Customer Reviews

The Pen Commandments: A Guide for the Beginning Writer

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The Pen Commandments is far and away the best guide for the beginning writer I've ever read. I have guest-taught writing classes in high schools all over the country, and found time and again that the most difficult task is convincing kids that writing can be a pleasure rather than a chore. From the first word to the last, The Pen Commandments accomplishes this task with great wit and finesse. Steven Frank's writing exercises are original and irresistible, his explanations of the trickier points of grammar particularly clear and concise. Teachers should throw away their dull-witted and mind-numbing text books and enliven their classes with The Pen Commandments - soon, they will be producing students who not only can write, but like to write.

In addition to books about writing term papers and how to properly study, in THE PEN COMMANDMENTS, Steven Frank has written a guide for the novice prose writer. Other authors and experts have covered this topic, but Frank's book is one of the most accessible I have read. Full of common sense suggestions, easy-to-understand explanations, and a cogently organized process, the book is one to which every new writer should turn.

Drawing on his experience as a high school English teacher, the author walks the aspiring reader through all parts of the writing process. He's structured the book in the form of 10 Commandments (i.e. Thou shalt not Kill Thy Sentences; Thou Shalt Describe Thy World, Express Thy Opinions, and Preserve Thy Past; Thou Shalt Overcome Writer's Block; Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Writer's Prose). Humorously and in an engaging-sometimes laugh-out-loud-style, the author demystifies the writing process and makes it seem fun. Particularly useful are his suggestions for recommended reading and an appendix of the top ten grammar mistakes to avoid. The book is durably composed with no messy slip cover, and it's the perfect size for any novice to carry in a book-bag or purse.

Any new writer serious about exploring the world of writing should get thee to thy nearest book outlet, purchase this book, and read it from cover to cover. The few hours spent will be immensely worthwhile. Highly recommended. ~Lori L. Lake, author and freelance reviewer for Midwest Book Review, Golden Crown Literary Society's "The Crown," The Independent Gay Writer, and Just About Write.com.

This was a wonderful addition to my library. My kids absolutely loved this book! A guide like this is sorely needed in teaching older children the finer points of writing and storytelling. There are dozens of terrific anecdotes that illustrate Mr. Frank's "commandments." I wish there had been a book as funny and entertaining as this one when I was in school. Great for grown ups, too, and you'll get a kick out of the cover art.

A charming, funny, and thoroughly entertaining book on the craft of writing which is appropriate for students at the middle school level and above. Even grown-ups will find the book most enjoyable. Mr. Frank has many illustrative stories and annecdotes which make the book so worthwhile. A great tool in or out of the classroom.

A delightful book on writing which substantially raises the bar for all works in this field. It teaches, motivates, elevates, and entertains students. When I look at the sorry state of "approved" books in this subject and compare it to Mr. Frank's masterpiece, I feel we teachers need to cast our votes strongly in Mr. Frank's camp. Students cannot help but be inspired to write--and write well--with a text like this.

Frank does a great job with this book because he's unpretentious, he loves writing, and he loves teaching how to write. His words come through plain and clear without any snobbery. Frank reintroduces the reader to the basics of good writing - which is all a good writer needs - and lets the developing writer take it from there. Any discouraged middle school student could write like a pro if he looked into this and applied its writing rules.

Commandments is a gem and a gem that needs to be admired more.

Sorry, folks. I guess if I had never read a book about writing I might be impressed with this book, but I have and, consequently, I am not.

You want to real a good book on writing try Trimble's Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing (2nd Edition) or one of Goldberg's books or something by Allyn and Bacon.

While Frank does love the children and does dislike other English classes and English textbooks, he really says nothing new about writing, and quite frankly, he says what the others have already said. And to be honest, he says it with less "showing" than "telling" (see his first chapter). I am also not impressed by a teacher who lets his students determine their assignments. Could I, if I were in Frank's class, decide to do a algebraic equation rather than write an analysis if it inspired me? Could I teach math if I worked at Frank's school because it inspired me even if I was hired to teach English?

I for one think that skills need to be mastered and then deviation can occur. Writing a clear, thoughtful, intelligent argument is an essential skill, and English class is where we get the skills to do just that (history class, as well).

So, Mr. Steven Frank, as one of those "tyrannical teachers who could spank [a student] if they forgot a topic sentence" (xiii), I'll keep working hard to teach students _how_ to write and you can keep letting them do as they please and loving them.

Don


PLEASE GET THIS BOOK INSTEAD:

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Style-Conversations-Art-2nd/dp/0130257133/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281826173&sr=8-3

Okay, you may not belive me , but Mr. frank was my sixth grade teacher. This was his first book and it took him ten yars to complete, it payed off well. This book is great for school students and even if your not one, you should still by this book NOW! If you read this review , Mr. STEVEN Frank it's comming from the kid Director in 7th grade.

Hey everyone! Mr. Frank was my teacher last year and was a...GOOD teacher. And I haven't read the book yet but Mr. Frank is a great writer and all my friends read it and tell me it's great and very entertaining and educational!!! Mr. Frank is a great guy who's very nice and very talented and his book is great so I just sugest you buy it...IT'S MY RECOMENDATION! :D