The Lively Art of Writing by Lucille Vaughn Payne
Review by Derek Kolb - PC11
If there were one book that every writing teacher (and student) should read, it is The Lively Art of Writing. At less than 200 pages, nothing is wasted, and it's easily manageable for quick reading before a semester and even by some higher level students as a textbook. Vaughn Payne walks readers through the basic steps of rhetoric, from forming an opinion to putting the finishing touches on transition sentences, all the while using a very dry-wit, matter of fact tone that makes its more enjoyable than mosttextbooks.
You can use the book a semester or year long course plan by having your students write papers, or use only parts of it for specific lessons. Vaughn Payne is particularly good and explaining those things that make English writing just "sound right" that many native speakers might not be able to pinpoint.
This book is much more affordable, accessible, and practical than any other I have come across.
