| The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier: How to Solve the Mysteries of Weak Writing | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 8 reviews)
Sales Rank: 95057
Category: Book
Author: Bonnie Trenga
Publisher: Writers Digest Books
Studio: Writers Digest Books
Manufacturer: Writers Digest Books
Label: Writers Digest Books
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 160
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7 x 4.6 x 0.5
ISBN: 1582975612
Dewey Decimal Number: 808.042
EAN: 9781582975610
ASIN: 1582975612
Publication Date: April 3, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier, editor Bonnie Trenga presents the ten lessons writers need to know to improve their informative, persuasive, and creative work. This guide: - Covers the big picture of what comprises poor writing, rather than focusing on the picky details that rarely concern most writers and editors
- Introduces each lesson in an entertaining mystery format to help readers better grasp what they're learning
- Shares fast-and-easy lessons that can be learned in ten minutes and practiced in thirty
Perfect for creative writers, editors, business writers, tech writers, and students, this book will help any reader create stronger writing.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
Touching on passive voice, abuse of the suffix -ing, run on sentences, and many other common accidents of writers June 9, 2008
One can have the best grammar in the world, but if the writing is still horrible, it's going to be very technically sound horrible writing. "The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier: How to Solve the Mysteries of Weak Writing" looks at all the causes of bad writing and how to repair them and revise them. Touching on passive voice, abuse of the suffix -ing, run on sentences, and many other common accidents of writers, "The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier: How to Solve the Mysteries of Weak Writing" is an essential guide for novice writers with its unique and entertaining approach to improve themselves.
 An interesting approach to good writing July 17, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I am an avid writer. I have written several novels and some nonfiction. As part of my writing regimen, I read at least one writing instructional book between each draft of each project.
I picked up a copy of Curse of the Misplaced Modifier and read it. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't my favorite grammar book. In this book, Bonnie Trenga tackles 7 of the most common writing problems; passive voice, nominalization, -ing words, weak verbs, misplaced modifiers, long sentences, and wordiness. She worked as an editor and has drawn from her professional experience to narrow most writing errors into these categories.
I enjoyed the examples of bad and corrected writing. I enjoyed her selection of common errors and her advice to writers about how to correct these errors by forming better writing habits. I wasn't so enamored by the cuteness of her prose. I am more of a nuts and bolts man. I like to roll up my sleeves and get right down to the rules of good writing without a lot of fluff. However, for some her lighthearted approach might be just the thing.
Good job, Bonnie.
-Craig Nybo, co-author of Total Human: The Complete Strength Training System
An Excellent Reference for Writers of All Skill Levels May 25, 2007
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
A decade as a professional copyeditor and proofreader prompted Bonnie Trenga to write a reference book. She noticed that beginning and experienced clients alike made the same mistakes. Sometimes the mistakes lay with grammar or punctuation, but usually sentence structure was the problem.
At the time, none of the available grammar books addressed the problems she continually encountered. She felt that writers needed a guide covering the seven common writing mistakes she saw most often.
The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier is the result of her effort.
Writing well takes more than correct grammar. A sentence with ackward phrasing can cause readers to lose interest. So, instead of focusing on grammar, Misplaced Modifier concentrates on writing clear sentences that inform and entertain readers.
Each chapter begins with a short mystery story full of the writing mistake addressed. The chapters are short, direct and supported by examples. Each one is concluded by a recap and a summary. Trenga tells us what she's going to tell us, tells us what she told us, and then tells us again.
The problems discussed in the book include passive voice, nominalization, vague -ing words, weak verbs, misplaced modifiers, long sentences and wordy prose. Although the example stories are mysteries, the information is useful for any form of writing.
After the seven chapters on writing felonies comes a list of ten writing misdemeanors. The list covers punctuation, cliches, spelling and vocabulary. An answer key for the mistake-ridden mysteries and a glossary follow.
The book concludes with a weak writing rap sheet. The rap sheet repeats the information presented in the book in a graph form. It's format, which lists problems, examples and fixes, makes it easy to find the answers to specific questions.
A Must Have for Anyone Editing a Manuscript or Wanting to Hone Writing Skills. March 16, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Bonnie Trenga has created a fun book that also helps you hone your writing skills. The seven most commonly corrected errors editors fix have been disected into seven interesting and fun chapters complete with exercises to help you stop the errors and create a more readable, intriguing story. I have been using this book while editing my manuscript, and find it indispensable. I highly recommend it for anyone serious about honing their writing craft.
A wonderful book January 6, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is, quite simply, a wonderful book for writers of all levels; whether high school, college, professional, or otherwise. If your writing is sick, because of weak sentence structure and improper grammar usage, reading this book will help heal it. The lessons found here will mend your words, and they will flow strong and true right from the heart of your writing, coursing through every sentence, bringing new life to your meaning.
I'm a professional writer who is always in search of ways to improve my craft, and have shelves of writing books; many of which are on the subject of grammar. They, for the most part, are dry, lifeless, and make for very dull reading. But 'The Curious Case Of The Misplaced Modifier' is different. It presents explanations of seven common grammatical mistakes in an easy to grasp, personal, and thoroughly enjoyable way. It's almost as if the author was sitting on the couch next to me, sipping tea, while explaining why and how to build better sentences through the proper use of grammar.
Although a physically small book, measuring just 8"x5" with some 150 pages, it packs a huge wallop.
Yes, Gracie, good things do come in small packages. Buy it, you will not be disappointed.
Barry Gluck
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