Painless Writing (Barron's Painless)

Painless Writing (Barron's Painless)
by Jeffrey Strausser

Painless Writing (Barron's Painless)
List Price: $8.99
Our Price: $0.69
You Save: $8.30 (92%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


or

Book Summary Information

Author: Jeffrey Strausser
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2001-09-01
ISBN: 0764118102
Number of pages: 246
Publisher: Barron's Educational Series
Product features:
  • ISBN13: 9780764118104
  • Condition: Used - Very Good
  • Notes: 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Accessories:

Book Reviews of Painless Writing (Barron's Painless)

Book Review: Give "Painless Writing" an A+
Summary: 5 Stars

Give an A+ and 5 stars to Jeffrey Strausser's "Painless Writing." Although the "Painless" series books are geared toward middle school students, I highly recommend this book to any one of any age.

On my high school graduation day over twenty years ago, I stepped off the platform with a diploma in my hand and a gold cord of excellence around my neck for winning the English award. I sailed with ease through my college composition courses and I annually compose about a thousand messages and memos to perform my job. Therefore, I thought there was nothing that I could learn about writing from a simple, entertaining book like "Painless Writing." I was wrong.

I was excited to discover that some of the topics and techniques covered in "Painless Writing" were new to me. For instance, I had never encountered the term "nominalizations" before. If that term is new to you, too, don't worry; you'll find out how to use them properly. Also, I was surprised to learn that the term "expletive construction" did not pertain to words best left out of fine, cultured writing, but rather, it refers to sentences beginning with the words "there are," "it is," etc.

"Painless Writing" simply explains each new topic and then provides exercises with answers to allow you to practice the new skills and techniques being covered. These exercises are not dull and boring like those we suffered with in our grammar books once-upon-a-time ago; they are entertaining and delightful.

Sample examples show both "poor" and "better" writing. I thought this method of teaching was extremely helpful.

The test answers are written out completely and then explained by the author. So, if you choose a wrong answer, you can see why the other answer was correct. This extra effort on the author's part is invaluable.

Another feature that I liked was the page numbering. "Say, what?" you say. Yes, I loved the page numbering. Each page number is written large enough for even forty-year old eyes to read and highlighted in a pink circle making it easy to see (this is great for flipping to the answer section).

I have already begun to incorporate some techniques that I learned from this book into both my private and professional writing.

Good job, Jeffrey Strausser.

The contents cover the following topics: Preposition clutter, enlivening writing, silencing the passive voice, reducing nominalizations/activating your writing, smoothing out your writing, using commas (not a boring chapter! you'll like it), adding rhythm to your writing, ten common writing errors (several of which I needed review), and for those still in school-a real bonus-a template for writing a term paper.
End of comments.

Summary of Painless Writing (Barron's Painless)

Titles in Barron's Painless Series are textbook supplements designed especially for classroom use by middle-school and high school students. The approach of each title is an appeal to students who think that the subject is boring, or too difficult, or both. The authors, all experienced educators, take a light approach, showing kids what is most interesting about each subject, and how seemingly difficult problems can be transformed into fun quizzes, brain-ticklers, and challenging puzzles with rational solutions. Here is practical advice that transforms essay writing into a satisfying experience for middle school and senior high school students. The author offers tips on enlivening writing with vivid images, smoothing out sentences, silencing the dull passive voice, and adding rhythm to writing. He also shows how to create a template that students can use when writing research papers for all subjects. In addition, students will find web site reference s cited throughout the text, which they can access. Brain ticklers (short quizzes) appear throughout the book with an answer key at the back.

Children's Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Children's Books
Looking for Bobowicz: A Hoboken Chicken Story ImageLooking for Bobowicz: A Hoboken Chicken Story
by Daniel Pinkwater
HarperCollins; Published: 2004-06-01; Library Binding; Book
Best price: $4.98
Price in other shops: $16.89
The Magician's Nephew, Color Gift Edition (Narnia) ImageThe Magician's Nephew, Color Gift Edition (Narnia)
by C. S. Lewis
HarperCollins Narnia; Published: 2003-10-28; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.37
Price in other shops: $19.99
My Book About Me (Beginner Books) ImageMy Book About Me (Beginner Books)
by Dr Seuss
Harpercollins; Published: 1983-03-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $21.39
Call of the Wild (Hrw Classics Library) ImageCall of the Wild (Hrw Classics Library)
by Jack London
Holt Rinehart and Winston; Published: 1997-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $0.32
Price in other shops: $17.00
Apple Valley Year ImageApple Valley Year
by Ann Turner
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; Published: 1993-09-30; Hardcover; Book
Price in other shops: $14.95
The Tales of Olga da Polga ImageThe Tales of Olga da Polga
by Michael Bond
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; Published: 1989-04-30; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $83.57
The Complete Chronicles of Narnia ImageThe Complete Chronicles of Narnia
by C. S. (Clive Staples) Lewis
HarperCollins Children's Books; Published: 2006-11; Hardcover; Book
Price in other shops: $165.00
How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? ImageHow Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?
by Jane Yolen
Harpercollins Childs; Published: 2004-01-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.10
Oh, The Places You'll Go! ImageOh, The Places You'll Go!
by Dr Seuss
HARPER COLL CHILDREN; Published: 2003; Paperback; Book
Lorax ImageLorax
by Dr Seuss
HARPER COLL CHILDREN; Published: 2004; Paperback; Book
Similar Books and other products
Vocabulary Workshop: Level D ImageVocabulary Workshop: Level D
by Jerome Shostak
William H Sadlier; Published: 2005-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $13.70
English Workshop, Second Course ImageEnglish Workshop, Second Course
by Rinehart, and Winston, Inc. Holt
Steck-Vaughn; Published: 1998-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $24.41
Price in other shops: $37.40
Painless Study Techniques (Barron's Painless Series) ImagePainless Study Techniques (Barron's Painless Series)
by Michael Greenberg
Barron's Educational Series; Published: 2009-02-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.98
Price in other shops: $9.99
Painless Reading Comprehension (Barron's Painless Series) ImagePainless Reading Comprehension (Barron's Painless Series)
by Darolyn E. Jones
Barron's Educational Series; Published: 2004-10-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.61
Price in other shops: $9.99
Painless Spelling (Barron's Painless) ImagePainless Spelling (Barron's Painless)
by Mary Elizabeth M.Ed.
Barron's Educational Series; Published: 2006-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.99
Price in other shops: $8.99
Painless Geometry (Barron's Painless) ImagePainless Geometry (Barron's Painless)
by Lynette Long
Barron's Educational Series; Published: 2009-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.80
Price in other shops: $9.99
Barron's Painless Grammar (Barron's Painless Series) ImageBarron's Painless Grammar (Barron's Painless Series)
by Rebecca Elliott Ph.D.
Barron's Educational Series; Published: 1997-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.50
Price in other shops: $8.95
Painless Vocabulary (Barron's Painless) ImagePainless Vocabulary (Barron's Painless)
by Michael Greenberg
Barron's Educational Series; Published: 2006-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.91
Price in other shops: $9.99
Painless Algebra (Barron's Painless) ImagePainless Algebra (Barron's Painless)
by Lynette Long Ph.D.
Barron's Educational Series; Barron's Educational Series; Published: 2006-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.95
Price in other shops: $9.99
Painless Grammar (Barron's Painless) ImagePainless Grammar (Barron's Painless)
by Rebecca Elliott Ph.D.
Barron's Educational Series; Published: 2006-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.50
Price in other shops: $9.99