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

by Dornan, Edward A.

• ISBN13: 9780321409270
• ISBN10: 0321409272
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Spiral Bound
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Longman

Summary

Completely updated and featuring a new section on study skills,The Brief English Handbookoffers the convenience and coverage of other handbooks at half the cost. Known for its straightforward advice, accessible writing style, and clear organization, this easy-to-use handbook emphasizes critical thinking and features complete coverage of composition basics. Spiral-bound and affordably priced,The Brief English Handbookdespite its streamlined sizegives thorough attention to grammar, punctuation, mechanics, critical thinking, research, and the writing process. Numerous examples and samples provide models of writing, including excellent coverage of workplace writing.

Table of Contents

Features Contents	xix
Preface	xxi
To the Student	xxvii
PART I Effective Thinking, Writing, and Studying	1	(34)
1 Thinking and Writing	2	(8)
a. Use critical thinking to write a definition of a problem	4	(1)
b. Use creative thinking to generate information	5	(2)
c. Use creative thinking to write a list of tentative options	7	(1)
d. Use critical thinking to test tentative options	7	(1)
e. Use critical thinking to evaluate reliable options	8	(2)
2 Basics of Critical Thinking	10	(11)
a. Distinguish facts from opinions	10	(1)
b. Analyze inferences	11	(2)
c. Verify interpretations	13	(2)
d. Identify logical fallacies	15	(5)
e. Evaluate propaganda	20	(1)
3 Critical Thinking and Reasoning	21	(7)
a. Use reflective listening	22	(1)
b. Trace inductive process	23	(2)
c. Trace deductive process	25	(3)
4 Effective Studying	28	(7)
a. Make a plan	29	(1)
b. Use your study time efficiently	29	(1)
c. Use class time efficiently	30	(1)
d. Read carefully and critically	31	(1)
e. Prepare efficiently for tests	32	(3)
PART II The College Essay	35	(66)
5 Write for a reader	36	(10)
a. Have a dominant purpose	36	(1)
b. Have a clear structure	37	(1)
c. Follow clear development patterns	38	(8)
A student essay for study	39	(7)
6 Begin the composing process	46	(14)
a. Analyze the writing situation	47	(3)
b. Find a subject in open-ended assignments	50	(1)
c. Analyze the language of close-ended assignments	50	(5)
d. Narrow the subject so that it can be covered in a single essay	55	(1)
e. Use association techniques to gather information	56	(2)
f. Evaluate prewritten information	58	(2)
7 Write a thesis statement and develop a plan	60	(11)
a. Clarify a subject by stating a purpose	61	(1)
b. Sketch an informal plan	61	(2)
c. Write a clear, limited working thesis statement	63	(5)
d. Draft a formal outline	68	(3)
8 Write a first draft	71	(6)
a. Write an introduction	71	(3)
b. Write a discussion several paragraphs long	74	(2)
c. Write a conclusion	76	(1)
9 Revise the first draft	77	(14)
a. Phase 1, improve the major elements	77	(8)
b. Phase 2, improve the smaller elements	85	(4)
c. Phase 3, proofread and write a title	89	(2)
10 Standard manuscript form	91	(2)
11 Instructor and peer review	93	(8)
PART III Paragraphs	101	(1)
12 Topic sentences	102	(47)
a. State a paragraph's subject and controlling idea in a brief topic sentence	102	(3)
b. Develop a paragraph fully	105	(1)
c. Close a paragraph with a clincher sentence	106	(2)
13 Unified paragraphs	108	(1)
a. Maintain unity throughout paragraph	108	(3)
14 Coherent paragraphs	111	(1)
a. Achieve coherence with transitional words and phrases	111	(1)
b. Achieve coherence through the repetition of key words	112	(1)
c. Achieve coherence by using parallel structure	113	(1)
