Rhetorical Grammar: Grammatical Choices, Rhetorical Effects (3rd Edition) [Paperback]

Martha Kolln (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 22, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0205283055 | ISBN-13: 978-0205283057 | Edition: 3

Rhetorical Grammar is a writer's grammar - a text that presents grammar as a rhetorical tool, avoiding the do's and don'ts so long associated with the study of grammar. It reveals to student writers the system of grammar that they know subconsciously and encourages them to use that knowledge to understand their choices as writers and the effects of those choices on their readers. Besides providing key strategies for revision, Rhetorical Grammar presents systematic discussions of reader expectation, sentence rhythm and cohesion, subordination and coordination, punctuation, modifiers, diction, and other principles. Studying grammar from this rhetorical point of view defines the study of language as an intellectual exercise designed to open up students' minds to the versatility, beauty, and possibilities of language.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Most writers, even very good ones, would probably admit to a lack of knowledge of and confidence regarding grammar. Many can write good sentences; but shouldn't they be able to discuss them, thinking about alternatives? And many can punctuate their sentences; but shouldn't they, too, be able to explain why? The place in the writing process where a knowledge of grammar often makes the biggest difference is in the revision process. This book therefore provides its readers with the tools to have more confidence in their writing, to have the ability to talk about why they made the writing choices they did, and to see the versatility, beauty and vast possibilities of language. Presenting grammar as a rhetorical tool, this book avoids the "do's and don'ts" so long associated with grammar. It reveals to readers the system of grammar they already know subconsciously, encouraging them to use that knowledge to understand their choices as writers. In addition to providing key strategies for revision, the book presents systematic discussions of audience expectation, sentence rhythm and cohesion, subordination and coordination, punctuation, modifiers, diction, and other principles. Writers, teachers, and anyone who writes in general.

Product Details

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 3 edition (July 22, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205283055
• ISBN-13: 978-0205283057
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #704,481 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent guide for using grammar to improve writing, July 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rhetorical Grammar: Grammatical Choices, Rhetorical Effects (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

Martha Kolln has created a practical text for writers and, especially, teachers of writing. Rhetorical Grammar proves that the present day "wisdom" that the teaching of grammar might be detrimental to writing is not so wise after all. Focusing only on those issues that relate grammatical choices directly to the writer's purpose and audience, or on the long-range development of the writer's ideas, Professor Kolln shows us how to make our texts clear, direct, and reader friendly. She also avoids the pitfalls of traditional grammar teaching, concentrating instead on those questions that focus only on the needs of real writers in real writing situations. Among the issues covered are sentence rhythm (for example, how the placement of an adverbial in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence affects the reader), how to choose between coordination or subordination, and the differences between form and structure classes of words (far more practical than merely discussing "parts of speech").

After each major section of the book, Professor Kolln includes, rather than the usual fill-in-the-blanks exercises, a combination of writing exercises and "Group Discussion" problems, employing real texts or real-life writing situations.

Teachers of writing will find much to be thankful for in this little book, from clear explanations of composition choices to dozens of useful classroom activities. This is a must have text for any English teacher, from elementary school through graduate school.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine book on writing persuasively, November 1, 2001

By 

Charles Darnall (Camarillo, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rhetorical Grammar: Grammatical Choices, Rhetorical Effects (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

As a lawyer, I spend considerable time revising my own writing. Professor Kolln's lessons on grammar helped me learn how to write more efficiently and with more confidence. Like most people, I often relied on the "... just sounds better that way ..." technique of editing my sentences. Kolln explained how to focus the reader's attention by making deliberate choices of grammar. I was surprised to learn how easy it is to control sentence rhythm, emphasizing the most important word in each phrase. She also explained how sentences can be organized to stick together (cohesiveness), so the reader doesn't get lost or frustrated. Slightly over 250 pages, Kolln's book is short enough to be reviewed again and again. Her system of "rhetorical reminders" is a set of tools that should be valuable to any writer, at any level of proficiency.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WAH, fantastic., November 15, 2001

By 

Kharmic Tide Pool (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhetorical Grammar: Grammatical Choices, Rhetorical Effects (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

Rhetorical Grammar, by Martha Kolln, is a great way to get a grasp on the grammatical intricasies of the English language. But, in order to enjoy it and get something out of it, you have to be willing to do the exercises, at least the even ones, and work with the book. If you don't give the book a chance you won't like it.
Kolln lays out a very effective method of teaching grammar. Her method is so effective, in fact, that top linguistics and English graduate/undergraduate programs, nationwide, use this book. What Kolln does is explain grammar in a way which doesn't involve sentence diagramming, the most difficult part of many grammar classes. She explains how grammar controls the language.
Kolln has a way of explaining grammar that will help anyone struggling in the subject to become a better writer. The best thing about this book is that it's written in a way that writers, college students, graduate students and even high school students can understand and learn from. This is one book I'll never regret having bought.