I like to keep a variety of books going, including trade non-fiction, contemporary fiction, and classics. The three-part structure Constance Hale chose for Sin and Syntax is simple and progresses smoothly from the basic to the sophisticated through Words, Sentences, and Music, making the book accessible as a reference or refresher for the parts of grammar each of us finds trickiest. Sin and Syntax is “an open-minded, exuberant approach to style that is intelligent and refreshing,” says The San Diego Union Tribune. But, if you're a go-with-the-flow type that can take or leave writing advice, then this will make a pretty good guide on the subject of crafting sentences. A pithy review of writing technique with some great examples, it’s a good refresher with some nice tips for improving my craft. Sin and Syntax is the book I usually turn to, and the work I recommend most to writers who need to perk up their prose. Make observations about the content and syntax of each sentence or group of sentences. Constance Hale is the author of several books, including three on writing: Sin and Syntax; Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch; and Wired Style, the one-of-a-kind guide to online English usage and geekspeak that was hailed by Newsweek as "The Chicago Manual of Style for the Millennium." Sin and Syntax Constance Hale (Three Rivers Press, pp 306) Rating: Audience: Fiction and nonfiction writers Scope: Grammar: words, sentences, and the music of fine prose. Look … We asked authors, booksellers, publishers, editors, and others to share the places they go to connect with writers of the past, to the bars and cafés where today’s authors give readings, and to those sites that are most inspiring for writing. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Sin And Syntax at Amazon.com. Reviews. Right here is probably a good place to mention Hale’s “five new principles of prose” which she revisits throughout Sin and Syntax… To begin studying syntax, follow the following steps: Number the sentences in the passage. This will help analyze each sentence and discuss it efficiently. Beware: if you're already anal retentive about word choice, grammar, style, and syntax, this book might be information overload. Take a guided tour of Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans, New York City, and many other cities. Constance Hale, its author, is a journalist, editor and teacher who has written and edited for a range of publications, including Wired and the New York Times . Overview: I heard Constance Hale speak at the 2015 San Francisco Writer’s Conference. "Sin and Syntax" will teach you grammar in such a boring, contradictory way that you won't be able to put it down. Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wickedly Effective Prose, by Constance Hale. Her talk inspired me so much, I attended every other class she gave that weekend.… “Hale questions authority and celebrates the vernacular while reminding us that "discretion, sensitivity, and masterful metaphor still matter." other syntax techniques. After reading this book, my wife and kids came back to me once I began to speak to them in large, unknown words they could not understand. LibraryThing Review User Review - aquaorbis - LibraryThing. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Constance Hale is the author of several books, including three on writing: Sin and Syntax; Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch; and Wired Style, the one-of-a-kind guide to online English usage and geekspeak that was hailed by Newsweek as The Chicago Manual of Style for the Millennium. “This paper provides a review of the basic tenets of cancer biology study design, using as examples studies that illustrate the methodologic challenges or that demonstrate successful solutions ... “The agent is AWOL” –Sin and Syntax e.g. If I have a quibble about Sin and Syntax, it’s that it does not address more thoroughly the importance of creating nuance along with the necessary precision in word choice. The Short Stories, Ernest Hemingway.