15 Descriptive and narrative paragraphs	114	(1)
a. Write active description that appeals to the senses	115	(2)
b. Balance subjective responses with objective description	117	(1)
c. Select an effective arrangement for descriptive paragraphs	118	(2)
d. Arrange narrative paragraphs in a clear time sequence	120	(4)
16 Expository paragraphs	124	(1)
a. Use examples to illustrate a point	124	(5)
b. Use comparison to explain similarities and differences	129	(3)
c. Use cause and effect to reveal reasons and results	132	(4)
d. Use classification to arrange information in categories	136	(2)
e. Use definition to clarify unusual words	138	(2)
f. Use process analysis to show how to do something or how something works	140	(2)
17 Argument paragraphs	142	(7)
PART IV Sentence Clarity, Variety, and Word Choice	149	(1)
18 Emphasize equal ideas; deemphasize unequal ideas	150	(45)
a. Combine choppy sentences	152	(1)
b. Avoid faulty or excessive coordination and subordination	152	(3)
19 Use parallel structure for emphasis	155	(1)
a. Coordinating elements	155	(1)
b. Comparing ideas	156	(1)
c. Correlative constructions	156	(1)
20 Create sentence variety	157	(1)
a. Sentence beginnings	158	(1)
b. Sentence structures	159	(1)
c. Sentence forms	160	(2)
21 Rewrite misplaced modifiers	162	(1)
a. Modified words	162	(1)
b. Squinting modifiers	163	(1)
c. Limiting modifiers	163	(1)
d. Awkwardly placed modifiers	164	(1)
e. Split infinitives	165	(1)
f. Dangling modifiers	165	(2)
22 Revise for consistency	167	(1)
a. Person and number	168	(1)
b. Tense	168	(1)
c. Mood	169	(1)
d. Subject and voice	169	(1)
e. Direct and indirect discourse	170	(1)
f. Grammatical plans	171	(1)
g. Faulty predication	172	(1)
23 Add omitted words	173	(1)
a. Comparisons	173	(1)
b. Missing words in compound word groups	174	(1)
c. The word that to prevent misreadings	175	(1)
d. Articles a, an, and the	175	(1)
24 Use appropriate language	176	(1)
a. Slang, regional expressions, neologisms, obsolete words	177	(1)
b. Jargon	178	(1)
c. Pretentious language	179	(1)
d. Sexist language	180	(2)
25 Revise wordy sentences	182	(1)
a. Empty phrases	182	(1)
b. Careless repetition	183	(1)
c. Redundancy	184	(1)
d. Euphemism	185	(1)
26 Choose exact words	186	(1)
a. Denotation and connotation	186	(2)
b. Abstract and general words	188	(2)
c. Idioms	190	(1)
d. Figurative language	191	(2)
e. Trite expressions	193	(2)
PART V Sentence Errors	195	(1)
27 Rewrite sentence fragments	196	(47)
a. Subordinate clauses	196	(1)
b. Phrases	196	(1)
c. Compound predicates and word groups	197	(1)
d. Special situations	198	(2)
28 Revise run-on sentences	200	(3)
29 Examine subject-verb agreement	203	(1)
a. Intervening words	204	(1)
b. Compound subjects	204	(1)
c. Singular verbs with indefinite pronouns	205	(1)
d. Collective nouns and nouns ending in -s	206	(1)
e. Miscellaneous subject-verb agreement problems	207	(2)
30 Examine pronoun-antecedent agreement	209	(1)
a. Compound antecedents	209	(1)
b. Indefinite pronouns as antecedents	210	(1)
c. Collective nouns	210	(1)
d. Generic nouns	211	(1)
e. Who, whom, which, and that	211	(3)
31 Check pronoun reference	214	(1)
a. Broad references	214	(1)
b. It, they, and you	214	(1)
c. One antecedent	215	(1)
d. -self and -selves	216	(1)
32 Use appropriate pronoun case	217	(1)
a. Subjective case	218	(1)
b. Objective case	219	(1)
c. We or us before a noun	219	(1)
d. Appositives	219	(1)
e. Elliptical comparisons	220	(1)
f. Subjects and objects of infinitives	220	(1)
g. Possessive case before a gerund	221	(1)
h. Who and whom	222	(1)
33 Select accurate verb forms and tense	223	(3)
a. Present tense	226	(1)
b. Past tense	227	(1)
c. Future tense	227	(1)
d. Present perfect tense	228	(1)
