Brief English Handbook, The: A Guide to Writing, Thinking, Grammar, and Research

ISBN 13:
9780321182722
ISBN 10:
0321182723
Edition: 7th
Format: Spiral Bound
Copyright: 01/01/2004
Publisher: Longman
Newer Edition

Note: Not guaranteed to come with supplemental materials (access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.)

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Summary

This easytouse handbook features fulllength coverage of composition basics in a concise and userfriendly format. Professors will appreciate its thorough attention to the writing process and critical thinking as well as grammar and research. Students will appreciate its userfriendly trim size, spiral bound format, and affordable price.Provides complete, authoritative coverage of the writing process, research and grammar, with detailed discussions of critical thinking and argument, using computers and the Internet for writing and research, the latest guidelines for citing sources correctly in MLA and APA styles, and writing for the workplace. For anyone needing a reference geared to writing and/or researching papers.

Preface

xix

To the Student

xxv

PART I Effective Thinking and Writing

(28)

Thinking and Writing

(8)

Use critical thinking to write a definition of a problem

(1)

Use creative thinking to generate information

(2)

Use creative thinking to write a list of tentative options

(1)

Use critical thinking to test tentative options

(1)

Use critical thinking to evaluate reliable options

(2)

Basics of Critical Thinking

(11)

Distinguish facts from opinions

(1)

Analyze inferences

(2)

Verify interpretations

(2)

Identify logical fallacies

(5)

Evaluate propaganda

(1)

Critical Thinking and Reasoning

(8)

Use reflective listening

(1)

Trace inductive process

(2)

Trace deductive process

(4)

PART II The College Essay

(68)

Write for a reader

(11)

Have a dominant purpose

(1)

Have a clear structure

(1)

Follow clear development patterns

(9)

A student essay for study

(8)

Begin the composing process

(14)

Analyze the writing situation

(2)

Find a subject in open-ended assignments

(1)

Analyze the language of close-ended assignments

(4)

Narrow the subject so that it can be covered in a single essay

(2)

Use association techniques to gather information

(2)

Evaluate prewritten information

(2)

Write a thesis statement and develop a plan

(11)

Clarify a subject by stating a purpose

(1)

Sketch an informal plan

(2)

Write a clear, limited working thesis statement

(5)

Draft a formal outline

(3)

Write a first draft

(7)

Write an introduction

(2)

Write a discussion several paragraphs long

(2)

Write a conclusion

(1)

Revise the first draft

(14)

Phase 1, improve the major elements

(7)

Phase 2, improve the smaller elements

(5)

Phase 3, proofread and write a title

(1)

Standard manuscript form

(3)

Instructor and peer review

(7)

PART III Paragraphs

(48)

Topic sentences

(6)

State a paragraph's subject and controlling idea in a brief topic sentence

(3)

Develop a paragraph fully

101

(1)

Close a paragraph with a clincher sentence

102

(2)

Unified paragraphs

104

(4)

Coherent paragraphs

108

(3)

Achieve coherence with transitional words and phrases

108

(1)

Achieve coherence through the repetition of key words

109

(1)

Achieve coherence by using parallel structure

110

(1)

Descriptive and narrative paragraphs

111

(10)

Write active description that appeals to the senses

112

(2)

Balance subjective responses with objective description

114

(1)

Select an effective arrangement for descriptive paragraphs

115

(2)

Arrange narrative paragraphs in a clear time sequence

117

(4)

Expository paragraphs

121

(18)

Use examples to illustrate a point

121

(5)

Use comparison to explain similarities and differences

126

(3)

Use cause and effect to reveal reasons and results

129

(4)

Use classification to arrange information in categories

133

(2)

Use definition to clarify unusual words

135

(2)

Use process analysis to show how to do something or how something works

137

(2)

Argument paragraphs

139

(6)

PART IV Sentence Clarity, Variety, and Word Choice

145

(46)

