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

by Dornan, Edward A.; Dawe, Charles W.

• ISBN13: 9780321182722
• ISBN10: 0321182723
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Spiral Bound
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Longman

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.

Table of Contents

Preface	xix
To the Student	xxv
PART I Effective Thinking and Writing	1	(28)
Thinking and Writing	2	(8)
Use critical thinking to write a definition of a problem	4	(1)
Use creative thinking to generate information	5	(2)
Use creative thinking to write a list of tentative options	7	(1)
Use critical thinking to test tentative options	7	(1)
Use critical thinking to evaluate reliable options	8	(2)
Basics of Critical Thinking	10	(11)
Distinguish facts from opinions	10	(1)
Analyze inferences	11	(2)
Verify interpretations	13	(2)
Identify logical fallacies	15	(5)
Evaluate propaganda	20	(1)
Critical Thinking and Reasoning	21	(8)
Use reflective listening	22	(1)
Trace inductive process	23	(2)
Trace deductive process	25	(4)
PART II The College Essay	29	(68)
Write for a reader	30	(11)
Have a dominant purpose	30	(1)
Have a clear structure	31	(1)
Follow clear development patterns	32	(9)
A student essay for study	33	(8)
Begin the composing process	41	(14)
Analyze the writing situation	42	(2)
Find a subject in open-ended assignments	44	(1)
Analyze the language of close-ended assignments	45	(4)
Narrow the subject so that it can be covered in a single essay	49	(2)
Use association techniques to gather information	51	(2)
Evaluate prewritten information	53	(2)
Write a thesis statement and develop a plan	55	(11)
Clarify a subject by stating a purpose	55	(1)
Sketch an informal plan	56	(2)
Write a clear, limited working thesis statement	58	(5)
Draft a formal outline	63	(3)
Write a first draft	66	(7)
Write an introduction	68	(2)
Write a discussion several paragraphs long	70	(2)
Write a conclusion	72	(1)
Revise the first draft	73	(14)
Phase 1, improve the major elements	74	(7)
Phase 2, improve the smaller elements	81	(5)
Phase 3, proofread and write a title	86	(1)
Standard manuscript form	87	(3)
Instructor and peer review	90	(7)
PART III Paragraphs	97	(48)
Topic sentences	98	(6)
State a paragraph's subject and controlling idea in a brief topic sentence	98	(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