"In Artful Sentences: Syntax as Style, Virginia Tufte shows how standard sentence patterns and forms contribute to meaning and art in more than a thousand wonderful sentences from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The book has special interest for aspiring writers, students of literature and language, and anyone who finds joy in reading and writing."--Publisher's description.

A must-have for any student or aspiring writer, this book reviews the fundamentals of good sentence structure: Conventions of writing style change in subtle ways with passing years—a fact that prompts the need for periodic revisions of books like this one. The authors review the fundamentals of good sentence structure and then go on to describe twenty basic sentence patterns that encompass virtually every effective way of writing sentences in English. They also draw on passages by current prominent writers, using these examples to show how varying rhythm and sentence patterns can result in elegant writing styles that keep their readers interested. Exercises with answers and explanations appear throughout the text. Overflowing with practical and useful advice, this little gem will change the way people write.

The Second Edition ofGreat Sentences for Great Paragraphsteaches beginning- and low-intermediate-level students the grammar needed for accurate sentence construction and the basics of paragraph development. The text uses sample paragraphs to provide students with authentic input regarding English composition, paragraph organization, and cohesion. In addition, contextualized grammar activities, suggestions for additional writing practice, journal-writing assignments, and an emphasis on peer editing all work together to help students develop academic writing skills. TheWord Buildingfeature offers practice with common suffixes and helps students develop a rich vocabulary. Building Better Sentencesencourages students to practice constructing and combining sentences—the cornerstones of good paragraph writing. Many guided writing activities are supported by additional online material and provide independent practice of targeted structures. Activities with additional web-based content are indicated by icons in the text. Quizzes on the instructor web site help you assess student progress.

“Do you want to write clearer, livelier prose? This witty primer will help.” —The New York Times Book Review An exploration of how the most ordinary words can be turned into verbal constellations of extraordinary grace through the art of building sentences The sentence is the common ground where every writer walks. A good sentence can be written (and read) by anyone if we simply give it the gift of our time, and it is as close as most of us will get to making something truly beautiful. Using minimal technical terms and sources ranging from the Bible and Shakespeare to George Orwell and Maggie Nelson, as well as scientific studies of what can best fire the reader's mind, author Joe Moran shows how we can all write in a way that is clear, compelling and alive. Whether dealing with finding the ideal word, building a sentence, or constructing a paragraph, First You Write a Sentence informs by light example: much richer than a style guide, it can be read not only for instruction but for pleasure and delight. And along the way, it shows how good writing can help us notice the world, make ourselves known to others, and live more meaningful lives. It's an elegant gem in praise of the English sentence.

A New York Times bestseller—“Part ode, part how-to guide to the art of the well-constructed sentence” (NPR). Some appreciate fine art; others appreciate fine wines. Stanley Fish appreciates fine sentences. The New York Times columnist and world-class professor has long been an aficionado of language. Like a seasoned sportscaster, Fish marvels at the adeptness of finely crafted sentences and breaks them down into digestible morsels, giving readers an instant play-by-play. In this entertaining and erudite gem, Fish offers both sentence craft and sentence pleasure, skills invaluable to any writer (or reader). How to Write a Sentence is both a spirited love letter to the written word and a key to understanding how great writing works; it is a book that will stand the test of time. “Both deeper and more democratic than The Elements of Style” —Adam Haslett, Financial Times “A guided tour through some of the most beautiful, arresting sentences in the English language.” —Slate

Diagram no more—inspire all your student writers! Imagine leaving behind the drudgery of diagramming sentences. Imagine, instead, joyful writers who are capable of revising their work and writing effectively. By taking writing down to its basic building block—a solid sentence—and advancing from there, students will develop confidence, enjoy creating sentences, and ultimately empower each other as writers. Lessons for Grades 3-12 include: A variety of sentence patterns presented in a logical sequence An explanation of each pattern′s structure and conventions Reinforcement activities and sample sentences for each pattern Activities to develop the necessary instructional vocabulary As students become engaged in the process, they will work toward: Meeting the Common Core State Standards for Language Arts Understanding and using basic sentence structures Recognizing what makes a sentence effective Learning to put sentences together to write effective paragraphs This indispensable handbook serves as a blueprint for instruction and unit development by emphasizing the end goal: preparing students to be effective writers. Along the way, all students, including English language learners, will gain the fluency and automaticity needed for effective daily writing and for success on high-stakes tests. "Hostmeyer provides the tools teachers need to make grammar instruction meaningful and engaging so students build the knowledge they need to craft not only sentences, but strong pieces of writing that meet the demands of the Common Core." —Carol Gallegos, Literacy Coach Hanford Elementary School District, Hanford, CA "The author′s knowledge of how students learn, passion for finding ways to teach sentence patterns, and willingness to share those strategies with the world all combine to make this a book that every writing teacher can use." —Norma Barber, Language Arts Teacher Ukiah School District 80R, Ukiah, OR

Better Sentence Writing in 30 Minutes a Day features clear discussions of rules and strategies for good writing. Concise explanations and an abundance of exercises reinforce the skills necessary for strong written communication. From filling in the blanks to joining short sentences into longer and more graceful combinations, this book will improve all writing capabilities. An answer key in the back encourages self-paced learning.