Emphasize equal ideas; deemphasize unequal ideas

146

(5)

Combine choppy sentences

148

(1)

Avoid faulty or excessive coordination and subordination

148

(3)

Use parallel structure for emphasis

151

(2)

Coordinating elements

151

(1)

Comparing ideas

152

(1)

Correlative constructions

152

(1)

Create sentence variety

153

(5)

Sentence beginnings

154

(1)

Sentence structures

155

(1)

Sentence forms

156

(2)

Rewrite misplaced modifiers

158

(5)

Modified words

158

(1)

Squinting modifiers

159

(1)

Limiting modifiers

159

(1)

Awkwardly placed modifiers

160

(1)

Split infinitives

161

(1)

Dangling modifiers

161

(2)

Revise for consistency

163

(6)

Person and number

164

(1)

Tense

164

(1)

Mood

165

(1)

Subject and voice

165

(1)

Direct and indirect discourse

166

(1)

Grammatical plans

167

(1)

Faulty predication

168

(1)

Add omitted words

169

(3)

Comparisons

169

(1)

Missing words in compound word groups

170

(1)

The word that to prevent misreadings

171

(1)

Articles a, an, and the

171

(1)

Use appropriate language

172

(6)

Slang, regional expressions, neologisms, obsolete words

173

(1)

Jargon

174

(1)

Pretentious language

175

(1)

Sexist language

176

(2)

Revise wordy sentences

178

(4)

Empty phrases

178

(2)

Careless repetition

180

(1)

Redundancy

180

(1)

Euphemism

181

(1)

Choose exact words

182

(9)

Denotation and connotation

183

(1)

Abstract and general words

184

(2)

Idioms

186

(1)

Figurative language

187

(2)

Trite expressions

189

(2)

PART V Sentence Errors

191

(48)

Rewrite sentence fragments

192

(4)

Subordinate clauses

192

(1)

Phrases

192

(1)

Compound predicates and word groups

193

(1)

Special situations

194

(2)

Revise run-on sentences

196

(3)

Examine subject-verb agreement

199

(6)

Intervening words

200

(1)

Compound subjects

200

(1)

Singular verbs with indefinite pronouns

201

(1)

Collective nouns and nouns ending in -s

202

(1)

Miscellaneous subject-verb agreement problems

203

(2)

Examine pronoun-antecedent agreement

205

(5)

Compound antecedents

205

(1)

Indefinite pronouns as antecedents

206

(1)

Collective nouns

206

(1)

Generic nouns

207

(1)

Who, whom, which, and that

207

(3)

Check pronoun reference

210

(3)

Broad references

210

(1)

It, they, and you

210

(1)

One antecedent

211

(1)

-self and -selves

212

(1)

Use appropriate pronoun case

213

(6)

Subjective case

214

(1)

Objective case

215

(1)

We or us before a noun

215

(1)

Appositives

215

(1)

Elliptical comparisons

216

(1)

Subjects and objects of infinitives

216

(1)

Possessive case before a gerund

217

(1)

Who and whom

218

(1)

Select accurate verb forms and tense

219

(9)

Present tense

222

(1)

Past tense

223

(1)

Future tense

223

(1)

Present perfect tense

224

(1)

Past perfect tense

224

(1)

Future perfect tense

224

(1)

Sequence of tenses

224

(4)

Use the appropriate mood

228

(2)

Subjunctive form were

229

(1)

Subjunctive form in that clauses

229

(1)

Standard phrases and idioms

229

(1)

Write in active rather than passive voice

230

(3)

Select adjectives and adverbs with care

233

(6)

In modification

234

(1)

With linking verbs

234

(1)

After direct objects

234

(1)

Bad, badly, good, and well

235

(1)

Comparisons

236

(1)

Comparatives and superlatives

237

(1)

Illogical comparisons

237

(2)

PART VI Punctuation

239

(46)

Comma

240

(19)

