When Good People Write Bad Sentences: 12 Steps to Better Writing Habits

by Robert W. Harris

At last, help for writers who can admit they have a problem.

Do you get a lift by dangling a participle? Has your punctuation ever caused difficulties at home or at work? Do you consider yourself just a "social misspeller?"

These are just a few of the warning signs that you might have an addiction to bad writing. But fear not. This practical guide to eliminating bad writing habits will put you on the path to recovery. Filled with...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312328044
• ISBN13: 9780312328047
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

let's reconsider

I read through the other reviews and I understand where they're coming from. Yes, the book is written like an alcoholic's 12 step program BUT Harris is kind of right. At first, I was almost confused as to whether it was a joke or not, but as I read further, I realized that the bad habits that writers have are actually base upon insecurities. Harris tells the reader to suck it up - quit caring so much about what other people might think of your writing - and write good srong sentences. Once you actually get to the 12 steps, I think there is some really useful information in there. I was not overpowered by techinical issues. Harris clearly and simply states what to look out for in your own writing. He actually lists them - which makes this a good reference manual to put on my desk. So the book is based on a joke (if that's what you want to call it). I found it funny. Even funnier, I saw myself in what he was saying.

Entertaining and Informational

I LOVED this book!!!! I teach a Business Writing course and am always looking fresh approaches to the topic. I loved Robert Harris's book and ended up using (and duely referencing) several pieces from his 12-step program. I highly recommend this book!

Humorous read...

This book was pretty humorous. I picked it up after I thought it would be kind of like Eats, Shoots and Leaves. It deals more with sentence structure, though (although some parts of it does deal with grammar). Harris writes about our "inner child writer" and how it still has a lot of repressed feelings, which is why we lash out and write bad sentences. I didn't really consider myself a malescribe, but I can certainly understand the frustration and disappointment when you encounter one. Although this book was informative and humorous, my only complaint was that it went a little too far. At times, parts of it seemed far-fetched and there was a bit too much exaggeration. I know this was supposed to be a humorous approch - but maybe less is more. For example, Harris states that malescribism can lead to depression, and even death. Well, I'd say very rarely. Despite my one dislike about it, When Good People Write Bad Sentences is a humorous and informative read. Especially when you have malescribism. (Oops, was that supposed to be a sentence fragment?) :)