Stephen D. Watson

New Angle on Writing Stephen D. Watson

Few language educators have put the English sentence under full scrutiny the way New Angle On Writing does. For almost a century and a half, Writing specialists have been chiseling away at various aspects of the theory and practice of Writing, but they have failed to develop a systematic conception and method for teaching the sentence as the essential, indispensable skill of effective writing. The prevailing pedagogies of Writing do not usefully translate their theories into good student practice in the classroom, and they have manifestly failed to teach the majority of students to write competent, graceful prose even after many years of university instruction. New Angle On Writing imaginatively and skillfully weaves together the best of the threads of thought developed in the past regarding the practice and teaching of Writing. It provides a comprehensive explanation and integration of the 4 prevailing pedagogies of Writing. However, it goes much further by identifying the 127 Essential and Universally Used Sentence Forms, conveniently arranged in 10 main groups plus 1 group of lone rangers, which are all amply explained and exemplified. New Angle On Writing highlights the sentence with its ever-changing fluid forms, new appearances, and rhetorical uses as the master key for effective writing. The book is fresh and forceful in its rhetoric, meticulously thorough in its investigation, and proven in its effectiveness with students. New Angle on Writing maps out the route and roots of Writing in clearly articulated and easily understood language. The book is replete with visually appealing charts, and its unique system of mnemonics allows every student of English to get a handle on Writing with nothing more needed than their own hands.