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The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers

by: Hairston, Maxine; Ruszkiewicz, John J.; Friend, Christy

The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers

by: Hairston, Maxine; Ruszkiewicz, John J.; Friend, Christy

ISBN 13:
9780321002488
ISBN 10:
0321002482
Edition: 5th
Format: Hardcover
Copyright: 08/01/1998
Publisher: Pearson College Div
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Summary

A reference book for writers who need advice about composing papers & reports, both in & out of college, & who occasionally need guidance about points of grammer or usage presented in a friendly manner designed with a problem solving approach. DLC: English language - Rhetoric.

Preface

xix

To the Writer

xxx

PART I The Writing Process

(92)

What Does Writing Involve?

(18)

Why writing matters

(1)

What myths discourage writers?

(2)

How does writing work?

(3)

Writing as a process

(1)

The writing process is flexible

(1)

Managing the writing process

(2)

How do you define a writing situation?

(2)

How do you write for an audience?

(3)

How do you define your purpose (s) in writing?

(2)

Decide on your goals

(1)

Consider your writing situation

(2)

How do you present yourself to readers?

(5)

Be credible

(1)

Present material fairly and honestly

(1)

Be generous to those who disagree with you

(2)

A Paper Proposal

(2)

How Do You Prepare and Plan to Write?

(34)

How do you find a topic?

(3)

Brainstorm

(1)

Assess your strengths

(1)

Consider current issues

(1)

Browse in the library

(1)

Browse online

(1)

How do you refine your topic?

(5)

Don't try to cover everything

(1)

Highlight a single area

(1)

Make a tree diagram

(1)

Make an idea map

(2)

How do you construct a thesis?

(5)

Make a strong point

(1)

Make a worthwhile point

(1)

Preview the direction of your paper

(1)

Place your thesis effectively

(2)

Opening Paragraph with Thesis

(1)

How do you explore and develop a thesis?

(4)

Freewrite

(1)

Use the journalist's questions

(1)

Try different perspectives

(2)

Write a zero draft

(1)

Read up on your topic

(1)

Talk to others

(1)

Enter online discussions

(1)

How do you organize a writing project?

(9)

Introduction/body/conclusion

(2)

Narrative or process design

(1)

Comparison/contrast

(3)

Division or classification

(1)

Cause and effect

(1)

Problem and solution

(1)

How do you outline a paper?

(6)

How do you choose a title?

(2)

How Do You Write a Draft?

(12)

How do you start a piece of writing?

(3)

Find a writing place

(1)

Keep the ideas coming

(1)

Avoid premature criticism

(1)

Set your own pace

(1)

Get feedback

(1)

Draft on a computer

(1)

How do you keep a draft on track?

(3)

Highlight key ideas

(2)

Maintain proportion

(1)

Leave time for conclusions

(1)

When should you take a break?

(2)

How do you know when you have a solid draft?

(1)

How do you work on a draft collaboratively?

(3)

Decide on shared goals

(1)

Assign sections of the project

(1)

Try collaborative writing

(1)

Address disagreements promptly

(2)

How Do You Revise, Edit, and Proofread?

(27)

What does revising involve?

(7)

A Revised Opening Paragraph

(2)

What does editing involve?

(5)

Edited Sentences from Student Papers

(2)

What does proofreading involve?

(2)

How do you help another writer revise, edit, and proofread?

(12)

Draft With Peer Comments

(9)

PART II Writing for Public Forums

(70)

How Do You Write Responsibly in College and Beyond?

(13)

What do instructors expect to see in academic papers?

(7)

Review the assignment

(1)

Define your territory

(1)

Support your claims

(1)

Understand evidence

(1)

A Working Bibliography

(2)

Document sources

(1)

Prepare professional-looking work

100

(1)

How do you adapt your writing to settings outside the classroom?

101

(6)

Understand out-of-class writing

101

(1)

Meet readers' expectations

102

(1)

Writing an Argument for Publication

103

(1)

Look at models

104

(1)

Understand public writing

104

(1)

Ask for help

105

(1)

Be professional

105

(2)

How Do You Read and Think Critically?

107

(13)

How do you read to understand complex material?

107

(6)

Preview the text

108

(1)

Look up unfamiliar terms

109

(1)

Slow down

109

(1)

Annotate

109

(2)

Write a summary/synthesize

111

(2)

How do you think critically about your reading?

113

(7)

Cultivate an attitude of inquiry

113

(1)

Read as a believer and doubter

114

(1)

Assess the writer's qualifications

115

(1)

Look carefully at the evidence

115

(1)

Look closely at the writer's claims

116

(1)

Look for unstated assumptions

116

(1)

Note contradictions

117

(1)

Check for bias

117

(1)

Resist black-and-white thinking

118

(2)

How Do You Interpret and Use Visual Texts?

120

(10)

How do you understand visual representations of information?

120

(6)

Using pie charts

120

(2)

Using bar graphs

122

(1)

Using line graphs

122

(2)

Using tables

124

(1)

Judging the accuracy of visuals

124

(2)

How do you interpret other visual elements in a text?

126

(4)

Assess layout and design

126

(1)

Evaluate pictures and graphics

127

(1)

Develop visual literacy skills

127

(1)

An Ad Analysis

128

(2)

How Can You Write Powerful Arguments?

130

(23)

What does argument involve?

130

(5)

Distinguish between arguments and disagreements

130

(1)

Look for claims supported by reasons and evidence

131

(1)

Consider unstated beliefs, or warrants

132

(2)

Recognize qualifiers

134

(1)

How do you construct a solid written argument?

135

(3)

Clarify your claim

136

(1)

Gather reasons and evidence

136

(1)

Evaluate your evidence

137

(1)

Identify your warrants, or unstated beliefs

137

(1)

How do you write an argument that appeals to readers?

138

(8)

Draw on shared beliefs and values

139

(1)

Present opposing arguments fairly

139

(2)

Refute an opposing argument

141

(1)

An Argument That Addresses Opposing Views

141

(4)

Make concessions to another position

145

(1)

How can you recognize and avoid fallacies?

146

(7)

How Do You Write on Essay Examinations?

153

(10)

How do essay exams differ from papers?

153

(1)

How do you plan and prepare for an exam?

154

(1)

How can you write successfully in a test setting?

155

(8)

A Sample Outline

159

(2)

Framing a Successful Examination Essay

161

(2)

PART III Style

163

(158)

What Makes Paragraphs Work?

164

(17)

How do you achieve unified paragraphs?

165

(6)

Use a topic sentence

166

(2)

Ask and answer a question

168

(1)

Use internal transitions

169

(1)

Use parallelism

170

(1)

What common patterns can you use for paragraphs?

171

(5)

Cause and effect

172

(1)

Comparison and contrast

173

(1)

Definition

173

(1)

Illustration

174

(1)

Classification

174

(1)

Narration or process

174

(1)

Analogy

175

(1)

How can you improve paragraph appearance?

176

(5)

Break up long paragraph blocks

176

(1)

Reconsider short paragraphs

177

(1)

Consider your writing situation

178

(3)

How Should You Manage Opening and Closing Paragraphs?

181

(9)

What makes an opening paragraph effective?

182

(5)

Use a narrative

182

(1)

Begin with a description

183

(1)

Using a Descriptive Narrative

184

(1)

Using an Anecdote Narrative

185

(2)

Begin with a question

187

(1)

Make a direct statement

187

(1)

What makes a closing paragraph effective?

187

(3)

Make a recommendation

187

(1)

Summarize your main points

187

(1)

Link end to beginning

188

(2)

How Do You Manage Transitions?

190

(10)

How do you spot problems with transitions?

190

(6)

Check for short, disconnected sentences

190

(1)

See if you need to subordinate ideas

191

(1)

Check sentence openings for It is and There are

192

(1)

See if time and sequence markers are needed

192

(1)

Check for connecting words

193

(1)

Close gaps between paragraphs

194

(2)

How Can You Strengthen Transitions?

