Writing A Concise Handbook

by Heffernan, James A. W.; Lincoln, John E.

• ISBN13: 9780393970920
• ISBN10: 0393970922
• Edition: 00
• Format: Spiral Bound
• Copyright: 1996-10-17
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Summary

Writing: A Concise Handbook is the only handbook that places equal emphasis on helping you strengthen your writing and on showing you how to correct (and, later, avoid) common errors. Its features include:An Emphasis on Writing Power. Chapter 4, "Ten Ways to Invigorate Your Style," suggests ten practical strategies for enlivening your writing.A Checklist for Correcting Errors. Chapter 12, "Correcting Common Errors," includes as alphabetical listing of twenty-five common stumbling blocks and advice on correcting them.A Thorough Introduction to the Writing Process. Part One guides you through the writing process'”and includes a brief but informative section on how to construct a persuasive argument.Tools for Research Writing. part Three includes a separately tabbed chapter on MLA and APA documentation styles, information on using the internet for research, and an annotated sample student paper in MLA format.

Table of Contents

Preface: To Instructors	xi
Introduction: Using This Book	xv
PART ONE: THE WRITING PROCESS	1	(42)
Planning Your Essay	3	(9)
Finding a Topic	3	(1)
Personal Topics	3	(1)
Topics Reaching beyond Your Personal Experience	4	(1)
Refining Your Topic	4	(1)
Asking Questions about Your Topic	5	(1)
Active Reading	5	(1)
Finding Your Aim	6	(1)
Self-Expression	6	(1)
Exposition	7	(1)
Persuasion	7	(1)
Thinking about Your Audience	7	(1)
Generating a Thesis	8	(1)
Making an Outline	9	(3)
Shaping and Developing Your Essay	12	(20)
Introducing Your Essay	12	(2)
Writing the Middle: Shaping Paragraphs	14	(5)
Direction: Forecasting Your Main Point	14	(1)
Signaling Turns	15	(1)
Choosing Transitional Words and Phrases: In Brief	16	(1)
Coherence: List and Chain Structures	17	(1)
Linking and Turning: Transitions between Paragraphs	18	(1)
Ending Your Essay	19	(1)
Developing Your Essay	20	(12)
Describing	20	(1)
Narrating	21	(1)
Using Examples	22	(1)
Using Analogy	22	(1)
Comparing and Contrasting	22	(1)
Using Definition	23	(1)
Using Classification and Division	24	(1)
Explaining a Process	25	(1)
Explaining Cause and Effect	26	(1)
Persuasion: Shaping an Argument	26	(6)
Revising and Editing Your Essay	32	(11)
Peer Reviewing: Making and Getting Written Comments on Your Draft	32	(1)
Questions for Use in Peer Reviewing: In Brief	33	(1)
Reviewing Your Own Essay: Reconsidering Its Structure	33	(2)
Revising with the Help of Your Instructor's Comments	35	(1)
Editing Checklists	36	(4)
Making Your Sentences Rhetorically Effective	36	(1)
Checking Your Choice of Words	37	(1)
Checking Your Grammar	38	(1)
Checking Your Punctuation	39	(1)
Checking Your Spelling, Capitalization, and Apostrophes	39	(1)
Final Editing and Proofreading	40	(1)
Preparing and Submitting Your Final Copy	41	(2)
PART TWO: CRAFTING SENTENCES	43	(158)
Ten Ways to Invigorate Your Style	47	(12)
Vary the length of your sentences	47	(1)
Use parallel construction	48	(1)
Make the voice of your verbs emphasize your meaning.	49	(1)
Changing from One Voice to Another	49	(1)
Using the Active Voice	50	(1)
