
First You Write a Sentence.
The Elements of Reading, Writing ... and Life.
Joe Moran(Author)
Penguin Books Ltd (Publisher)
Published on 14. November 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-0-241-97851-1 (ISBN)
Description
A STYLE GUIDE BY STEALTH - HOW ANYONE CAN WRITE WELL (AND FULLY ENJOY GOOD WRITING)
'Joe Moran is a wonderfully sharp writer, calm, precise and quietly comical' Craig Brown
Advanced maths has no practical use, and is understood by few. A symphony can be enjoyed, but created only by a genius. Good writing, however, can be written (and read) by anyone if we give it the gift of our time.
Enter universally praised historian Professor Joe Moran. From the Bible and Shakespeare to Orwell and Diana Athill, First You Write a Sentence.show us how the most ordinary words can be turned into verbal constellations, sharing:
- The tools of the trade; from typewriters to texting and the impact this has on the craft
- Writing and the senses; how to make the world visible and touchable
- How to find the ideal word, build a sentence, and construct a paragraph
Good writing can ignite the hearts and minds of readers, help us notice the world better and live more meaningful lives. And it's a power we all can wield.
'What a lovely thing this is: a book that delights in the sheer textural joy of good sentences . . . Any writer should read it' Bee Wilson
'Thoughtful, engaging, and lively . . . when you've read it, you realise you've changed your attitude to writing (and reading)' John Simpson, formerly Chief Editor of the OED and author of The Word Detective
'Moran is a past master at producing fine, accessible non-fiction' Helen Davies, Sunday Times
'Joe Moran is a wonderfully sharp writer, calm, precise and quietly comical' Craig Brown
Advanced maths has no practical use, and is understood by few. A symphony can be enjoyed, but created only by a genius. Good writing, however, can be written (and read) by anyone if we give it the gift of our time.
Enter universally praised historian Professor Joe Moran. From the Bible and Shakespeare to Orwell and Diana Athill, First You Write a Sentence.show us how the most ordinary words can be turned into verbal constellations, sharing:
- The tools of the trade; from typewriters to texting and the impact this has on the craft
- Writing and the senses; how to make the world visible and touchable
- How to find the ideal word, build a sentence, and construct a paragraph
Good writing can ignite the hearts and minds of readers, help us notice the world better and live more meaningful lives. And it's a power we all can wield.
'What a lovely thing this is: a book that delights in the sheer textural joy of good sentences . . . Any writer should read it' Bee Wilson
'Thoughtful, engaging, and lively . . . when you've read it, you realise you've changed your attitude to writing (and reading)' John Simpson, formerly Chief Editor of the OED and author of The Word Detective
'Moran is a past master at producing fine, accessible non-fiction' Helen Davies, Sunday Times
Reviews / Votes
Joe Moran has a genius for turning the prosaic poetic -- Peter Hennessy Thoughtful reflections on how to write well -- John Mullan * Guardian Review * Joe Moran is the most perceptive and original observer of British life that we have -- Matthew Engel Moran has fast become Britain's foremost explorer and explainer of the disregarded -- Juliet Gardiner, author of 'Wartime: Britain 1939-1945' Moran is a wonderful, witty writer, and here he surpasses himself -- Marcus Berkmann (on Shrinking Violets) * Daily Mail * Compelling . . . There's plenty in Moran's book to delight grammar and language nerds -- Daniel Hahn * The Spectator * Humane and witty . . . as a primer in generous and lively writing, First You Write a Sentence is blithe and convincing * New York Times * Exquisite...Moran's own sentences are so deliciously epigrammatic that I considered giving up chocolate in favour of re-reading his book...He is more mentor than instructor -- Irina Dumitrescu * TLS *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 194 mm
Width: 130 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
170 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-241-97851-1 (9780241978511)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2018
1st Edition
Penguin Books Ltd
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Joe Moran is Professor of English and Cultural History at Liverpool John Moores University and is the author of seven books, including Shrinking Violets: The Secret Life of Shyness, First You Write a Sentence and If You Should Fail. He writes for, among others, the Guardian, the New Statesman and the Times Literary Supplement.