Main clauses joined with and, but, or

240

(3)

Introductory phrases and clauses

243

(2)

Nonrestrictive and restrictive elements

245

(5)

Items in a series

250

(1)

Coordinate and cumulative adjectives

251

(2)

Phrases like for example, she said

253

(1)

Mild interjections like yes, no

254

(1)

Absolute phrases

255

(1)

Contrasting expressions

255

(1)

Direct quotations

255

(1)

Established conventions

256

(2)

Misunderstandings and omissions

258

(1)

Unnecessary commas

259

(4)

Between subject and verb

259

(1)

Between verb and object

259

(1)

Between preposition and object

259

(1)

Between modified words

259

(1)

Compound elements

260

(1)

Restrictive elements

260

(1)

After like and such as

260

(1)

Items in a series

260

(1)

Indirect discourse

261

(1)

Before than

261

(1)

Other punctuation marks

261

(2)

Semicolon

263

(4)

Between main clauses

263

(1)

With conjunctive adverbs

264

(1)

Long main clauses

264

(1)

Long phrases or clauses with commas

264

(1)

Misuses

265

(2)

Quotation marks

267

(6)

Direct quotations

267

(2)

Titles

269

(1)

Words used in a special sense

269

(1)

With other punctuation marks

270

(1)

Single quotation marks

271

(2)

Colon

273

(3)

To introduce a series

273

(1)

With the following or as follows

273

(1)

Second main clause that explains the first

273

(1)

Final appositive

274

(1)

Long quotations

274

(1)

Subtitles

274

(1)

Formal salutation

274

(1)

Misuses

274

(2)

Dash

276

(1)

Appositives and parenthetical expressions

276

(1)

To separate a series

276

(1)

Special emphasis

276

(1)

Break in tone

277

(1)

Before a name

277

(1)

Ellipsis mark

277

(2)

Omission in quotation

277

(1)

Omitted paragraph or line of poetry

278

(1)

Unfinished statement

278

(1)

Parentheses

279

(1)

Description and explanation

279

(1)

With letters or figures

280

(1)

Brackets

280

(1)

Slash

281

(1)

End punctuation

282

(3)

End statements

282

(1)

Abbreviations

282

(1)

Direct questions

283

(1)

Indicate doubt

283

(1)

Interjections, commands, emphatic statements

283

(2)

PART VII Mechanics

285

(28)

Capitals

286

(6)

First word in sentences

286

(1)

O, I, I've, I'm

286

(1)

Titles

287

(1)

Direct quotations

287

(1)

Lines of poetry

288

(1)

Names

288

(2)

Academic titles

290

(1)

Abbreviations

290

(1)

Common mistakes

290

(2)

Apostrophe

292

(3)

Possessive case of nouns and indefinite pronouns

292

(2)

Possessive pronouns

294

(1)

Omissions

294

(1)

Plurals of letters and words

294

(1)

Abbreviations

295

(3)

Titles before a name

295

(1)

Titles after a name

295

(1)

Corporations, organizations, countries

296

(1)

Common abbreviations

296

(1)

English and Latin abbreviations

296

(1)

Common mistakes

296

(2)

Italics (underlining)

298

(2)

Titles

298

(1)

Names of spacecraft, aircraft, ships, trains

299

(1)

Uncommon expressions

299

(1)

Words, letters, numbers, phrases, symbols

299

(1)

Emphasis

300

(1)

College papers

300

(1)

Hyphen

300

(2)

Broken words

300

(1)

Compound words

301

(1)

Descriptive words

301

(1)

Numbers

301

(1)

Prefixes, suffixes, and letters with words

301

(1)

Hyphenated words in a series

302

(1)

Avoid confusion

302

(1)

Numbers

302

(3)

Numbers of one or two words

303

(1)

Numbers of three or more words

303

(1)

Combination of numbers

303

(1)

Dates, time, etc.

