Painless Writing (Barron's Painless Series) (Paperback)

by Jeffrey Strausser (Author) "Overusing prepositions and their accompanying phrases not only creates boring writing, but writing that is usually hard to understand..." (more)
Key Phrases: preposition overuse, passive voice because the writer, choppy writing, Painless Technique, United States, Joe Freeman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Titles in Barron's Painless Series are textbook supplements designed especially for classroom use by middle school and high school students. The approach of each title is an appeal to students who think that the subject is boring, or too difficult, or both. The authors, all experienced educators, take a light approach, showing kids what is most interesting about each subject, and how seemingly difficult problems can be transformed into fun quizzes, brain-ticklers, and challenging puzzles with rational solutions. Here is practical advice that transforms essay writing into a satisfying experience for middle school and senior high school students. The author offers tips on enlivening writing with vivid images, smoothing out sentences, silencing the dull passive voice, and adding rhythm to writing. He also shows how to create a template that students can use when writing research papers for all subjects. In addition, students will find web site references cited throughout the text, which they can access. Brain ticklers (short quizzes) appear throughout the book with an answer key at the back.

From the Inside Flap
(back cover)
Really. This isn’t going to hurt at all . . .



If you hate having to sit down and write that class assignment, you’ll change your mind when you open this entertaining and instructive book. It’s filled with ideas on how you can express your thoughts clearly, enliven your writing with vivid images, and avoid the dull passive voice. Soon, you’ll be constructing smooth sentences that flow together into lively themes which are fun to write and entertaining for others to read. As you progress through this book, you’ll also enjoy answering the “Brain Tickler” quizzes that will keep you amused while they help you improve your writing style.

For Middle School and
High School Students

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764118102
• ISBN-13: 978-0764118104
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,673 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #4 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Education > By Level > Middle School
  #13 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Education > By Level > College
  #20 in	Books > Reference > Study Guides

• This item is part of The Painless Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Give "Painless Writing" an A+, November 26, 2001

By	Sissalou "sissalou" (SAINT CLAIR, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Give an A+ and 5 stars to Jeffrey Strausser's "Painless Writing." Although the "Painless" series books are geared toward middle school students, I highly recommend this book to any one of any age.

On my high school graduation day over twenty years ago, I stepped off the platform with a diploma in my hand and a gold cord of excellence around my neck for winning the English award. I sailed with ease through my college composition courses and I annually compose about a thousand messages and memos to perform my job. Therefore, I thought there was nothing that I could learn about writing from a simple, entertaining book like "Painless Writing." I was wrong.

I was excited to discover that some of the topics and techniques covered in "Painless Writing" were new to me. For instance, I had never encountered the term "nominalizations" before. If that term is new to you, too, don't worry; you'll find out how to use them properly. Also, I was surprised to learn that the term "expletive construction" did not pertain to words best left out of fine, cultured writing, but rather, it refers to sentences beginning with the words "there are," "it is," etc.

"Painless Writing" simply explains each new topic and then provides exercises with answers to allow you to practice the new skills and techniques being covered. These exercises are not dull and boring like those we suffered with in our grammar books once-upon-a-time ago; they are entertaining and delightful.

Sample examples show both "poor" and "better" writing. I thought this method of teaching was extremely helpful.

The test answers are written out completely and then explained by the author. So, if you choose a wrong answer, you can see why the other answer was correct. This extra effort on the author's part is invaluable.

Another feature that I liked was the page numbering. "Say, what?" you say. Yes, I loved the page numbering. Each page number is written large enough for even forty-year old eyes to read and highlighted in a pink circle making it easy to see (this is great for flipping to the answer section).

I have already begun to incorporate some techniques that I learned from this book into both my private and professional writing.

Good job, Jeffrey Strausser.

The contents cover the following topics: Preposition clutter, enlivening writing, silencing the passive voice, reducing nominalizations/activating your writing, smoothing out your writing, using commas (not a boring chapter! you'll like it), adding rhythm to your writing, ten common writing errors (several of which I needed review), and for those still in school-a real bonus-a template for writing a term paper.
End of comments.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book helped me passed the THEA exam!, November 21, 2004

By	Jose M. Paniza (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Painless Writing helped me prepare for the Writing Section of the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) exam. The THEA tests your impromptu writing skills. Painless Writing explains nine techniques that improve your writing. I used these techniques and easily passed the test.

What I like most about this book are the numerous examples and tips given for each technique presented. If you are preparing for the THEA exam or writing a high school essay, Painless Writing is an excellent reference book to have!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This wonderful book helped me to get into college!, November 26, 2001

By	Megan Archer "athena5821" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This fabulous book gave me tons of great tips on how to write an excellent essay. I bought this book to help fine tune my college essay and was amazed at the results. My dull, explanatory essay was transformed into an exciting masterpiece that helped me get into an Ivy League school. With helpful examples and complete web addresses, "Writing Painlessly" enabled me to write a concise, grammatically correct, and connected piece. The web sites were informative and added complementary knowledge to what this book provided for me. After I showed this book to my enlgish teacher, she loved it so much that she is considering using it as a supplement for our class. If you have ever dreaded writing a school paper before, this book is for you. With fun exercises and great illustrations, this book is informative and educational. I strongly recommend that you buy this book to help with your papers, essays, and even poetry. Covering the basics, yet expanding to encompass the fine arts of more advanced language, "Writing Painlessly" can be used at almost all english levels.