Image Grammar : Using Grammatical Structures to Teach Writing(Bk & Cdrom)

Superb book. I own quite a large collection of writing books, dissapointments most of them for by and large most books say 'write clearly' or just be yourself and your personal style will develop, even to present the basic five paragraph essay that American high school students are subjected to without explaining it's strengths and weaknesses -- of which there are many including that the five paragraph essay does not lead to in depth considered essays for starts. In fact, the five paragraph model is just another human invention rather than being a form handed down from God and etched in stone. The five paragraph model was invented by a mathematician toward the end of the nineteenth century in belief that its model of prsenting a topic sentence (or a thematic sentence first and then supplying supporting evidence for the topic sentence will make for clean, clear,and decisive proof of one's claim. Nice try, but the five paragraph essay does not work and usually makes dull reading although it may make life easier for professors having to grade a classroomful of essays for a reader can easily find the key arguments to the paper easily and then sample a few paragraphs and be done with the misery of grading.Noden book however presents tools for writing along with an explanation of how the tools create texture. This begins to enable a student to write the words explaining their idea along with an understanding of how one's writing can communicate the idea. A quick example: in the Gettysber address President Lincoln wrote the famous phrase "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth". Lincoln could have made that sentence shorter had he written "government of, by and for the people ...". What Lincoln wrote is more effective. Noden explains why.I also recommend the books by Don and Jennny Killgallon. Noden covers the same material though the Killgallon's prsent the material though at a different pace so as to teach the material. Together these two author's help in one's raising their self to the levl of artistry as a writer with the knowledge and understanding of the what and why of writing. With this understanding a student writer has the tools to be able to create their own style.

This is an excellent book. It will be one of my favorites for writing techniques. The book describes methods for improving your sentences, and then later in the book, for improving your paragraphs and controlling ideas.I wish I had this book earlier. The book seemed to drag a little in the last one-third of the book. But, given the overwhelming amount of useful material presented by the author, I have to rate the book most highly. This book is appropriate for individual writers as well as writing instructors.The author provides an extensive bibliography, which has now set me off on a chase for those books he recommended.John DunbarSugar Land, TX

this book comes with a CD, but mine didn't. I used this book (just the first few chapters) teaching summer school0 and the students loved the different approach to grammar. It's grammar, but i is helpful for their writing. Their essays were much better using the tools from this book. Also, there are many websites available that have ppt and other ideas for teaching from this book. I highly recommend this.

Thanks amazon for all your help. It's great and did meet more than what I expected, especially your customer service agent that helped me.

Missing CD

One of the best breakdowns for teaching high level grammar that I have ever seen.

This book should be in the hands of every high school student and teacher in America. It is really that good!

This is a very well-done book. The ideas in the book flow and fill your head with plenty of ideas. The writing itself is polished and comfortable. A great book for students and teachers. A good read.