It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Killer Sentences

This book is a gem. Buy it. Read it. Immerse yourself in it. I've bought several books on writing; this is the only one I've finished reading. In fact, I'm reading it a second time. And when I'm done, I'll read it a third time. In this book, June shows us how a basic knowledge of grammar can improve our writing. Appendix A on the formation of sentences complements the book proper. Each chapter abounds with cogent instruction--examples are provided, errors are pointed out and suggestions given on how to fix them. Great teaching pedagogy for this kind of thing. I do have a quibble, though. For some reason, Miss Casagrande despises the semicolon. So much so, that she omits it from Appendix B--on punctuation. Sure, she does state that a lot of people having trouble using the semicolon. But isn't that all the more reason to explain it? So that we don't continue to misuse it? Furthermore, I have seen deft uses of the semicolon by expert writers; surely, the semicolon has its place. One qualification: I am a novice writer (and I use the term "writer" loosely); therefore, the great benefit that I have gained from reading this book--is because there is much I don't know. However, I suspect that writers who are more skillful than I, can still pick up a thing or two. Regardless, it's always good to review the fundamentals. Overall: Great book. Full of humor. Marvelous read.

I can’t recommend this book strongly enough. Not only is it informative, but it’s presented in such a way that it’s not tedious. Dare I even say . . . fun? Though I already knew many of the basics that dealt with punctuation and grammar, I bought this book with the intention of honing my editing skills. Sentence structure is something I’m always on the lookout to improve while editing, so I truly enjoyed the chapters that dealt with word-by-word dissection of ad copy, paragraphs, opening lines, and more. I have to admit, I looked at some of those and thought, “Well, that’s not so bad,” and then cringed at how many things had to change to make the clearest sentence possible. As I continued to read, though, the errors became more and more obvious, and I didn’t feel nearly as lacking in my observational skills. If you’re a writer, you need to read this. Perhaps more than once. It can only help you in making your writing tighter. If you’re an editor, this little book should be on your reference shelf as one of the handiest guides you’ll ever own. The very end of the book, in fact, is one of my favorite parts: an appendix that lists the most incriminating errors you can make—the ones that will brand you as a hack and tell your readers “the writer is out of her element,” according to Ms. Casagrande. They’re the misused words that drive grammarphiles insane, and the very stuff that will drive an Internet argument off-topic and down the road of personal insults in a heartbeat. If you’re a homeschooler, you need to get this for yourself and your kids and start them off right, with an instructional book that won’t bore them to tears. After all, with chapter titles such as “Antique Desk Suitable for Lady with Thick Legs and Large Drawers,” how can you go wrong?

I liked Verlyn Klingenborg's book 'Several Short Sentences about Writing' more, for its unusual format and its clear messages about the writer's craft and the challenge of sentences. On the other hand, 'It was the best of sentences..' has more about grammar and placement of words and clauses. Examples of how the author parses a draft sentence and makes it a better sentence are interesting and ultimately may be what I take away most from the book.

In grade school I never paid attention to learning grammar and syntax because I could read at a level 2-3 grades ahead of my class. What I didn't know was that grammar would help me write better. June Casagrande's slim book is fun to read, may improve your writing, and as a result, could enthuse your readers if you have any.

Ms. Casagrande and I are in complete agreement concerning that which goes into the creation of a good sentence, of a great sentence. I had an inward 'yes, yes, yes!' reading her introduction and she writes these things cleanly and coherently and I ran through the book. I ran and laughed in delight at how well she described the importance of a well-structured sentence, a good sentence that will cause your reader to read on. The very enchantment of good writing. The sentence is that which engages the reader. Obviously there can be no paragraph without sentences and good and fine and great paragraphs can only be populated by good and fine and great paragraphs. Once each decade, maybe, I come across a book that I wish that I had written. This is my choice for the years between 2010-2019. A gentle and humorous book that explains a complex art simply. By the final page, if you have been a good reader, Ms. Casagrande will have made you a good writer or, at least, a competent writer. All that I have taught others is here - how could I not like the book?

英語のネイティブスピーカー対象のライティング教本である。Kevin was being watched.では、watchedは過去分詞なので受け身文、Kevin was being coy. ではcoyは形容詞なので能動文であるといった(pp. 94-95)、文法に強い（？）日本人には不要な説明もあるが有益な説明も少なくない。たとえば、If you enjoy seafood, the restaurant offers many fresh fish selections. は非論理的でまずいが、If you want me, I’ll be in my room.は許されるという(pp.26-27)。どちらも非論理的だが、それを許容するか否かはネイティブスピーカーの直観であろうか。(昔読んだ談話分析の本にもIf you are hungry, there is something to eat in the fridge. というのがあった。ここでは、「勧誘」の間接発話行為に分類されていた)。通読して行くと、ネイティブスピーカーの考え方に関していろいろ楽しい情報が得られる書である。

This is a great guide for any non-fiction and fiction writer to understand the basics and learn how to turn that into more complex knowledge. She even says that writing rules are meant to be broken, but in order to break them you have to know how to follow them first. Great book from an experienced writer, editor, and journalist who just wants to help create the best sentences out of the worst ones!

Soy maestra deinglés y el mibro me ayudó muchísimo a entender algunas dudas que tenía respecto a la construcción de oraciones, sobre todo para los alumnos más avanzados o que tienen que escribir en inglés.

Enjoyed reading it in two days. June is talented and funny, which makes the complicated subject of ‘Grammar’ easily digestible.

I love seeing how the nuts and bolts of language work together. I’m already finding my writing stronger. It’s empowering.