303

(1)

Numbers beginning sentences

304

(1)

Spelling

305

(8)

i before e

305

(1)

Final e

305

(1)

Final y

306

(1)

Final consonant

306

(1)

Plurals

306

(7)

PART VIII Special College Essays

313

(32)

The argument essay

314

(13)

Draft a purpose statement

314

(1)

Evaluate evidence

315

(2)

Confront the opposition

317

(2)

Write a thesis statement

319

(1)

Arrange an argument

320

(1)

Write for a reader

321

(1)

Use the Toulmin model

321

(6)

A student argument essay

323

(4)

The essay about literature

327

(11)

Formulate a thesis

328

(1)

Write an introduction

329

(2)

Write a discussion

331

(2)

Write a conclusion

333

(1)

Write a precise title

333

(1)

Identify quotations

333

(1)

Use the present tense

334

(1)

Avoid common mistakes

334

(4)

A student essay about literature

335

(3)

The essay exam

338

(7)

Writing an essay exam

341

(1)

Understanding the question

341

(1)

Planning your time

341

(1)

Planning your answer

341

(1)

Writing your response

342

(2)

Revising and proofreading

344

(1)

PART IX The Research Paper

345

(78)

Researching a paper

346

(26)

Find and limit a topic

346

(2)

Use research resources

348

(8)

Prepare a bibliography

356

(2)

Develop a tentative thesis and outline

358

(2)

Take notes

360

(8)

Twenty student questions and answers

368

(4)

Writing a research paper

372

(31)

Revise the thesis and outline

372

(2)

Write a first draft

374

(1)

Acknowledge sources

374

(8)

Complete the final draft

382

(1)

A sample paper

383

(20)

A student research paper

384

(19)

A documentation guide

403

(20)

MLA style

403

(10)

APA style

413

(4)

CSE style

417

(6)

PART X Communicating in the Workplace

423

(22)

Business letters

424

(4)

Memorandum form

428

(1)

Resume and cover letter

429

(3)

Fax and e-mail

432

(2)

Creating a web site

434

(2)

Organization

434

(1)

Home page

435

(1)

Design

435

(1)

Links

435

(1)

Proofreading

435

(1)

Oral presentations

436

(9)

Organization

437

(3)

Rehearsal

440

(1)

Delivery

441

(4)

PART XI Background in the Basics

445

(22)

Parts of speech

446

(8)

Nouns

446

(1)

Pronouns

446

(2)

Verbs

448

(2)

Adjectives

450

(1)

Adverbs

451

(1)

Prepositions

451

(1)

Conjunctions

452

(1)

Interjections

453

(1)

Parts of sentences

454

(3)

Simple and complete subject

454

(1)

Simple and complete predicate

454

(1)

Compound subject

455

(1)

Compound predicate

455

(1)

Direct and indirect objects

455

(1)

Predicate adjectives and nominatives

456

(1)

Phrases

457

(4)

Prepositional phrases

457

(1)

Appositive phrases

457

(1)

Infinitives and infinitive phrases

458

(1)

Participles and participial phrases

458

(1)

Gerunds and gerund phrases

459

(1)

Absolute phrases

460

(1)

Clauses

461

(2)

Main clauses

461

(1)

Subordinate clauses

462

(1)

Sentence patterns

463

(4)

PART XII Reminders for ESL Writers

467

(14)

Omitted words

468

(1)

Noun markers

469

(3)

Verb combinations

472

(6)

Faulty repetitions

478

(1)

Present and past participles

479

(2)

Glossaries

481

(20)

Glossary of Usage

482

(9)

Glossary of Grammatical Terms

491

(10)

Index

501

Brief English Handbook, The: A Guide to Writing, Thinking, Grammar, and Research

9780321182722

0321182723

Summary

Table of Contents

Write a Review

Brief English Handbook, The: A Guide to Writing, Thinking, Grammar, and Research

9780321182722

0321182723

Summary

Table of Contents

Write a Review

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