The Little, Brown Handbook

by Fowler, H. Ramsey; Aaron, Jane E.

• ISBN13: 9780321389510
• ISBN10: 0321389514
• Edition: 10th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Longman

Summary

The most trusted and authoritative name in handbooks, The Little, Brown Compact Handbook with Exercises is an easy-to-use reference that will answer any question you may have in grammar, writing, or research. It also includes exercises so you can practice skills. This edition offers the latest information on writing with computers, writing online, analyzing visuals, and researching effectively on the Internet. With clear explanations, a wealth of examples, and quick reference checklists and boxes, The Little, Brown Compact Handbook will makes it easy to find what you need and use the information you find. Will answer any question a writer has about grammar, the writing process, or research. The writing process, critical thinking, argumentative writing, style, grammar, mechanics, usage, the research process, how to document sources. Anyone who wants a reliable writing reference book.

Table of Contents

Preface for Students: Using This Book	iii
Preface for Instructors	vii
PART 1 The Writing Process	1	(126)
1 Assessing the Writing Situation	2	(14)
a Understanding how writing happens	2	(2)
b Analyzing the writing situation	4	(2)
c Discovering and limiting a subject	6	(3)
d Considering the audience	9	(4)
e Defining a purpose	13	(3)
2 Developing and Shaping Ideas	16	(28)
a. Discovering ideas	16	(11)
b Developing a thesis	27	(5)
c Organizing ideas	32	(12)
SAMPLE ESSAY	42	(2)
3 Drafting and Revising	44	(26)
a Writing the first draft	45	(3)
b Revising the first draft	48	(6)
c Examining a sample revision	54	(4)
d Editing the revised draft	58	(4)
e Preparing and proofreading the final draft	62	(1)
f EXAMINING A FINAL DRAFT	63	(3)
g Giving and receiving comments	66	(3)
h Preparing a writing portfolio	69	(1)
4 Writing and Revising Paragraphs	70	(41)
a Maintaining paragraph unity	72	(5)
b Achieving paragraph coherence	77	(13)
c Developing the paragraph	90	(12)
d Writing special kinds of paragraphs	102	(7)
e Linking paragraphs in the essay	109	(2)
5 Designing Documents	111	(16)
a Designing academic papers and other documents	111	(1)
b Considering principles of design	112	(4)
c Using the elements of design	116	(4)
d Using illustrations	120	(5)
e Considering readers with disabilities	125	(2)
PART 2 Reading and Writing in College	127	(104)
6 Writing in Academic Situations	128	(607)
a Becoming an academic writer	128	(1)
b Analyzing audience	129	(1)
c Determining purpose	130	(1)
d Choosing structure and content	131	(1)
e Using academic language	132	(603)
7 Studying Effectively and Taking Exams	735
a Managing your time	135	(2)
b Listening and taking notes in class	137	(1)
c Reading for comprehension	138	(4)
d Preparing for and taking exams	142	(8)
SAMPLE ESSAY EXAMS	147	(3)
8 Forming a Critical Perspective	150	(29)
a Thinking and reading critically	151	(13)
b Viewing images critically	164	(8)
c Writing critically	172	(7)
SAMPLE CRITIQUE OF A TEXT	173	(2)
SAMPLE CRITIQUE OF AN IMAGE	175	(4)
9 Reading Arguments Critically	179	(20)
a Recognizing the elements of argument	179	(1)
b Testing claims	180	(3)
c Weighing evidence	183	(4)
d Discovering assumptions	187	(1)
e Watching language, hearing tone	188	(1)
f Judging reasonableness	189	(3)
g Recognizing fallacies	192	(7)
10 Writing an Argument	199	(20)
a Finding a subject	199	(1)
b Conceiving a thesis statement	200	(1)
c Analyzing your purpose and your audience	201	(1)
d Using reason	202	(5)
e Using evidence	207	(1)
f Reaching your readers	208	(4)
g Organizing your argument	212	(1)
h Revising your argument	213	(1)
i EXAMINING A SAMPLE ARGUMENT	214	(5)
11 Reading and Using Visual Arguments	219	(12)
a Reading visual arguments critically	219	(6)
b Using visual arguments effectively	225	(6)
PART 3 Grammatical Sentences	231	(102)
12 Understanding Sentence Grammar	232	(35)
a Understanding the basic sentence	233	(9)
