others.
Bless you, Janis!
Leslie
May 3, 2013
This is the quickest read to learn if you have written a decent sentence. She is right to the point. After I bought I kept it on my lap for months. I could look up examples and later on actually remember them.
Lots of grammar books last as long as a novel. This is a slender easily understood read. Just great!
Lots of grammar books last as long as a novel. This is a slender easily understood read. Just great!
December 10, 2018
This is one of my favorite books about grammar and writing. Clear, simple, and easy to understand, this book deserves a spot on any writer or editor's shelf. Bell outlines the most important rules you need to know and remember to write well in English, while the lack of fluff makes it a handy reference guide.
December 18, 2008
Janis Bell put everything quite simply in this book. I think it would be a great help to anyone who needs a brush up on sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar.
January 5, 2011
What a fun book about grammar! I read it because I'd heard her interviewed on the radio.
January 2, 2020
Love this book and its common-sense approach to grammar. Well compartmentalized so that finding an answer to your question is easy -- this book is a treasure trove!
July 13, 2018
A big help for me especially regarding moods and punctuation. I liked that there is a quiz at the end of each chapter, with key to correction.
August 20, 2019
There must have been a boom in grammar books aimed at general audiences between Eats, Shoots & Leaves in 2001 and the last Grammar Girl book in 2012.
I certainly haven’t read all of the books published during this period, but so far Janis Bell’s Clean, Well-Lighted Sentences might be my favorite. In seven clear chapters Bell covers the most common mistakes that writers of English make.
What makes this book so appealing to me is that it contains both instruction that is easily understood, and plenty of grammar terminology. The latter is something that other books of this type shy away from in order to appeal to the widest possible audience. Bell’s willingness to use terminology, though, means that her book is one I would certainly recommend to rookie ESL teachers.
Now, some people might scoff at the idea of giving a tiny little book to serious English teachers. Seriously, though, there is a huge mass of teachers going overseas every day without proper resources and training. If someone had asked me when I started teaching how to use the present perfect tense properly, I wouldn’t have known how to respond. Nor would I be able to explain the subjunctive mood, or the difference between a coordinating conjunction and a subordinating conjunction… or any of the most basic grammatical terms and concepts. Like most teachers I just wasn’t taught that kind of stuff. Obviously a teacher who takes their job seriously will reach for something more comprehensive (like, say, Michael Swan’s “Practical English Usage”) but Bell’s book is a perfect way to grasp the basics in under an hour. Heck, an eager teacher could read it on the flight over.
Anyways, the chapters here are:
Case
Agreement
Verb Tense and Usage
Verb Mood
Modifiers
Connectives
Punctuation
Each chapter ends with a little quiz.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this book to ESL students (Swan’s book is a better reference) but I think it is perfect for general audiences and teachers.
Oh, if you are curious about the book’s odd title, it is a riff on the title of a short story by Ernest Hemingway.
I certainly haven’t read all of the books published during this period, but so far Janis Bell’s Clean, Well-Lighted Sentences might be my favorite. In seven clear chapters Bell covers the most common mistakes that writers of English make.
What makes this book so appealing to me is that it contains both instruction that is easily understood, and plenty of grammar terminology. The latter is something that other books of this type shy away from in order to appeal to the widest possible audience. Bell’s willingness to use terminology, though, means that her book is one I would certainly recommend to rookie ESL teachers.
Now, some people might scoff at the idea of giving a tiny little book to serious English teachers. Seriously, though, there is a huge mass of teachers going overseas every day without proper resources and training. If someone had asked me when I started teaching how to use the present perfect tense properly, I wouldn’t have known how to respond. Nor would I be able to explain the subjunctive mood, or the difference between a coordinating conjunction and a subordinating conjunction… or any of the most basic grammatical terms and concepts. Like most teachers I just wasn’t taught that kind of stuff. Obviously a teacher who takes their job seriously will reach for something more comprehensive (like, say, Michael Swan’s “Practical English Usage”) but Bell’s book is a perfect way to grasp the basics in under an hour. Heck, an eager teacher could read it on the flight over.
Anyways, the chapters here are:
Case
Agreement
Verb Tense and Usage
Verb Mood
Modifiers
Connectives
Punctuation
Each chapter ends with a little quiz.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this book to ESL students (Swan’s book is a better reference) but I think it is perfect for general audiences and teachers.
Oh, if you are curious about the book’s odd title, it is a riff on the title of a short story by Ernest Hemingway.
December 3, 2020
This book is criminally underrated I wish more people knew about it. As the title promises it covers the most common grammar and punctuation errors. It's split into eight chapters each chapter dedicated to one topic like mood or tense. Chapters begin with clear explanations and examples of the topic and then go on to explain the errors. Each chapter ends with a quiz (with answers) to allow the reader to test their new knowledge.
My one complaint is that I wish Bell provided more examples in the chapters and maybe two quizzes instead of one. This isn't a huge problem (hence the five stars) as she does a brilliant job of explaining everything without boring the reader with extra words. I enjoyed her style and sense of humor and would recommend this book to anyone who wants to increase their grammar skills.
My one complaint is that I wish Bell provided more examples in the chapters and maybe two quizzes instead of one. This isn't a huge problem (hence the five stars) as she does a brilliant job of explaining everything without boring the reader with extra words. I enjoyed her style and sense of humor and would recommend this book to anyone who wants to increase their grammar skills.
October 23, 2023
Straightforward, easy to use and understand. Useful as a refresher or for those looking to cover the basics of grammar and punctuation. More enjoyable to read than most books on this topic.
August 11, 2025
me: what is "subjunctive mood"?
every english teacher I've ever had: don't worry about it kitten
me: oh ok
every english teacher I've ever had: don't worry about it kitten
me: oh ok
February 8, 2009
This book is an enjoyable way to learn about grammar. It's great for people who already have a pretty good mastery of English grammar, and they need a little tweaking.
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September 9, 2016Loved her interview and picked up the book..
http://star.kqed.org/a/forum/R809081000
http://star.kqed.org/a/forum/R809081000
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews