First you write a sentence : the elements of reading, writing ... and life / Joe Moran.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Moran, Joe, 1970- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

English language--Sentences.

English language.

Creative writing.

Creative writing--Social aspects.

Physical Description:

229 pages ; 21 cm

Place of Publication:

[New York] : Penguin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2019.

Summary:

"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"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

A pedant' s apology, or why I wrote this book

The ape that writes sentences, or why word order is (almost) everything

Nouns versus verbs, or how to bring a sentence to life, but not too much

Nothing like a windowpane, or how to say wondrous things with plain words

The high-wire act, or how to write long and legato without running out of breath

Foolish like a trout, or how to join sentences together with invisible thread

A small, good thing, or why a sentence should be a gift to the world.

Notes:

"First published in Great Britain by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House UK, 2018"--Title page verso.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 213-219) and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Moran, Joe, 1970- First you write a sentence.

ISBN:

9780143134343

0143134345

9780241978511

0241978513

OCLC:

1073100277