The Blair Handbook

by Toby Fulwiler; Alan R. Hayakawa

• ISBN13: 9780130838391
• ISBN10: 013083839X
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-10-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall Professional Technical Reference

Summary

"Why do students take writing classes? Why is writing important? If you are a good writer, you with succeed in school and in life." The Blair Handbook, Fifth Edition, offers the best coverage of the writing process and writing across the curriculum. Your handbook is one of the most important tools you have to improve your writing. This essential reference to be used for a lifetime also gives you and your instructors access to valuable resources, including a Web site and more! Go to www.prenhall.com/fulwiler to find tutoring, self-grading exercises, instructional videos, and much more!

Table of Contents

I Writing in College	1	(36)
About Writing	2	(8)
Reading Critically	10	(16)
Reading to understand
Reading critically
The Writing Process	26	(11)
Writing as a process
Planning
Drafting
Researching
Revising
Editing
Writing with computers
Writing in English as a second language
II Planning	37	(36)
Keeping a Journal	38	(11)
Understanding journals
College journals
Ideas for journals
Inventing and Discovering	49	(8)
Brainstorming
Freewriting
Looping
Asking questions
Making outlines
Clustering
Talking with peers
Situating Writing	57	(16)
Purpose
Audiences
Voice
III Drafting	73	(74)
Reflecting	74	(15)
Character
Subject
Perspective
Setting
Sequence of Events
Theme
Student essay
Explaining	89	(17)
Writing to explain
Topic
Thesis
Strategies to explain
Organization
Neutral perspective
Student essay
Arguing	106	(26)
Elements of argument
Issue
Analysis
Position
Argument
Organization
Student essay
Interpreting	132	(15)
Interpretive essays
Text exploration
Interpretive communities
Interpretations
Different genres
Student essay
IV Researching	147	(166)
Research Essays	148	(20)
Understanding research
Managing the process
Working thesis
Research log
Using the writing process
Library Research	168	(25)
Planning
Finding sources
Electronic sources
Reading sources critically
Taking notes
Internet Research	193	(17)
The Internet
Electronic sources
Sample Web search
Field Research	210	(10)
Planning
Interviewing
Surveying
Observing
Research Sources	220	(17)
Library sources
Electronic sources
Field sources
Sources	237	(19)
Controlling sources
Organizing sources
Synthesizing information
Integrating information
Internet sources
I-search essay
Avoiding plagiarism
Documenting Sources: MLA Style	256	(29)
In-text citations
Endnotes and footnotes
Works cited
A Sampler of Research Essays	285	(28)
Literary essay: MLA style
Personal essay: MLA style
Informational paper: APA style
V Revising	313	(34)
The Revising Process	314	(9)
Understanding revising
Planning
Asking questions
Revising strategies
Focused Revising	323	(14)
Limiting
Adding
Switching
Transforming
Experimenting
Responding to Writing	337	(10)
Asking for help
Giving responses
Writing responses
Through conferences
In writing groups
VI Editing	347	(16)
The Editing Process	348	(15)
Editing techniques
The meaning of ``error''
Working with others
Editing on a computer
When English is your second language
Using Part VI
EDITING FOR EFFECTIVENESS	363	(140)
Paragraphs	364	(12)
Unity
Organization
Coherence
Openings and Conclusions	376	(15)
Engaging openings
Strong openings
Satisfying conclusions
Strong conclusions
Sentence Structure	391	(19)
Coordination
Subordination
Effective coordination, subordination
Eliminating choppiness
Using parallelism
Effective parallelism
Emphasis and Variety	410	(15)
First and final positions
Sentence length
Sentence types
Sentence openings
Deliberate repetition
Ellipitical constructions
Vitality	425	(16)
Concrete, specific nouns
Strong verbs
Active or passive voice
Vital modifiers
Being Concise	441	(14)
Vague generalities
Idle words
Grammatical constructions
Redundancy
Pretentious language
Euphemism
Tone	455	(10)
Appropriate tone
Point of view
Level of formality
Consistent tone
The Right Word	465	(26)
The history of English
Dictionary, thesaurus
Your vocabulary
Connotations
Confusing words
Prepositions, particles
Slang, regionalisms, jargon
Figurative language
Cliches
Biased Language	491	(12)
Stereotypes
Labels
Nonsexist language
EDITING GRAMMAR	503	(1)
Sentence Fragments	504	(9)
Lacking subjects, verbs
Dependent clause fragments
For special effects
Fused Sentences, Comma Splices	513
Comma and coordinating conjunction
Semicolon
Colon
Separate sentences
Subordinating one clause
Creating independent clauses