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The Syntax of Sports #1
The Syntax of Sports, Class 1: The Words Under the Words
The Syntax of Sports is that course you wish you took in college—even if you aren’t a sports fan. It’s interesting. It’s practical. It’s inspiring. And best of all, it teaches you a skill that is at once highly marketable and potentially transforming: how to become a better thinker and writer.
The beginning of a multi-volume series, this initial book recreates the first day of class as it was taught to undergraduates at the University of Michigan. The examples are compelling. The dialogue is fast moving. The stories are ones you’ll want to return to and retell over and over again. There is a reason the actual students who took The Syntax of Sports said the following things about it:
“Every class I learned something new that I know I’ll actually use in my writing for years to come. Couldn’t be happier that I took a chance on Syntax of Sports.”
“Prof. Barry has structured the course so that it’s almost impossible not to learn something valuable to take with you to future classes and future career possibilities.”
“I have learned a ton of techniques for being a better writer in this class. I have also learned many life lessons that will undoubtedly guide how I act in the future.”
“I absolutely loved this course because the teacher was so awesome. I enjoyed sitting through class listening to Professor Barry and falling in love with his brain.”
The beginning of a multi-volume series, this initial book recreates the first day of class as it was taught to undergraduates at the University of Michigan. The examples are compelling. The dialogue is fast moving. The stories are ones you’ll want to return to and retell over and over again. There is a reason the actual students who took The Syntax of Sports said the following things about it:
“Every class I learned something new that I know I’ll actually use in my writing for years to come. Couldn’t be happier that I took a chance on Syntax of Sports.”
“Prof. Barry has structured the course so that it’s almost impossible not to learn something valuable to take with you to future classes and future career possibilities.”
“I have learned a ton of techniques for being a better writer in this class. I have also learned many life lessons that will undoubtedly guide how I act in the future.”
“I absolutely loved this course because the teacher was so awesome. I enjoyed sitting through class listening to Professor Barry and falling in love with his brain.”
- GenresWriting
224 pages, Paperback
Published December 6, 2019
18 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Barry
9 books3 followersClinical Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 15, 2021
I read this book as part of a writing class by Professor Barry this is given online through the University of Michigan and Coursera. I wish that Professor Barry's wisdom and his writing courses were among the course selections when I went to Michigan!
I think this book can improve anyone's writing skills. One does not have to be taking the class concurrently, or at all, to get a lot of knowledge and fun out of this book. In fact, I learned so much more from Barry than just writing skills. I can't wait to read the book for class 2.
If you're serious about writing, this is a great book to read. If you are serious about writing and want to find out interesting facts at the same time, this is a great book to read. If you are serious about writing, love interesting facts and love to have fun all at the same time, read this book!
I think this book can improve anyone's writing skills. One does not have to be taking the class concurrently, or at all, to get a lot of knowledge and fun out of this book. In fact, I learned so much more from Barry than just writing skills. I can't wait to read the book for class 2.
If you're serious about writing, this is a great book to read. If you are serious about writing and want to find out interesting facts at the same time, this is a great book to read. If you are serious about writing, love interesting facts and love to have fun all at the same time, read this book!
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January 28, 2023Summary
This book is based on lecture which Professor Barry gives as the introduction to his class The Syntax of Sports. It uses various episodes of sports, literary allusions and other real world examples to explain the importance of righting (especially syntax and words).
Things I learnt from this book:
. The importance of writing
. The importance of words
. The importance of syntax
. The importance of audience
. How words and syntax can radically alter the meaning of a sentence
. Gaiman Grab/Polysyndeton
. A lot about literature and sports.
Favourite Quotes
. "Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on days you don't feel like doing them." - Julius Erving (Dr. J)
. "The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large" matter-'tis the difference between the lightning bug and lightning." - Mark Twain
This book is based on lecture which Professor Barry gives as the introduction to his class The Syntax of Sports. It uses various episodes of sports, literary allusions and other real world examples to explain the importance of righting (especially syntax and words).
Things I learnt from this book:
. The importance of writing
. The importance of words
. The importance of syntax
. The importance of audience
. How words and syntax can radically alter the meaning of a sentence
. Gaiman Grab/Polysyndeton
. A lot about literature and sports.
Favourite Quotes
. "Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on days you don't feel like doing them." - Julius Erving (Dr. J)
. "The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large" matter-'tis the difference between the lightning bug and lightning." - Mark Twain
August 3, 2021
Probably the most relaxing textbook I've read. You'll get sports information mixed in with language, usages, literature, and some self-help messages too. The professor is always right, which is why it was with an evil sense of schadenfreude that I found this in Chapter 52:
"Word's aren't bad, necessarily." What's with the apostrophe?
"Word's aren't bad, necessarily." What's with the apostrophe?
December 15, 2022
I read this for a course on Coursera - did not read the entire book, just the snippets requested. This is a good, current book on writing. Offers a lot of resources, examples and practices for students (especially of law) who want to get better at their writing. What I really liked about it is that it doesn't only offer tips on writing, it offers a lot of other information, in a very easy to read style.
February 21, 2021
It was a great read, full of interesting facts even if you’re not into sports. I totally recommend it if you want to look at your writing in a different way. Makes you itchy to being editing your sentences to make them better!
December 2, 2020
I took Patrick Barry's course: Good with Words online. This book with the course was helpful!
February 2, 2023
I'm not sure this book would make sense on its own but I read it as part of an online writing course on Coursera, and it was a light and entertaining way of presenting some important concepts addressed in the course. It is in conversation form between lecturer and students.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews