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 areas in such entertaining sections as "Assume the position," "Add spice, and "Use fourplay." 40,000 first printing.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2005

Reviews

[Christian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love a good grammar book. I'm somewhat a freak of nature in that regard. But I just can't help it. There's something passionate and inspiring about comma placement discussions. So, naturally, when I saw that this book was one of my selections for the Quality Paperback Book club, I had to actually buy it. I mean, with a title like this, how could you lose? I think punctuation's sexy, so it's about time we started converting the rest of the world.

Unfortunately, the book just doesn't do it. Instead of keeping me up at night, wrapped in its loving arms, I had a tendency to nod off directly to sleep. It was rather disappointing. There are moments that are humorous and thematically appropriate (for example, chapter ten is "Four Play: Four Common Grammar Headaches"). The examples are often taken from jokes, usually involving sexual innuendo. Some of the anecdotes are worth jotting down and keeping. But in the end, the author's voice and style aren't strong enough to carry away the title. So the book becomes boring.

Of course, I also disagree with Rozakis, who doesn't even get all her grammar rules right. You would think this would be something her editor would catch. Go figure.

In the end, I say not to bother with this book. If you want an entertaining read about grammar, pick up Lynne Truss's Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation instead.

[Yina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s very easy and funny grammar book.

[Simulacrum · Rating 2 out of 5]

An average book. Rozakis should have taken more trouble to
present a better account because of competition in this area.
How one can write this in a grammar book: The first 'word' in a
sentence should be in capital letters. Rozakis does!
A number of interesting books with novel approaches are
available in the market. Hence, this doesn't seem to be a
book one would recommend. If you are just beginning to read
grammar books, this is a good initiation, though.

[Gospodyina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Content-wise, this is full of excellent discussions and exercises on English usage, which I think would be absolutely ideal for an advanced person learning English as a second or later language. But it's also got dumb sex puns, as evidenced by its title, which someone learning English probably wouldn't get. I feel like they had the title and just had to do something with it.

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was all excited about picking up a grammar book. I mean, hey, who doesn't like grammar? I was disappointed to find this book very basic. It might have been well written, but I can't really say--I mostly skimmed it.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to help make one grammar proficient. Strunk & White is quite stiff when compared with this funny approach to good grammar. The author uses modern day lingo and situations to help you comprehend the irritating nuances of the English language.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

another good book on grammar for the aspiring author

[Ms. Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny! Great examples and not as stuffy as Eats, Shoots and Leaves

[Sonya]

The title of THIS book appealed to both the pundit and the word-nerd in me. Another rec from Andree. :)

[Niño Manaog Saavedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of a kind.

[Mysteryfan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light-hearted look at punctuation, grammmar and plain writing. Discussess all those hard things like case, tense, etc. It even has little quizzes.

[Amy Obenhaus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who knew commas were so KINKY ;)