BOOK CORNER
By Marissa Wells
Contributing Writer
“Look Better in Writing: A Quick & Easy Guide to Punctuation” by Los Angeles native Nailah Harvey, is an interactive book that offers readers a grammar refresher.
“Look Better in Writing” provides readers with the 14 most commonly used punctuation marks. Some of the grammar fundamentals highlighted include periods, question marks, commas, exclamation points, parentheses and more.
The concept for the book was inspired by Harvey’s experience teaching grammar lessons to her Korean students overseas.
“Their thirst for the English language made me realize how much of a commodity this language is,” Harvey said. “Since 2012, I’ve been determined to bring the same fervor from my teaching days in South Korea back to my community in South L.A., so, I merged my love for teaching and writing and penned an educational book to reach students from across the globe.”
Writing in the book is encouraged and after each chapter, Harvey includes 10 questions and an answer key so readers may apply what they have learned.
“Look Better in Writing” can be enjoyed by students, entrepreneurs and more.
“I hope readers will strengthen their writing skills and gain a fresh perspective on the importance of written communication as it pertains to punctuation,” said the author.
Harvey considers the chapters regarding commas, semicolons, and colons to be some of the most impactful.
“If you’re anything like me, I was learning as I was writing,” Harvey said. “I don’t know everything, but I realized that I was using commas incorrectly sometimes.
“The section about commas and when to use them and how to diversify your writing by not only just using commas but semicolons and colons, those can also be considered commonly used punctuation marks that we can use in our everyday writing to kind of give it a little pizzazz.”
In addition to being an author and educator, Harvey works with the university she attended, UC Riverside, as a co-chair of the alumni association’s scholarship committee. She also has a blog and podcast.
For more information about the author and her work, visit lookbetterinwriting.com.
“Look Better in Writing: A Quick & Easy Guide to Punctuation” is available for $20.00 via lookbetterinwriting.com/books and Amazon.
