The Great Grammar Book by Marsha Sramek

Paperback - Pages: 232

Publisher: Arch Press (2010)

ISBN-10: 0984115714

ISBN-13: 978-0984115716

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The Great Grammar Book, an unusually entertaining grammar text, enables readers to not only master their grammar problems, but also to write clearer, more concise, and more readable sentences. The well organized book uses step-by-step instructions along with crystal-clear examples to ensure that readers fully understand each topic.

The book uses fun facts, amazing trivia, and odd news events to make learning grammar fun.

Over 2,000 practice sentences-more than any other text-make it possible for readers to master even long-standing grammar problems.

Focusing on the commonly encountered bulk of real-world writing, the book uses and explains only those grammatical terms which are necessary to avoid mistakes or to improve writing skills. (Good-bye indirect and direct objects.)

The book opens with a 100-question, diagnostic grammar text (with answer key) to help readers discover their grammar weaknesses. The comprehensive text then covers using correct pronouns, verbs, capital letters, apostrophes and all punctuation as well as essential sentence structure including sentence fragments and run-on sentences. There is even a word usage chapter to sort out confusing words such as imply and infer and figuratively and literally.

If you don't know how or when to use a colon, or if you mistakenly think a long sentence is the same as a run-on sentence, or if you aren't sure when to use a capital letter, then you will find this book an essential addition to your bookshelf.

The final chapter is a practical guide to better writing called "Successful Writing Strategies" which addresses wordiness, unclear pronoun references, meaningless phrases, using parallel construction, writing varied sentences, and combining sentences for more forceful writing.

Especially important to students is the advice on writing essays, research papers, and works of literary criticism.

This is a book that could help you significantly improve your writing. Plus, you'll also learn Calvin Coolidge's favorite practical joke.

"Unless you are an editor, proof reader or teacher, the thought of reading a book on grammar will make you say, “ugh.” The Great Grammar Book by Marsha Sramek will surprise you. It’s a fresh breath of grammar air. . . The Great Grammar Book is a great reference to keep on hand for any student, blogger, writer or anyone who wants to improve their written words. Five of five stars." ~ C Carter Martina, CC Chronicles

Written in a clean, easy-to-follow workbook format, The Great Grammar Book focuses on the most frequent errors in English allowing several practice sentences and exercises to put your grammar anxiety at ease.

Within the 12 chapters you will find the proper usage of subject-verb agreement, pronouns, punctuation, double negatives, and more. Everyone from middle school age through adult (including us bloggers), will strengthen our grammar and composition skills. Another helpful resource is the techniques of writing proper essay papers and writing professional business letters.

A brush-up on similar words that are often misused is a great go-to guide. Just a few examples include:

accept/except
affect/effect
all ready/already
imply/infer

This well organized book begins each chapter by introducing you to a specific problem area, and explains to you step-by-step on the proper usage, then gives you the opportunity to take several exercises to sharpen your skills (the Answer Key is located at the back of the book), and lastly gives you a Writing Tip and then an Example to ensure that you've mastered it.

About the Author..

Marsha Sramek began teaching English over 30 years ago. Until her recent career shift to textbook writing and publishing, she taught in public and private schools, as well as tutoring high school seniors in the college application process.. She was the Faculty Sponsor/Editor of the school newsletter and spent four years classroom-testing this book.

Ms. Sramek never enjoyed studying grammar as a student and was determined to write a grammar book that was fun to read as well as a book that was comprehensive.

She and her husband enjoy hiking, traveling, and gardening. They divide their time between residences in Asheville, NC and Hilton Head, SC.


Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. The opinions expressed above are my own.

Logo/Images Courtesy of © 2012 by Marsha Sramek, Arch Press, LLC.