e. Past perfect tense	228	(1)
f. Future perfect tense	228	(1)
g. Sequence of tenses	228	(4)
34 Use the appropriate mood	232	(1)
a. Subjunctive form were	233	(1)
b. Subjunctive form in that clauses	233	(1)
c. Standard phrases and idioms	233	(1)
35 Write in active rather than passive voice	234	(3)
36 Select adjectives and adverbs with care	237	(1)
a. In modification	238	(1)
b. With linking verbs	238	(1)
c. After direct objects	238	(1)
d. Bad, badly, good, and well	239	(1)
e. Comparisons	240	(1)
f. Comparatives and superlatives	241	(1)
g. Illogical comparisons	241	(2)
PART VI Punctuation	243	(1)
37 Comma	244	(45)
a. Main clauses joined with and, but, or	244	(3)
b. Introductory phrases and clauses	247	(2)
c. Nonrestrictive and restrictive elements	249	(5)
d. Items in a series	254	(1)
e. Coordinate and cumulative adjectives	255	(2)
f. Parenthetical expressions like for example, however	257	(1)
g. Mild interjections like yes, no	258	(1)
h. Absolute phrases	259	(1)
i. Contrasting expressions	259	(1)
j. Direct quotations	259	(1)
k. Established conventions	260	(2)
l. Misunderstandings and omissions	262	(1)
38 Unnecessary commas	263	(1)
a. Between subject and verb	263	(1)
b. Between verb and object	263	(1)
c. Between preposition and object	263	(1)
d. Between modified words	263	(1)
e. Compound elements	264	(1)
f. Restrictive elements	264	(1)
g. After like and such as	264	(1)
h. Items in a series	264	(1)
i. Indirect discourse	265	(1)
j. Before than	265	(1)
k. Other punctuation marks	265	(2)
39 Semicolon	267	(1)
a. Between main clauses	267	(1)
b. With conjunctive adverbs	268	(1)
c. Long main clauses	268	(1)
d. Long phrases or clauses with commas	268	(1)
e. Misuses	269	(2)
40 Quotation marks	271	(1)
a. Direct quotations	271	(2)
b. Titles	273	(1)
c. Words used in a special sense	273	(1)
d. With other punctuation marks	274	(1)
e. Single quotation marks	275	(2)
41 Colon	277	(1)
a. To introduce a series	277	(1)
b. With the following or as follows	277	(1)
c. Second main clause that explains the first	277	(1)
d. Final appositive	278	(1)
e. Long quotations	278	(1)
f. Subtitles	278	(1)
g. Formal salutation	278	(1)
h. Misuses	278	(2)
42 Dash	280	(1)
a. Appositives and parenthetical expressions	280	(1)
b. To separate a series	280	(1)
c. Special emphasis	280	(1)
d. Break in tone	281	(1)
e. Before a name	281	(1)
43 Ellipsis mark	281	(1)
a. Omission in quotation	281	(1)
b. Omitted paragraph or line of poetry	282	(1)
c. Unfinished statement	282	(1)
44 Parentheses	283	(1)
a. Description and explanation	283	(1)
b. With letters or figures	284	(1)
45 Brackets	284	(1)
46 Slash	285	(1)
47 End punctuation	286	(1)
a. End statements	286	(1)
b. Abbreviations	286	(1)
c. Direct questions	287	(1)
d. Indicate doubt	287	(1)
e. Interjections, commands, emphatic statements	287	(2)
PART VII Mechanics	289	(1)
48 Capitals	290	(27)
a. First word in sentences	290	(1)
b. O, I, I've, I'm	290	(1)
c. Titles	291	(1)
d. Direct quotations	291	(1)
e. Lines of poetry	292	(1)
f. Names	292	(2)
g. Academic titles	294	(1)
h. Abbreviations	294	(1)
i. Common mistakes	294	(2)
49 Apostrophe	296	(1)
a. Possessive case of nouns and indefinite pronouns	296	(2)
b. Possessive pronouns	298	(1)
c. Omissions	298	(1)
d. Plurals of letters and words	298	(1)
50 Abbreviations	299	(1)
a. Titles before a name	299	(1)
b. Titles after a name	299	(1)
c. Corporations, organizations, countries	300	(1)
d. Common abbreviations	300	(1)
e. English and Latin abbreviations	300	(1)
f. Nonabbreviated terms	300	(2)
51 Italics (underlining)	302	(1)
a. Titles	302	(1)
b. Names of spacecraft, aircraft, ships, trains	303	(1)
c. Uncommon expressions	303	(1)
d. Words, letters, numbers, phrases, symbols	303	(1)