Use action verbs instead of be.	50	(1)
Use subordination to highlight your main point	51	(1)
Combine general and abstract terms with concrete and specific words.	51	(1)
Use words figuratively.	52	(2)
Using Similes	53	(1)
Using Metaphors	53	(1)
Avoiding Mixed Metaphors	53	(1)
Use modifiers.	54	(1)
Ask questions.	54	(1)
Be concise.	55	(4)
Understanding Sentence Structure	59	(18)
Subject and Predicate	59	(1)
Writing the Predicate: Verbs	60	(2)
Verbs and Verb Phrases	60	(1)
Types of Verbs	60	(2)
Writing the Subject	62	(2)
Nouns	62	(1)
Noun Phrases	62	(1)
Pronouns	63	(1)
Verbal Nouns	63	(1)
Putting the Subject after the Verb	64	(1)
Omitting the Subject	64	(1)
Modifiers	64	(1)
Compound Phrases	65	(1)
Coordination: The Compound Sentence	65	(3)
Making Compound Sentences	66	(1)
Compounding with Conjunctions	66	(1)
Compounding with Semicolons	67	(1)
Compounding with Conjunctive Adverbs	67	(1)
Subordination: The Complex Sentence	68	(5)
Adjective Clauses	69	(1)
Choosing Relative Pronouns	69	(1)
Adverb Clauses	70	(1)
Subordinators	71	(1)
Placing Adverb Clauses	72	(1)
Noun Clauses	72	(1)
Compound and Complex Structure Combined	73	(4)
Using Modifiers	77	(10)
Adjectives and Adjective Phrases	77	(1)
Adverbs and Adverb Phrases	78	(1)
Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases	79	(1)
Forming and Using Comparatives and Superlatives	79	(1)
Using Appositives	80	(1)
Using Participles and Participle Phrases	81	(1)
Using Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases	82	(1)
Using Absolute Phrases	82	(5)
Verb Forms: Subject-Verb Agreement, Tense, and Mood	87	(16)
Subject-Verb Agreement	87	(6)
Making Verbs Agree with Subjects	87	(1)
Making the Verb Be Agree with Subjects	88	(1)
Recognizing the Number of the Subject	89	(4)
Verb Tense	93	(5)
Forming the Tenses	93	(2)
Using the Tenses (Common Forms)	95	(2)
Picturing the Tenses: In Brief	97	(1)
Verbs and Mood	98	(5)
Using Subjunctive Verb Forms	98	(1)
Mood in Conditional Sentences	99	(4)
Pronouns	103	(8)
Making Pronouns and Antecedents Agree	103	(3)
Agreement in Gender	103	(1)
Agreement in Number	104	(2)
Pronoun Case Forms	106	(1)
Using Pronoun Case	107	(4)
Word Choice	111	(32)
Using the Dictionary	111	(1)
Choosing Words for Their Denotation	111	(2)
Choosing Words for Their Connotation	113	(1)
Cliches	113	(1)
Using Idioms	114	(1)
Phrases of Figurative or Literal Meaning	114	(1)
Phrases Needing Special Prepositions or Particles	114	(1)
Avoiding Jargon, Pretentious Words, and Euphemisms	115	(1)
Slang	116	(1)
Using Gender-Inclusive (Nonsexist) Language	116	(2)
Occupational Terms	116	(1)
Man and Man-Words	117	(1)
Pronouns Referring to Words of Unspecified Gender	117	(1)
Referring to Others with Respect	118	(1)
Glossary of Usage	118	(25)
Punctuation	143	(20)
The Comma	143	(3)
Using Commas with Conjunctions	143	(1)
Using Commas after Introductory Elements	143	(1)
Using Commas with Nonrestrictive Modifiers	144	(1)
Using Commas with a Series of Items	145	(1)
Using Commas with Addresses, Dates, and Large Numbers	145	(1)
The Semicolon and Colon	146	(1)
Using the Semicolon	146	(1)
Using the Colon	146	(1)
Punctuating Conjunctive Adverbs: Using the Semicolon and the Comma	147	(1)
End Marks	147	(2)
Using the Period	147	(1)
