Writing: Grammar, Usage and Style

by Jean Eggenschwiler, Emily Dotson Biggs

When it comes to pinpointing the stuff you really need to know, nobody does it better than CliffsNotes. This fast, effective tutorial helps you master core grammar, usage, and concepts – from parts of speech, punctuation, and clauses to common sentence errors, misused words, and the elements of style – and get the best possible grade. At CliffsNotes, we're dedicated to helping you do your best, no matter how challenging the subject. Our authors are veteran teachers and talented writers who know how to cut to the chase – and zero in on the essential information you need to succeed.

Genres: Reference, Writing, Nonfiction, School

214 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

Reviews

[Dave]

Essential

This is essential for quick (and sometimes not-so-quick) refreshers for various aspects of English grammar. A must-read for any education level.

[James Love]

This book along with Algebra I & Algebra II are perfect gifts for Junior High through College aged students.

[Miranda Libra]

This book was recommended to me when I got my Certificate for Medical Interpreter--it is helpful.

[Eugenio Fouz]

Practical manual on writing. Pretty useful chapters 11, 13 and 14 which deal with the process of pre-writing. Appendix on frequent mistakes one can make and ambiguous expressions

[Stephen Hero]

After The Freemasons denied me admittance due to my ongoing Catholicism, I found myself preparing an acceptance speech for The Society of Abstract References and Uncommon Puns.

Robed in the standard uniform, I then proceeded to commence with my pun-laden acceptance speech:


Mr. Cutlery, a forked radish of a fellow, was spooning his loved one several nights ago when he exclaimed "Spooning doesn't cut it." His loved one disapproved of his statement, jumping up, stating "Have a knife night," and leaving the premise.

"Boy, can she dish it out," our scorned fellow did bellow before attempting to ring her mobile. Unable to recall her cellular number, the recently scorned fellow had to internally admit that he fork-got (sic) her number.

Staring in the mirror, Mr. Cutlery convinced himself that losing his loved one was no big deal because ultimately she really didn’t "look very knife." Laughing aloud due to what he believed to be a very cutting edge remark, Mr. Cutlery found himself ultimately bowled over by his own witticism.


I was denied admittance to the club due to my speech containing no abstract references. And, on top of that, a senior board member stated that, regardless of any lack of abstraction, my speech simply wasn't "too sharp." Ouch.

Walking home alone later that evening I probably figured that it was "...one too many fork references that did me prong."

[Mariana Dantas]

This book is full of typos and grammar mistakes. Although I'm not an English native speaker, I could spot many of them. For example: page 207 (Glossary) "Adverb - A word that modifies a noun, pronoun, or another adverb." We all know it's wrong and therefore unacceptable for a book that is meant to teach us good English.

[Jonathan]

None

[Megan]

I've read this so much my copy is worn out. I even had to go get a more current edition, and new, to replace it!