e. Emphasis	304	(1)
f. College papers	304	(1)
52 Hyphen	304	(1)
a. Broken words	304	(1)
b. Compound words	305	(1)
c. Descriptive words	305	(1)
d. Numbers	305	(1)
e. Prefixes, suffixes, and letters with words	305	(1)
f. Hyphenated words in a series	306	(1)
g. Avoid confusion	306	(1)
53 Numbers	306	(1)
a. Numbers of one or two words	307	(1)
b. Numbers of three or more words	307	(1)
c. Combination of numbers	307	(1)
d. Dates, time, etc.	307	(1)
e. Numbers beginning sentences	308	(1)
54 Spelling	309	(1)
a. i before e	309	(1)
b. Final e	309	(1)
c. Final y	310	(1)
d. Final consonant	310	(1)
e. Plurals	310	(7)
PART VIII Special College Essays	317	(1)
55 The argument essay	318	(31)
a. Draft a purpose statement	318	(1)
b. Evaluate evidence	319	(2)
c. Confront the opposition	321	(2)
d. Write a thesis statement	323	(1)
e. Arrange an argument	324	(1)
f. Write for a reader	325	(1)
g. Use the Toulmin model	325	(7)
A student argument essay	327	(4)
56 The essay about literature	331	(8)
a. Formulate a thesis	332	(1)
b. Write an introduction	333	(2)
c. Write a discussion	335	(2)
d. Write a conclusion	337	(1)
e. Write a precise title	337	(1)
f. Identify quotations	337	(1)
g. Use the present tense	338	(1)
h. Avoid common mistakes	338	(7)
A student essay about literature	339	(3)
57 The essay exam	342	(45)
a. Writing an essay exam	345	(1)
b. Understanding the question	345	(1)
c. Planning your time	345	(1)
d. Planning your answer	345	(1)
e. Writing your response	346	(1)
f. Revising and proofreading	347	(2)
PART IX The Research Paper	349	(1)
58 Researching a paper	350	(75)
a. Find and limit a topic	350	(2)
b. Use research resources	352	(8)
c. Prepare a bibliography	360	(1)
d. Develop a tentative thesis and outline	361	(2)
e. Take notes	363	(9)
f. Twenty student questions and answers	372	(4)
59 Writing a research paper	376	(1)
a. Revise the thesis and outline	376	(1)
b. Write a first draft	377	(1)
c. Acknowledge sources	378	(7)
d. Complete the final draft	385	(1)
e. A sample paper	386	(20)
A student research paper	387	(19)
60 A documentation guide	406	(19)
a. MLA style	406	(9)
b. APA style	415	(4)
c. CSE style	419	(6)
PART X Communicating in the Workplace	425	(1)
61 Business letters	426	(1)
62 Memorandum form	430	(1)
63 Résumé and cover letter	431	(1)
64 Fax and e-mail	434	(1)
65 Creating an Effective Web site	436	(11)
a. Organization	436	(1)
b. Home page	437	(1)
c. Design	437	(1)
d. Links	437	(1)
e. Proofreading	437	(1)
66 Oral presentations	438	(1)
a. Organization	439	(3)
b. Rehearsal	442	(1)
c. Delivery	443	(4)
PART XI Background in the Basics	447	(1)
67 Parts of speech	448	(21)
a. Nouns	448	(1)
b. Pronouns	448	(2)
c. Verbs	450	(2)
d. Adjectives	452	(1)
e. Adverbs	453	(1)
f. Prepositions	453	(1)
g. Conjunctions	454	(1)
h. Interjections	455	(1)
68 Parts of sentences	456	(1)
a. Simple and complete subject	456	(1)
b. Simple and complete predicate	456	(1)
c. Compound subject	457	(1)
d. Compound predicate	457	(1)
e. Direct and indirect objects	457	(1)
f. Predicate adjectives and nominatives	458	(1)
69 Phrases	459	(1)
a. Prepositional phrases	459	(1)
b. Appositive phrases	459	(1)
c. Infinitives and infinitive phrases	460	(1)
d. Participles and participial phrases	460	(1)
e. Gerunds and gerund phrases	461	(1)
f. Absolute phrases	462	(1)
70 Clauses	463	(1)
a. Main clauses	463	(1)
b. Subordinate clauses	464	(1)
71 Sentence patterns	465	(4)
PART XII Background for Multilingual Writers	469	(1)
72 Omitted words	470	(1)
73 Noun markers	471	(1)
74 Verb combinations	474	(1)
75 Faulty repetitions	480	(1)
76 Present and past participles	481	(2)
Glossaries	483	(1)
Glossary of Usage	484	(1)
Glossary of Grammatical Terms	493	(10)
Index	503