196

(4)

Use transition words

196

(1)

Repeat key ideas

197

(1)

Use demonstrative pronouns

198

(1)

Use relative pronouns

198

(1)

Use parallelism

198

(1)

Use semicolons

199

(1)

What Kinds of Language Can You Use?

200

(27)

What are the levels of language?

200

(6)

Choose the appropriate language level

201

(1)

Formal

202

(1)

Informal

202

(2)

Casual

204

(2)

Connotative and denotative language: What's appropriate?

206

(5)

Use denotation in research papers, case studies, and reports

207

(1)

Use denotation for newsletters, press releases, or brochures

207

(1)

Use connotation in movie reviews or editorials

208

(1)

Be alert to connotative language

209

(1)

Avoid ``whoopee'' words

210

(1)

When is dialect appropriate?

211

(2)

Appreciate dialect

211

(1)

Understand limitations

212

(1)

Use dialect when appropriate

213

(1)

How do you use inclusive language?

213

(4)

Choose familiar language

213

(1)

Avoid jargon

214

(1)

Use a friendly tone

215

(1)

Refer to common experiences

216

(1)

Use civil language

216

(1)

How do you control bias in your language?

217

(10)

Avoid sexist bias

218

(3)

Avoid racial or ethnic bias

221

(2)

Avoid bias about age or sexual orientation

223

(2)

Avoid bias against professions and social class

225

(1)

Use good judgdment

226

(1)

How Do You Construct Effective Sentences?

227

(48)

How are sentences structured?

227

(7)

Sentence patterns

228

(5)

Compound subjects, verbs, and objects

233

(1)

What do modifiers do?

234

(5)

Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns

234

(3)

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs

237

(1)

Nouns can operate as modifiers

238

(1)

Verbals can operate as modifiers

238

(1)

What are phrases?

239

(8)

Prepositional phrases

239

(2)

Verbals and verbal phrases

241

(3)

Absolute phrases

244

(1)

Appositive phrases

245

(2)

What do clauses do in sentences?

247

(4)

Independent clauses

247

(1)

Dependent clauses

248

(3)

What types of sentence can you write?

251

(2)

Simple sentences

252

(1)

Compound and complex sentences

253

(1)

How does coordination build sentences?

253

(6)

Coordinating conjunctions

253

(2)

Correlative constructions

255

(1)

Semicolons, colons, and dashes

256

(1)

Conjunctive adverbs with semicolons

257

(2)

How does subordination build sentences?

259

(5)

Use subordination to clarify relationships between clauses

259

(1)

Use subordination to shift emphasis

260

(1)

Use subordination to expand sentences

261

(1)

Use subordinate clauses sensibly

261

(3)

How does parallelism work?

264

(5)

Recognize sentence patterns that require parallel construction

264

(1)

Use parallelism in comparisons and contrasts

265

(1)

Recognize expressions that require parallel structure

265

(1)

Use parallelism to show a progression of ideas

266

(1)

Use parallelism for emphasis

266

(1)

Correct faulty parallelism

266

(3)

How do you craft balanced sentences?

269

(1)

How do you craft cumulative sentences?

270

(5)

How Do You Write Stylish Sentences?

275

(31)

What are agent/action sentences?

275

(7)

Make persons or things the subjects of sentences and clauses

275

(2)

Don't overload the subjects of sentences

277

(1)

Make sure verbs convey real actions

278

(2)

Make sure subjects can do what their verbs demand

280

(1)

Cut to be verbs whenever possible

281

(1)

Reduce the number of passive verbs

282

(1)

How can you achieve clarity?

282

(7)

Use specific details

283

(3)

State ideas positively

286

(1)

``Chunk'' your writing

286

(3)

Use charts and graphs

289

(1)

How can you write more economically?

