Last week I suggested A Writer’s Reference as an important resource to have as it contains just about every grammar, vocabulary & formatting issue likely to be run into by a writer (from student to professional), but this week I offer up a text that is geared entirely to the well-seasoned grammarian.
There is humor, sarcasm and clear cut demonstration of the rules of punctuation and sentence structure. But you won’t laugh if you are a beginner because all Lynne Truss’s references require that you at least appreciate that there are rules and know quite a number of them. If you don’t know most of them, you won’t appreciate the humor in her refining your understanding. The title is a perfect example, though one of the simplest she provides: Eats, Shoots & Leaves or if you prefer Eats Shoots & Leaves. There is a distinct difference. First off, imagine a panda bear. He eats, shoots and leaves (which requires he has a license to bear arms or at least can hold a gun) or he eats shoots and leaves (which only requires he stick to his diet). The title alone makes me giggle, but if you don’t get it yet, don’t purchase this book until you feel good about your use of grammar and punctuation. If you are intrigued already, this is definitely the text for you.
It is important to note that Truss is English, but she kindly shows where the British vary from the Americans in grammar. So do not fear you will refine your understanding only to find you will only be accepted by the British as knowing what you are doing all the time.