Using the Question Mark	148	(1)
Using the Exclamation Point	148	(1)
The Dash and Parentheses	149	(1)
Using the Dash	149	(1)
Using Parentheses	149	(1)
Using the Hyphen	150	(2)
Using the Apostrophe	152	(1)
Marking Possession	152	(1)
Marking the Plural	153	(1)
Marking Omissions and Contractions	153	(1)
Quotation Marks and Quoting	153	(10)
Quoting Words and Short Passages: Double and Single Quotation Marks	154	(1)
Using Quotation Marks with Other Punctuation	154	(1)
Quoting Long Prose Passages	155	(1)
Quoting Verse	156	(1)
Using Brackets and Ellipsis Points to Mark Changes in a Quotation	157	(1)
Special Uses of Quotation Marks	158	(5)
Mechanics and Spelling	163	(14)
Capitalizing Words	163	(1)
Using Abbreviations	164	(2)
People	164	(1)
Places	165	(1)
Other Instances	165	(1)
Using Numbers	166	(1)
Using Italics or Underlining	167	(1)
Writing Titles	168	(2)
Spelling	170	(7)
Spell-Check Computer Programs	170	(1)
Listing Your Spelling Demons	170	(1)
Learning How to Add Suffixes	171	(1)
Learning How to Add Prefixes	172	(1)
Homonyms	172	(1)
Pluralizing Simple Nouns	172	(1)
Pluralizing Compound Nouns	173	(1)
Pluralizing Figures, Abbreviations, Letters, and Isolated Words	173	(4)
Correcting Common Errors	177	(24)
Abbreviations Misused	177	(1)
Colon Misused	178	(1)
Comma Misused	178	(2)
Between Basic Parts of a Sentence	178	(1)
With a Conjunction	179	(1)
With Restrictive Modifiers	179	(1)
The Comma Splice	180	(1)
Comparison Fault	180	(1)
Dangling Modifier	181	(1)
Direct and Indirect Reporting of Discourse Confused	182	(1)
Double Negatives	183	(1)
Fragments	183	(2)
Using and Misusing Sentence Fragments	183	(1)
Spotting and Editing Fragments	184	(1)
Misplaced Modifiers	185	(1)
Squinting Modifiers	185	(1)
Misplaced Restricter	186	(1)
Mixed Constructions	186	(2)
Modifier Misused as Subject	187	(1)
Verb Misused with Direct Object	187	(1)
Incompatible Items Joined by a Linking Verb	187	(1)
Parallel Structure Faulty	188	(1)
Passive Voice Misused	189	(1)
Past Participle Misformed	189	(1)
Possessive Needed Before a Gerund	189	(1)
Pronoun Case Forms Misused	190	(1)
Pronoun Reference Unclear	191	(3)
Ambiguity	192	(1)
Broad Reference	192	(1)
Muffled Reference	193	(1)
Free-Floating They	193	(1)
Indefinite You and Your	194	(1)
Question Mark Misused	194	(1)
Quotation Misfitted	194	(1)
Run-On (Fused) Sentences	195	(1)
Semicolon Misused	195	(1)
Split Infinitives	196	(1)
Subject-Verb Agreement Faulty	196	(2)
Tangled Sentence Structure	198	(1)
Verbs: Faulty Tense Shift	198	(1)
Would Have Misused in a Conditional Clause	199	(2)
PART THREE: THE RESEARCH PAPER	201	(60)
Finding Sources and Taking Notes	203	(14)
Choosing a Topic	203	(1)
Using the Library: The Reference Section	204	(1)
Computerized Indexes	204	(1)
Encyclopedias	204	(1)
Book-and-Article Bibliographies	205	(1)
Biographical Guides	205	(1)
Indexes to Articles	205	(1)
Finding Books	205	(3)
The On-Line Library Catalog	205	(2)
The Card Catalog	207	(1)
Getting Books Your Library Doesn't Have	208	(1)
Finding Articles	208	(1)
Finding Information on the Internet	209	(1)
Gophers	209	(1)
The World Wide Web	210	(1)
Keeping Track of Your Sources	210	(1)
Reading Your Sources	211	(1)
Marking Each Note with a Source Reference	212	(1)
Photocopying	212	(1)