289

(10)

Condense sprawling phrases

290

(1)

Cut nominalizations

290

(2)

Condense long verb phrases

292

(1)

Eliminate doubling and redundancies

292

(2)

Eliminate surplus intensifiers

294

(1)

Cut down on expletive constructions

294

(1)

Cut prepositional phrases

295

(1)

Cut that, which, who, whom

296

(1)

Condense sentences into clauses, clauses into phrases or words

296

(1)

Edit full scale

297

(2)

How can you achieve sentence variety?

299

(4)

Vary sentence types

299

(1)

Vary sentence patterns

300

(1)

Vary sentence length

301

(2)

How do you use figurative language?

303

(3)

Look for fresh images

303

(1)

Use similes and metaphors

304

(1)

Use analogies

305

(1)

How Do You Manage Style Online?

306

(15)

What will your online readers see?

307

(1)

How do you handle electronic correspondence?

308

(6)

How do you work in online communities?

314

(1)

How dou you present World Wide Web pages?

315

(4)

What copyright rules apply in electronic environments?

319

(2)

PART IV Design and Shape of Documents

321

(32)

How Do You Design Documents?

322

(14)

What are the basics of visual literacy?

323

(1)

How do you plan a document?

324

(3)

How do you choose type?

327

(3)

How do you choose graphics and illustrations?

330

(2)

How do you lay out the design of a document?

332

(2)

How do you work with color?

334

(2)

Model Documents

336

(17)

Academic paper, MLA format

338

(2)

Student World Wide Web site

340

(2)

Brochure

342

(2)

Newsletter

344

(2)

Business letter

346

(2)

Letter of application

348

(2)

Resume

350

(3)

PART V Grammer

353

(140)

Problems with Subject-Verb Agreement?

354

(12)

Agreement: Is the subject singular or plural?

354

(3)

Agreement: Is the subject an indefinite pronoun?

357

(2)

Agreement: Is the subject a collective noun?

359

(2)

Agreement: Is the subject separated from its verb?

361

(2)

Agreement: Is the subject hard to identify?

363

(3)

Problems with Verb Tense, Voice, and Mood?

366

(17)

How do you choose verb tenses?

366

(4)

Verb tenses and what they do

366

(3)

Perfect tenses

369

(1)

Problems with tense consistency in sentences?

370

(1)

Problems with tense consistency in longer passages?

371

(2)

Problems with irregular verbs?

373

(3)

Do you understand active and passive voice?

376

(3)

What is the subjunctive mood and how do you use it?

379

(4)

Problems with Verbals?

383

(7)

What are verbals?

383

(3)

How do verbals cause sentence fragments?

386

(2)

What is a split infinitive?

388

(2)

Problems with Plurals, Possessives, Apostrophes, and Articles?

390

(11)

Problems with plurals of nouns?

390

(4)

Problems with possessives and apostrophes?

394

(3)

Are possessives needed before gerunds?

397

(2)

Is it a or an?

399

(2)

Problems with Pronoun Reference?

401

(6)

Pronouns lack antecedents?

401

(2)

Pronoun references ambiguous?

403

(1)

Problems with this, that, which, and it?

404

(3)

Problems with Pronoun Agreement?

407

(10)

Problems with lost antecedents?

407

(3)

Agreement problems with or, nor, either ... or, neither ... nor?

410

(2)

Agreement problems with collective nouns?

412

(1)

Agreement problems with indefinite pronouns?

413

(4)

Problems with Pronoun Case?

417

(12)

Do you understand case: subjective/objective/possessive?

417

(2)

Problems with pronoun case in prepositional phrases?

419

(2)

Problems with pronoun case in comparisons?

421

(1)

Problems with pronoun case after linking verbs?

422

(2)

Trouble choosing between who and whom?

424

(2)

Problems with possessive pronouns?

426

(1)

Special problems: its/it's and whose/who's

427

(2)

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers

The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers

9780321002488

0321002482

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Write a Review

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers

The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers

9780321002488

0321002482

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Write a Review

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