Book review

"From paragraph to essay" is a book written by Maurice Imhoof and Hernan Hudson that was published in 1930 with the purpose of helping advanced students developing composition writing.

A variety of paragraph styles are presented and analysed in the form of model passages, with accompanying written exercises, such as paragraph development by listing, by examples, by comparison, by contrast, by definition and by classification. At regular stages the techniques and paragraph styles are developed into essay form; essay development by examples and by comparison and contrast, in particular. The final chapter combines all the techniques and styles introduced throughout the book.

The book is intended to advanced students who need training to writing clear and well organised essays in English. In my opinion, the authors are communicating effectively to that audience since they have included appropriate academic terminology and a wide variety of examples. However, I think the authors should have included more definitions and characteristics of each type of paragraph and essay classification.

Moreover, it takes students from paragraph structuring to essay writing through a process approach, and teaches learners how to order and link paragraphs into cohesive and coherent essays and to create the various paragraph types that are used in written assignments. The authors impart the essentials of grammar and mechanics by providing the kind of peer encouragement and supportive learning environment that will help students take the risks necessary to become better writers. Yet, this book lacks of the provision of the correction of the exercises, which have to be corrected by the teacher. This problem interferes with the self-correction of students.

The authors have presented a clear thesis and have fulfilled their purpose due to the fact that a lot of different techniques are presented and explained for students to choose the most convenient one. There is a wide variety of styles which give students the possibility to feel free and employ the style that is most appropriate for the circumstance. Their argument has persuaded me and helped me to write essays in a more clear and organised way.

From paragraph to essay will be particularly valuable to those students at, or intending to enter, universities where English is the language of instruction. I strongly recommend the book since it helps develop students' confidence and skills as writers by presenting concepts in a simple, clear fashion way, and reinforcing them with numerous student peer examples and frequent practice exercises that give students the opportunity to apply what they have learned.