b Expanding the basic sentence with single words	242	(2)
c Expanding the basic sentence with word groups	244	(14)
d Compounding words, phrases, and clauses	258	(5)
e Changing the usual word order	263	(2)
f Classifying sentences	265	(2)
13 Case of Nouns and Pronouns	267	(8)
a Compound subjects and complements	268	(1)
b Compound objects	269	(1)
c We or us with a noun	270	(1)
d Appositives	270	(1)
e Pronoun after than or as in a comparison	271	(1)
f Subjects and objects of infinitives	271	(1)
g Who vs. whom	271	(3)
h Case before a gerund	274	(1)
14 Verbs	275	(30)
Verb Forms	275	(17)
a Regular and irregular verbs	278	(3)
b Sit and set; lie and lay; rise and raise	281	(1)
c Omitted -s and -ed endings	282	(1)
d Helping verbs	283	(5)
e Verb plus gerund or infinitive	288	(3)
f Verb plus particle	291	(1)
Tense	292	(7)
g Appropriate tense for meaning	294	(2)
h Sequence of tenses	296	(3)
Mood	299	(3)
i Subjunctive verb forms	300	(2)
Voice	302	(3)
j Active vs. passive voice	303	(2)
15 Agreement	305	(14)
a Agreement between subject and verb	305	(8)
bAgreement between pronoun and antecedent	313	(6)
16 Adjectives and Adverbs	319	(14)
a Adjectives only with nouns and pronouns	320	(1)
b Adjectives after linking verbs	320	(1)
c Adjectives with objects; adverbs with verbs	321	(1)
d Comparative and superlative forms	322	(2)
e Double negatives	324	(1)
f Overuse of nouns as modifiers	325	(1)
g Present and past participles as adjectives	325	(1)
h A, an, the, and other determiners	326	(7)
PART 4 Clear Sentences	333	(50)
17 Sentence Fragments	334	(8)
a Tests for sentence completeness; revision of fragments	334	(4)
b Subordinate clause	338	(1)
c Verbal or prepositional phrase	338	(1)
d Other fragments	339	(2)
e Acceptable uses of incomplete sentences	341	(1)
18 Comma Splices and Fused Sentences	342	(8)
Comma Splices	344	(4)
a clauses not joined by coordinating conjunction	344	(2)
b Main clauses related by a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression	346	(2)
Fused Sentences	348	(2)
c Main clauses with no conjunction or punctuation	348	(2)
19 Pronoun Reference	350	(7)
a Clear reference to one antecedent	350	(2)
b Clear placement of pronoun and antecedent	352	(1)
c Reference to specific antecedent	353	(1)
d Indefinite use of it and they	354	(1)
e Indefinite use of you	354	(1)
f Clear use of it	355	(1)
g Appropriate use of relative pronouns	355	(2)
20 Shifts	357	(7)
a Person and number	358	(1)
b Tense and mood	359	(2)
c Subject and voice	361	(1)
d Indirect and direct quotations and questions	362	(2)
21 Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers	364	(10)
Misplaced Modifiers	364	(6)
a Clear placement of modifiers	364	(1)
b Limiting modifiers	365	(1)
c Squinting modifiers	366	(1)
d Separation of subjects, verbs, and objects	367	(1)
e Separation of parts of infinitives or verb phrases	367	(1)
f Position of adverbs	368	(1)
g Order of adjectives	369	(1)
Dangling Modifiers	370	(4)
h Dangling modifiers	370	(4)
22 Mixed and Incomplete Sentences	374	(9)
Mixed Sentences	374	(4)
a Mixed grammar	374	(2)
b Mixed meaning (faulty predication)	376	(2)
Incomplete Sentences	378	(6)
c Compound constructions	378	(1)
d Comparisons	379	(1)
e Careless omissions	380	(3)
PART 5 Effective Sentences	383	(40)
23 Emphasizing Ideas	384	(10)
a Using subjects and verbs effectively	384	(2)
b Using sentence beginnings and endings	386	(3)
c Arranging parallel elements effectively	389	(1)
d Repeating ideas	390	(1)
e Separating ideas	391	(1)
f Being concise	392	(2)
24 Using Coordination and Subordination	394	(11)
a Coordinaing to relate equal ideas	395	(3)
b Subordinating to distinguish main ideas	398	(5)
c Choosing clear connectors	403	(2)
25 Using Parallelism	405	(67)
a Using parallelism for coordinate elements	406	(4)
b Using parallelism to increase coherence	410	(62)
26 Achieving Variety	472
a Varying sentence length and structure	413	(2)
b Varying sentence beginnings	415	(3)
c Inverting the normal word order	418	(1)
d Mixing types of sentences	418	(5)
PART 6 Punctuation	423	(66)
Chart	424	(2)
27 End Punctuation	426	(4)
a The period	426	(1)
b The question mark	427	(1)
c The exclamation point	428	(2)
28 The Comma	430	(22)
a Main clauses linked by coordinating conjunction	432	(1)
b Introductory elements	433	(2)
c Nonessential elements	435	(5)
d Absolute phrases	440	(1)
e Phrases expressing contrast	441	(1)
f Series and coordinate adjectives	441	(2)
g Dates, addresses, place names, long numbers	443	(1)
h With quotations	444	(3)
i To prevent misreading	447	(1)
j Misuse and overuse	448	(4)
29 The Semicolon	452	(9)
a Main clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction	452	(3)
b Main clauses related by a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression	455	(2)
c Long or internally punctuated main clauses	457	(1)
d Long or internally punctuated series items	457	(1)
e Misuse and overuse	458	(3)
30 The Apostrophe	461	(7)
a Posessive case	461	(3)
b Misuse with noun plurals, verbs, and personal pronouns	464	(1)
c Contractions	465	(2)
d Plurals of abbreviations, dates, and words or characters named as words	467	(1)
31 Quotation Marks	468	(9)
Chart	469	(1)
a Direct quotations	470	(1)
b Quotation within a quotation	471	(1)
c Dialog	471	(1)
d Titles of songs, short stories, etc.	472	(1)
e Words used in a special sense	473	(1)
f Overuse	473	(1)
g Placement with other punctuation marks	474	(3)
32 Other Punctuation Marks	477	(12)
a The colon	477	(3)
b The dash	480	(2)
c Parentheses	482	(1)
d Brackets	483	(1)
e The ellipsis mark	484	(3)
f The slash	487	(2)
PART 7 Mechanics	489	(20)
33 Capitals	490	(6)
a First word of a sentence	490	(1)
b Titles of works	491	(1)
c Pronoun I and interjection O	492	(1)
d Proper nouns and adjectives	492	(2)
e Titles before proper names	494	(1)
f Misuses of capitals	494	(2)
34 Underlining or Italics	496	(4)
a Underlining vs. italics	496	(1)
b Titles of books and periodicals	497	(1)
c Names of ships, aircraft, spacecraft, trains	498	(1)
d Foreign words and phrases	498	(1)
e Words, letters, and numbers named as words	498	(1)
f For emphasis	498	(1)
g In online communication	499	(1)
35 Abbreviations	500	(4)
a Titles before and after proper names	500	(1)
b Familiar abbreviations and acronyms	501	(1)
c BC, BCE, AD, CE, AM, PM, no., and $	502	(1)
d Latin abbreviations	503	(1)
e Inc., Bros., Co., and &	503	(1)
f Misuse with units of measurement, geographical names, and so on	504	(1)
36 Numbers ,	,504
a Numerals vs. words	504	(1)
b For dates, addresses, etc.	505	(1)
c Beginning sentences	506	(3)
PART 8 Effective Words	509	(48)
37 Using Appropriate Language	510	(8)
a Revising nonstandard dialect	511	(1)
b Using regionalisms only when appropriate	512	(1)
c Using slang only when appropriate	512	(1)
d Using colloquial language only when appropriate	512	(1)
e Revising neologisms	513	(1)
f Using technical words with care	513	(1)
g Revising indirect or pretentious writing	513	(1)
h Revising sexist and other biased language	514	(4)
38 Using Exact Language	518	(11)
a Using the right word for your meaning	519	(2)
b Balancing the abstract and concrete, the general and specific	521	(2)
c Using idioms	523	(2)
d Using figurative language	525	(2)
e Using fresh expressions	527	(2)
39 Writing Concisely	529	(7)
a Focusing on subject and verb	529	(2)
b Cutting or shortening empty words and phrases	531	(1)
c Cutting unnecessary repetition	532	(2)
d Reducing clauses to phrases, phrases to single words	534	(1)
e Eliminating there is and it is constructions	534	(1)
f Combining sentences	535	(1)
g Rewriting jargon	535	(1)
40 Using Dictionaries	536	(6)
a Choosing a dictionary	536	(2)
b Working with a dictionary's contents	538	(4)
41 Spelling and the Hyphen	542	(15)
a Recognizing typical spelling problems	542	(3)
b Following spelling rules	545	(4)
c Developing spelling skills	549	(5)
d Using the hyphen to form or divide words	554	(3)
PART 9 Research Writing	557	(174)
42 Planning Research Project	558	(13)
a Starting out	559	(1)
b Finding a researchable subject and question	560	(4)
c Developing a research strategy	564	(3)
d Making a working, annotated bibliography	567	(4)
43 Finding Sources	571	(28)
a Searching electronically	571	(4)
b Finding reference works	575	(4)
c Finding books	579	(2)
d Finding periodicals	581	(7)
e Finding sources on the Web	588	(4)
f Finding other online sources	592	(2)
g Finding government publications	594	(1)
h Finding images	594	(2)
i Generating your own sources	596	(3)
44 Working with Sources	599	(30)
a Evaluating sources	599	(11)
b Synthesizing sources	610	(3)
c Mining and interacting with sources	613	(4)
d Using summary, paraphrase, and quotation	617	(6)
e Integrating sources into your text	623	(6)
45 Avoiding Plagiarism and Documenting Sources	629	(9)
a Committing and detecting plagiarism on the Internet	631	(1)
b Knowing what you need not acknowledge	632	(1)
c Knowing what you must acknowledge	633	(2)
d Using and acknowledging online sources	635	(2)
e Documenting sources	637	(1)
46 Writing the Paper	638	(9)
a Developing a thesis statement	639	(1)
b Creating a structure	640	(3)
c Drafting the paper	643	(2)
d Revising and editing the paper	645	(1)
e Preparing and proofreading the final draft	646	(1)
47 Using MLA Documentation and Format	647	(42)
a Using MLA in-text citations	648	(8)
b Preparing the MLA list of works cited	656	(31)
c Using MLA document format	687	(2)
48 Two Research Papers in MLA Style	689	(42)
"CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE"	690	(35)
"ANNIE DILLARD'S HEALING VISION"	725	(6)
PART 10 Writing in the Academic Disciplines	731	(94)
49 Working with the Goals and Requirements of the Disciplines	732	(3)
a Using methods and evidence	732	(1)
b Understanding writing assignments	733	(1)
c Using tools and language	733	(1)
d Following styles for source citations and document format	734	(1)
50 Reading and Writing About Literature
a Using the methods and evidence of literary analysis	735	(8)
b Understanding writing assignments in literature	743	(1)
c Using the tools and language of literary analysis	744	(1)
d Citing sources and formatting documents in writing about literature	745	(1)
e Drafting and revising a literary analysis	746	(5)
SAMPLE ANALYSIS OF A SHORT STORY	750	(1)
f Writing about fiction, poetry, and drama	751	(8)
SAMPLE ANALYSIS OF A POEM	754	(2)
SAMPLE ANALYSIS OF A PLAY	756	(3)
51 Writing in Other Humanities	759	(19)
a Using the methods and evidence of the humanities	759	(1)
b Understanding writing assignments in the humanities	760	(1)
c Using the tools and language of the humanities	760	(4)
d Citing sources in Chicago style	764	(11)
e Formatting documents in Chicago style	775	(3)
52 Writing in the Social Sciences	778	(29)
a Using the methods and evidence of the social sciences	778	(1)
b Understanding writing assignments in the social sciences	779	(1)
c Using the tools and language of the social sciences	780	(4)
d Citing sources in APA style	784	(16)
e Formatting documents in APA style	800	(3)
f EXAMINING A SAMPLE SOCIAL SCIENCE PAPER	803	(4)
53 Writing in the Natural and Applied Sciences	807	(18)
a Using the methods and evidence of the sciences	807	(1)
b Understanding writing assignments in the sciences	808	(1)
c Using the tools and language of the sciences	809	(3)
d Citing sources in CSE style	812	(8)
e Formatting documents in CSE style	820	(1)
f EXAMINING A SAMPLE SCIENCE PAPER	820	(5)
PART 11 Special Writing Situations	825	(39)
54 Writing Online	826	(13)
a Writing effective electronic mail	826	(3)
b Collaborating online	829	(3)
c Creating effective Web compositions	832	(7)
55 Public Writing	839	(16)
a Writing business letters and memos	840	(5)
SAMPLE LETTER AND MEMO	840	(5)
b Writing a job application	845	(3)
SAMPLE LETTER AND RÉSUMÉS	846	(2)
c Writing reports and proposals	848	(3)
SAMPLE REPORT AND PROPOSAL	850	(1)
d Writing for community work	851	(4)
SAMPLE FLYER, NEWSLETTER, AND BROCHURE	852	(3)
56 Oral Presentations	855	(9)
a Writing and speaking	855	(1)
b Considering purpose and audience	855	(2)
c Organizing the presentation	857	(1)
d Delivering the presentation	858	(6)
Glossary of Usage	864	(17)
Glossary of Terms	881	(26)
Index	907