Taking Notes with a Word Processor	212	(2)
Taking Notes on Index Cards	214	(1)
Conducting an Interview	214	(3)
Conducting an Interview: In Brief	216	(1)
Writing the Research Paper	217	(20)
Formulating Your Thesis	217	(1)
Making an Outline	218	(1)
Composing the Paper as a Whole	218	(3)
Avoiding Plagiarism	221	(1)
Signaling Use of a Source	222	(2)
Introducing Source Material	222	(1)
Marking the End of Source Material Used: Parenthetical Citing	223	(1)
Quoting	224	(1)
Summarizing and Paraphrasing	225	(2)
Preparing the Final Copy of the Research Paper	227	(1)
Sample Research Paper with MLA Parenthetical Style	227	(10)
Documenting the Research Paper	237	(24)
Documenting Sources in the Humanities: The MLA Parenthetical Style	239	(17)
Citing and Listing Sources in the MLA Parenthetical Style: In Brief	240	(1)
Parenthetical Citing: Basic Procedures	241	(2)
Listing the Works Cited: Basic Procedures	243	(1)
Citing and Listing Various Sources	244	(12)
Documenting Sources in the Social Sciences: The APA Parenthetical Style	256	(4)
Citing and Listing Sources in the APA Parenthetical Style: In Brief	256	(1)
Writing APA Parentetical Citations	256	(2)
Writing the Reference List APA Style	258	(2)
Documenting Sources in the Sciences	260	(1)
APPENDICES	261	(42)
Appendix 1 Document Design	263	(20)
DD-1 Sample Academic Documents	264	(1)
A. Essay in MLA Style	264	(3)
B. Research Paper in MLA Style	267	(1)
C. Research Paper in APA Style	268	(1)
DD-2 Sample Business Documents	269	(1)
A. Job Applications: The Resume and the Cover Letter	269	(1)
1. The Resume	269	(3)
2. The Cover Letter	272	(3)
B. The Memo	275	(1)
DD-3 General Tools of Document Design	276	(1)
A. Fonts	276	(1)
B. Emphasis	277	(1)
C. Headings	278	(1)
D. Tables and Figures	278	(1)
1. Presenting Tables	279	(1)
2. Presenting Figures	280	(3)
Appendix 2 English as a Second Language	283	(20)
ESL-1 A, An, The, and Other Determiners	284	(1)
A. Determiners Defined	284	(1)
B. Choosing a Determiner: Countable and Uncountable Nouns	285	(1)
C. Using A/An	286	(1)
D. Misusing or Mistakenly Omitting A/An	286	(1)
E. Using The	287	(1)
F. Misusing The	287	(1)
G. Using and Misusing The with Names	288	(1)
H. Using Some, Any, No, and Not	289	(1)
I. Using the Demonstratives (This, That, These, Those)	290	(1)
J. Using the Possessives	290	(1)
K. Using Group 2 Determiners: Ordinal Numbers	290	(1)
L. Using Group 3 Determiners: Cardinal Numbers and Words Denoting Quantity	291	(1)
M. All, Both, Half, and Other Predeterminers	291	(1)
Using A, An, The, and Other Determiners: In Brief	292	(2)
ESL-2 Gerunds and Infinitives	294	(2)
ESL-3 Multiword Verbs (Verb-Particle Combinations)	296	(1)
ESL-4 Making Sentences Complete: Subject, Linking Verbs, Expletives	296	(1)
A. Supplying a Subject	296	(1)
B. Using Linking Verbs (Is, Are, Was, Were)	297	(1)
C. Using There and It to Start a Declarative Sentence	297	(1)
ESL-5 Using Do and Does	298	(1)
A. Do as a Main Verb	298	(1)
B. Do as a Helping Verb	299	(1)
C. Misusing-s with Does	299	(1)
ESL-6 Avoiding Redundant Pronouns	299	(1)
ESL-7 Using Participles as Modifiers	300	(1)
ESL-8 Using and Misusing Progressive Forms of the Verb	301	(1)
A. Using the Progressive Forms	301	(1)
B. Misusing the Progressive Forms	302	(1)
Index	303