How to Write a Sentence and How to Read One

by

English language

Published Jan. 11, 2011 by Harper.

ISBN:
978-0-06-184054-8
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OCLC Number:
641532413

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4 stars (7 reviews)

Some appreciate fine art; others appreciate fine wines. Stanley Fish appreciates fine sentences. The New York Times columnist and world-class professor has long been an aficionado of language: "I am always on the lookout for sentences that take your breath away, for sentences that make you say, 'Isn't that something?' or 'What a sentence!'" Like a seasoned sportscaster, Fish marvels at the adeptness of finely crafted sentences and breaks them down into digestible morsels, giving readers an instant play-by-play. In this entertaining and erudite gem, Fish offers both sentence craft and sentence pleasure, skills invaluable to any writer (or reader). His vibrant analysis takes us on a literary tour of great writers throughout history—from William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Henry James to Martin Luther King Jr., Antonin Scalia, and Elmore Leonard. Indeed, How to Write a Sentence is both a spirited love letter to the written word and a key …

1 edition

reviewed How to Write a Sentence and How to Read One by Fish, Stanley Eugene.

Review of 'How to Write a Sentence and How to Read One' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

What makes a swoonworthy sentence? What is it about one particular collection of just the right words, arranged just the right way, that reaches across miles and years from writer to me and slams those goosebump neurons? Having just caught my breath after reading [b:There There|36692478|There There|Tommy Orange|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1512071034s/36692478.jpg|58040066], I wanted to understand more about the art of composing readable prose. I’m still no closer to being able ever to craft any, but I think Fish has helped me identify what it is I love about some writing and possibly even love it more. Kind of art/music appreciation for books, and, like those, only time will tell how much sticks with me.

The book is mostly enjoyable, with a good balance of explanation and contemplation: the mechanisms, then classic examples with analysis of what makes them work. Fish emphasizes structure and context and arranges his chapters in meaningful sequence. That last …

reviewed How to Write a Sentence and How to Read One by Fish, Stanley Eugene.

Review of 'How to Write a Sentence and How to Read One' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I can't imagine a better companion to Strunk and White. This is a book for people who love sentences. Fish demonstrates how sentence construction follows particular forms, and that it's these forms, rather than an exhaustive knowledge of Grammar, that can be learned and replicated. Highly recommended if you have any interest in the English language. This is obviously a book for writers, but I think it would be valuable to avid readers and students of any discipline.

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