Comma Sutra: Position Yourself for Success with Good Grammar

by Laurie E. Rozakis

A whimsical, offbeat approach to grammar for both novice and experienced writers provides helpful guidelines for sentence construction, the effective use of modifiers, punctuation, and other problem... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1593372795
• ISBN13: 9781593372798
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Adams Media Corporation
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 6.4"

Customer Reviews

Book Review

As a writer, it's necessary to know the rules of grammar, even if they are to be broken for the sake of the piece being written. The book, "Comma Sutra," is cleverly written with interesting side notes and exercises that are as funny as they are useful.

Laugh & Learn

Comma Sutra: Position Yourself for Success with Good Grammar by Laurie Rozakis, Ph.D. is a hilarious and practical guide to good grammar. I don't think there are any other books on grammar as funny as this one. Having good grammar and knowing how to use punctuation is essential to anyone who wants to make a good impression. As a professional writer and part time copy editor I found out that I had certain deficiencies with my grammar and punctuation. This book helped me improve in several areas. It's a quick read and easily referenced. I would highly recommend it to anyone with a need to improve their writing skills. It makes a great gift as well, as both the gift giver and receiver will enjoy a laugh together. Paul Genesse, Author & Copy Editor [...] Author of The Golden Cord Book One of the Iron Dragon Series (Five Star Books, April 2008)

Recommended for audiences from young adults through adults

Sentence building, modifiers, and common grammar are usually covered in grammar school and long forgotten in adulthood, so it's refreshing to find a fun review by grammarian Dr. Laurie Rozakis who links sexual innuendoes with basic grammar for maximum effect. Modern examples and fun social and historical references add spice to the topic, with plenty of examples and exercises throughout encouraging all ages to identify and repair common grammatical errors. A lively, whimsical yet solid references, highly recommended for audiences from young adults through adults.

Laurie Rozakis makes grammar sexy

Is there anything better to do on a hot summer Friday night than read and practice lessons from the COMMA SUTRA? Laurie Rozakis makes grammar sexy. As a high school English teacher, I have made it a goal to develop a way to make the teaching of grammar to high school students something that is rewarding for the teenaged student and something they can actually make connections to. Laurie Rozakis's COMMA SUTRA, I conclude after only 30 minutes of reading since I've returned form the bookstore, will be a great source of inspiration. I will, with a whisper, echo Tee C. Royal's review and caution that the COMMA SUTRA, because it is sexy, should be previewed and determined by you if it is appropriate for the younger people in your life. I find great value in the book because it supports my educational philosophy of teaching through metaphor: take something the students do know to introduce a concept that they do not. Put your moral position aside-teenagers know sex. This is why I believe that in a controlled environment that is facilitated by a mature adult there are lessons that are in the COMMA SUTRA that can be modified and be rewarding for the younger student. I do not want the tone of my review to suggest that the COMMA SUTRA should be reserved for students and teachers. Any user of the English language-that would be you if you are reading this-will find value, insight, and entertainment form the book. After all, being that the English language can be so slippery, and we all try to be cunning linguist, having a mentor to guide you into better positions will only help you add spice in the utterances that come from your tongue and the ink that leaks from your pen.

Getting it right...

Kama Sutra, Comma Sutra...hmmm, interesting, huh? Can sex sell good grammar? Perhaps there is a way to combine the two, yet produce an instructional guide that is entertaining and informative. Though I don't know Laurie Rozakis' inspiration for coming up with her latest book, I do know that the title immediately caught my attention. COMMA SUTRA: Position Yourself for Success with Good Grammar is a writer's guide with a twist. Playing off the sex guide Kama Sutra, she uses wording more reminiscent of foreplay than dotting "I's" and crossing "T's" to give a memorable lesson most will pay attention to and actually learn. As there is a lot of sexual innuendo, such as "Assume the Position," "Spice Up Your Life," and "Sex and the Single Sentence," I would definitely wait until the college level to introduce it to students, but it is a great lesson in grammar. Broken into three parts, the book teaches the basics of writing, moves into proper grammar and punctuation, and delves further into problem areas such as subject/verb agreement and misplaced modifiers. Divided into three parts categorized as "Basic Training," "Be a Player," and "Bring It On Home," Rozakis offers fun quotes and tests for the information covered. Much more is included in this handy little writing guide. Original, fun, and educational, COMMA SUTRA: Positioning Yourself for Success with Good Grammar is sure to be a big hit with those interested in perfecting the written word. Readers, writers, editors, teachers, and libraries should definitely have this book in their arsenal. Reviewed by Tee C. Royal of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers