Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Vickers, Rebecca. Types of Words: Unleashing Powerful Parts of Speech.


Vickers, Rebecca.  Types of Words: Unleashing Powerful Parts of Speech.  Capstone/Heinemann  2014  56p  ISBN 978-1-4239-7657-6  ms  VG-BN  Nonfiction      
Types of Words is a handy, engaging, and gently humorous guide that tackles the important subject of word types. It looks at a variety of topics and shows how understanding types of words allows writers and speakers to improve their communications. It includes useful tips along with amusing examples and images that serve as accessories to the straightforward presentation of grammatical rules and conventions. At times an explanation of a part of speech may seem incorrect or contrary to what an accomplished writer or grammarian knows, but usually such instances are explained and made sensible in the next section, as is the case with adverbs and prepositions, which are not parts of speech one usually thinks of as overlapping or easily confused. There is an error on page thirty where the future perfect continuous tense is listed in place of the future continuous. This is not the sort of book that most young readers will want to read from cover to cover, but it is short enough that it can be done without undue strain. The book would make a fine companion to a more in-depth text on grammar, or a book from which to take short lessons. There is a section in the back that includes lists of prepositions and irregular verbs, as well as advice on using a dictionary and a thorough glossary of the concepts covered in the main body of the text. It is a readable text with the information broken down into bite-sized portions that are easily digestible and pleasantly presented. 

There are four books in the Find Your Way With Words series, each of which offers a straightforward presentation of rules and conventions along with tips, amusing examples, and images.

Summary: Types of Words is a handy, engaging, and gently humorous guide that tackles the important subject of word types. It looks at a variety of topics and shows how understanding types of words allows writers and speakers to improve their communications.  

Grammar                                                                                                        --Bethany Geleskie     

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