The Syntax of Sports is that course you wish you took in college--even if you aren't a sports fan. It's interesting. It's practical. It's inspiring. And best of all, it teaches you a skill that is at once highly marketable and potentially transforming: how to become a better thinker and writer. The beginning of a multi-volume series, this initial book recreates the first day of class as it was taught to undergraduates at the University of Michigan. The examples are compelling. The dialogue is fast moving. The stories are ones you'll want to return to and retell over and over again. There is a reason the actual students who took The Syntax of Sports said the following things about it: "Every class I learned something new that I know I'll actually use in my writing for years to come. Couldn't be happier that I took a chance on Syntax of Sports." "Prof. Barry has structured the course so that it's almost impossible not to learn something valuable to take with you to future classes and future career possibilities." "I have learned a ton of techniques for being a better writer in this class. I have also learned many life lessons that will undoubtedly guide how I act in the future." "I absolutely loved this course because the teacher was so awesome. I enjoyed sitting through class listening to Professor Barry and falling in love with his brain."

Cognitive Development in a Digital Age James Paul Gee begins his classic book with "I want to talk about video games–yes, even violent video games–and say some positive things about them." With this simple but explosive statement, one of America's most well-respected educators looks seriously at the good that can come from playing video games. This revised edition expands beyond mere gaming, introducing readers to fresh perspectives based on games like World of Warcraft and Half-Life 2. It delves deeper into cognitive development, discussing how video games can shape our understanding of the world. An undisputed must-read for those interested in the intersection of education, technology, and pop culture, What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy challenges traditional norms, examines the educational potential of video games, and opens up a discussion on the far-reaching impacts of this ubiquitous aspect of modern life.

If your success at work or in school depends on your ability to communicate persuasively in writing, you'll want to get Good with Words. Based on a course that law students at the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago have called "outstanding," "A-M-A-Z-I-N-G," and "the best course I have ever taken," the book brings together a collection of concepts, exercises, and examples that have also helped improve the advocacy skills of people pursuing careers in many other fields--from marketing, to management, to medicine. "There is nobody better than Patrick Barry when it comes to breaking down how to write and edit. His techniques don't just make you sound better. They make you think better. I'm jealous of the people who get to take his classes." --Professor Lisa Bernstein, University of Chicago Law School and Oxford University Center for Corporate Regulation "Whenever I use Patrick Barry's materials in my class, the student reaction is the same: 'We want more of them.'" --Professor Dave Babbe, UCLA School of Law "Working one-on-one with Patrick Barry should be mandatory for all lawyers, regardless of seniority. This book is the next best thing." --Purvi Patel, Partner at Morrison Foerster LLP "I am proud to say that, when it comes to writing, I speak Patrick Barry. What I mean is that I use, pretty much every day, the writing vocabulary and techniques he offers in this great book. So read it. Share it. And then, if you can, teach it. There are a lot of good causes in the world that could use a new generation of great advocates." --Professor Bridgette Carr, Assistant Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Director of the Human Trafficking Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School "Patrick Barry is my secret weapon. I use his techniques every time I write, and I also teach them to all my students." --Professor Shai Dothan, Copenhagen Faculty of Law "I know the materials in this book were originally created for lawyers and law students. But I actually find them really helpful for doctors as well, given that a lot of what I do every day depends on effective communication. There is a tremendous upside to becoming 'Good with Words." --Dr. Ramzi Abboud, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

This text combines a practical, hands-on approach to programming with the introduction of sound theoretical support focused on teaching the construction of high-quality software. A major feature of the book is the use of Design by Contract.

To succeed in law, business, education, government, health care, and many other fields, it is becoming increasingly important to distinguish yourself as a savvy communicator. Social media has only accelerated the ways in which we all must learn to use our words to connect, compete, and create. Yet there are features of the English language that many of us haven't taken full advantage of yet. Notes on Nuance is designed to help change that. Drawing on a diverse collection of authors--from novelists to physicists, from ancient Greek historians to modern-day CEOs--it reveals the hidden mechanics that skilled writers use to add style and sophistication to their sentences and slogans. It's the perfect resource for people who are looking to do more with their written words.