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Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Punchier, More Engaging Language & Style by Arthur Plotnik
laurenmitchell's review
1.0
I got this as a Christmas gift and thought the title was witty. Unfortunately, the title was the best part of the book. Originally published in 2005 and reprinted in 2007, I have to wonder whether the author didn't realise that at some point the members of Generation Y, about whom he was not particularly kind, would potentially pick up the book in hope of some new insights.
I was at a loss to find any new insights in this book. It seemed that the book rehashed advice I've read time and again in other style guides and how-to manuals, sometimes to the point where Plotnik directly quoted them (for example, his quotes from Lynne Truss and Stephen King). I may be personally biased here as I find [b:Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation|8600|Eats, Shoots & Leaves The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation|Lynne Truss|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309285488s/8600.jpg|854886] and [b:On Writing|10569|On Writing|Stephen King|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166254200s/10569.jpg|150292] to be two of the most invaluable books in my reference library. In fact, I would suggest that instead of Plotnik's book, which quotes from these and then picks them apart, to just go straight to the source.
The final jarring note was that there were so many spelling errors in the book. 'Black Horse' instead of 'Black House', by Stephen King, or 'Annie E. Proulx' instead of 'E. Annie Proulx' (in fact, this appeared as 'Annie E. Proulx', 'Annie Proulx', and 'E. Annie Proulx' at different points in the text). I realise proofreaders can miss things at times, but Plotnik lists amongst his other works 'The Elements of Editing'. I don't think I'll read it if this finished product is anything to judge its advice by.
I was at a loss to find any new insights in this book. It seemed that the book rehashed advice I've read time and again in other style guides and how-to manuals, sometimes to the point where Plotnik directly quoted them (for example, his quotes from Lynne Truss and Stephen King). I may be personally biased here as I find [b:Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation|8600|Eats, Shoots & Leaves The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation|Lynne Truss|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309285488s/8600.jpg|854886] and [b:On Writing|10569|On Writing|Stephen King|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166254200s/10569.jpg|150292] to be two of the most invaluable books in my reference library. In fact, I would suggest that instead of Plotnik's book, which quotes from these and then picks them apart, to just go straight to the source.
The final jarring note was that there were so many spelling errors in the book. 'Black Horse' instead of 'Black House', by Stephen King, or 'Annie E. Proulx' instead of 'E. Annie Proulx' (in fact, this appeared as 'Annie E. Proulx', 'Annie Proulx', and 'E. Annie Proulx' at different points in the text). I realise proofreaders can miss things at times, but Plotnik lists amongst his other works 'The Elements of Editing'. I don't think I'll read it if this finished product is anything to judge its advice by.
eunrose's review
3.0
Very good in parts, but with a few cringe worthy chapters near the end. It's a good reminder not to abandon the interesting for the sake of some very old rules, but when it gets away from that core message it doesn't have a lot more to say.
hawisher's review
1.0
There are style guides worth reading. This isn't one of them. Try Strunk & White. If you're looking for something more modern, Dreyer's English is good.
readingthroughthelists's review
5.0
A clever, entertaining little book that offers no writing cures, but rather suggestions on how to breathe new vitality into your words. In short, concise chapters, Plotnik addresses common stumbling blocks for writers in the modern era, such as the use of semicolons, the ubiquitousness of dangling modifiers, and whether to set a story in present or past tense. Instead of labeling new writing trends 'good or bad', he simply gives the pros and cons of each style and their uses.
Read this book even if you normally steer clear of writing books for fear they'll make you self-conscious of the way you write. Even if you retain none of his suggestions, you'll have fun reading his thoughts on writing trends, liberally seasoned with wit and humor. After all, "In writing, wrong means only the failure to connect with one's audience."
Read this book even if you normally steer clear of writing books for fear they'll make you self-conscious of the way you write. Even if you retain none of his suggestions, you'll have fun reading his thoughts on writing trends, liberally seasoned with wit and humor. After all, "In writing, wrong means only the failure to connect with one's audience."
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