New Handbook of Basic Writing Skills

by Robey, Cora L.

• ISBN13: 9780155070714
• ISBN10: 0155070711
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-07-01
• Publisher: Thomson Learning

Summary

With its clear and simple language and abundance of exercises, The New Handbook of Basic Writing Skills is specifically designed for use by developing writers and students of ESL.

Table of Contents

Part One Sentence Basics

Sentence Makeup

What is a sentence?

Subject and verb

Negative sentences

Incomplete Sentences

Phrase fragments

Clause fragments

Verb fragments

Noun fragments

Infinitive fragments

Run-Together Sentences and Comma Splices

Separating sentences

Comma splices

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adverbs

-ed and -ing endings

With linking verbs

In comparisons

Good and well

Nouns and Pronouns

Singular and plural nouns

Singular nouns

Plural nouns

Special nouns

No plural forms

Pronoun subjects and objects

I, me

We, us

Them error

Double subjects

Who, whom

Possessive pronouns

Yours, its, whose

Mine, hers, ours, etc.

No apostrophe with pronouns

With nouns ending in -ing

Reflexive pronouns

Agreement

Making subjects agree with verbs

Part Two Improving Sentences

Sentences with Misplaced and Dangling Parts

Relocating misplaced parts

Giving dangling parts something to describe

Nonparallel Sentences

Making sentences parallel

Guiding Readers: Avoiding Shifts and Confusing References

Avoiding shifts of tense

Avoiding shifts of person

Using clear noun references

Using clear pronoun references

It, they, them

This, that

No more than one

Singular and plural

Misuse of you as general reference

Writing Effective Sentences

Varying sentence length

Coordination and subordination

Varying sentence beginnings

Part Three Punctuation

Commas and No Commas

Between main clauses

With dependent clauses

Between words in a list

Between adjectives

In direct address

In quotation

In addresses

With nonessential information

Nonessential phrases

Who, which clauses

However, etc., in parenthetical expressions

Introductory expressions

First, finally, etc.

Interrupters

Concluding expressions

To make meaning dear

Not between subject and verb

Not between verb and object

Not around essential information

Misuse of commas between adjectives

Misuse of commas with dependent clauses

Not between state and ZIP code

Using commas only with good reason

The Semicolon

Between main clauses

With transitional words

Between groups containing commas

Not in place of commas

Not in place of colons

Part four Words

The Dictionary and Some Spelling Suggestions

Finding words

Information in the dictionary

Using the dictionary for spelling

Some simple spelling rules

Y to i

i before e

Plurals

-nt, -nce

Doubling consonants

Silent e

Avoiding extra and omitted letters

Using spellcheck programs

Using the Right Word

Using correct words

Using specific words

Using appropriate words

Slang

Cliches

Regional expressions

Jargon

Mixed metaphors

Sexist language

Problem words

Too Few Words

Omitting short words

Omitting forms of be

Omitting words in Questions

Omitting words in comparisons

Comparisons with so

Too Many Words

Repeating words

Other forms of repetition

Using a simple, direct style

Part Five Paragraphs and Beyond

The Writing Process

Discovering ideas

Topic, purpose, audience, tone

Sharpening focus

Writing first draft

Revising paper

Editing and proofreading

Editing on the computer

Proofreading tips

Formatting paper

The Paragraph-Length Paper

Creating unity

Making the paragraph coherent

Developing the paragraph

The Full-Length Paper

Planning paper

Writing a thesis statement

Writing a formal outline

Developing paragraphs

Writing an introduction

Writing a conclusion

Writing different kinds of papers

Writing a first draft

Revising a draft

Editing the revised draft

Proofreading the final draft

Using sound logic

Using writing suggestions

The Mini-Research Paper and Business Writing

Choosing a topic for miniresearch paper

Locating library and on-line resources

Gathering information