Today I’m sharing my latest review for a wonderful book and handy reference guide I highly recommend for all writers and students – Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty.
I’m sure we’ve all read several books on the subjects of grammar and punctuation, but this book is a true gem because it covers so much and is illustrated in simple and entertaining terms using her animated characters Aardvark and Squiggly for her demonstrations on word and punctuation use. Forgarty also runs a successful and entertaining grammar podcast Grammar Girl Podcast – Quick and Dirty Tips
Get This book on Amazon!
Blurb:
Online sensation Grammar Girl makes grammar fun and easy in this New York Times bestseller
Are you stumped by split infinitives? Terrified of using “who” when a “whom” is called for? Do you avoid the words “affect” and “effect” altogether?
Grammar Girl is here to help!
Mignon Fogarty, a.k.a. Grammar Girl, is determined to wipe out bad grammar—but she’s also determined to make the process as painless as possible. A couple of years ago, she created a weekly podcast to tackle some of the most common mistakes people make while communicating. The podcasts have now been downloaded more than twenty million times, and Mignon has dispensed grammar tips on Oprah and appeared on the pages of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.
Written with the wit, warmth, and accessibility that the podcasts are known for, Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing covers the grammar rules and word-choice guidelines that can confound even the best writers. From “between vs. among” and “although vs. while” to comma splices and misplaced modifiers, Mignon offers memory tricks and clear explanations that will help readers recall and apply those troublesome grammar rules. Chock-full of tips on style, business writing, and effective e-mailing, Grammar Girl’s print debut deserves a spot on every communicator’s desk.
My 5 Star Review
This book is an excellent guide for all writers and students to keep for handy reference. Fogarty makes learning the rules of writing fun and memorable with her succinct illustrations and examples, using her cartoon characters, Squiggly and Aardvark to demonstrate her examples.
If you find yourself getting stumped on issues such as these issues: pronouns, serial commas, em dashes vs.hyphens, and more, look no further than this handy book. Besides covering the many troubling grammar issues that sometimes have us questioning our writing, this book also offers a handy list on tips for proofreading our work and tips to create a style sheet to track words in our writing to note for editors.
Quick and Dirty Tips is one of the most entertaining and comprehensive books I’ve read on the use of grammar and punctuation. A must have book for every writer’s arsenal of writing tools.
DGKayewriter.com 
Terrific as always Debby… I know that affect and effect syndrome… looks like a very useful book to keep close to hand. hugs♥
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Thanks Sal. This book makes grammar fun, lol. ❤
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Good review. I follow her blog and often seek help there. ‘Although’ vs. ‘while’. That one I’ll have to look up.
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Thanks Jacqui 🙂
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Hi Debby! Thanks for reviewing this book! I’ve been thinking about getting it and now that I’ve read your review I’m going to get it for sure. I love ‘Grammar Girl’ and I receive her newsletters. Her book will be a great addition to my arsenal of writing tools. 😀 xx
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Fabulous Vashti. I’m happy to share what I think is a helpful reference book here, and glad to hear you’re already following Grammar Girl. 🙂 ❤
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Nice review Deb…I have taught too many of such tips 🙂 I think grammar is almost the same worldwide.
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True Balroop, but the method of delivery is also important – difference between a good teacher and a great teacher right? 🙂 xx
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Rightly said! have a wonderful week my friend. 🙂
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Wishing you the same my friend. 🙂 xx
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I’m sure the book is great. I use the Grammar Girl website all the time for assistance when I am editing my book projects!
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HI Marie. Thanks for chiming in here, and re-iterating to readers just how helpful that site is. 🙂
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Great review, Deb. I frequently reference her website when writing. I already have a ton of writing reference books, but this sounds like one I need to add to my collection. Can never have too many! 🙂 ♥
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That’s how I feel Tina. And I’m glad I added it too. 🙂 ❤
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You know, I love her website:
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl
But don’t have the book. Should remedy that. It might effect/affect ? my writing. (I know it’s “affect”…just so we’re clear.) 😉
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Lol, yes, it just may Affect your writing!. Love that the author acknowledged my review on Twitter too! 🙂 x
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I don’t think I will ever know all the rules even if I study for a decade. A handy book, Debby. I visit Grammar Girl website quite a bit too!
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So true Diana. English can be an enigma. 🙂 x
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Sounds fantastic! I like the idea of taking grammar and making it fun. There are so many things that I should know, and so many things that I look up more than once, then always forget. A wonderful reference, for sure, thanks for sharing!
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Glad I could introduce you to this book Lana. Yes, Mignon makes grammar fun and memorable. 🙂 xx
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Thanks, Debby for sharing this valuable tool. You’re right. We can’t have enough grammar books with the quick turns grammar rules make now days. May I also recommend April Michelle Davis’ site. She is another great grammar girl.
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Absolutely Ann. Thanks for the recommendation. I will check out April’s site too. 🙂 xx
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I need this book in my life. I also think it sounds like her tips could be made into a great show for kids, like on PBS. Remember the old Zoom shows and School House Rock? I’m thinking something along those lines. Great stuff!
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Great Amy! Glad you are drawn to this book. I do agree that it could definitely be made into one of those shows, although a little more advanced because grammar use isn’t really introduced into a few years into elementary school. But the use of these characters used in the book to relay examples certainly makes the lessons more memorable. 🙂 xx
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Thanks for the review, Debby. I haven’t heard of this grammar girl. I will check out the podcasts for sure then, onto the book! Just in time…hopefully not too late LOL.
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Welcome Lis. And just know, it’s never too late! 🙂 x
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