Simon & Schuster Quick Access Reference for Writers/Mla 98 Update/Combined Edition

by Troyka, Lynn Quitman

• ISBN13: 9780130965967
• ISBN10: 0130965960
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-07-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

This quick reference handbook offers the same user-friendly approach widely hailed in Troyka's other best-selling handbooks -- with additional features that allow writers to access information quickly. Additional content on such topics as critical thinking and grammar basics, makes this an even more complete manual. Coverage includes the writing process itself; thinking and reading reflectively; grammar basics; effective sentences and words; punctuation; spelling and mechanics; research writing; MLA, APA, CM, and CBE documentation; and tips for multilingual writers.

Table of Contents

Divider Directory	i
QA Box List	ii
Preface	xxv
How to Use Your Quick Access
What's in This Book	xxxi
Using dividers to get information	xxxi
Using lists to get information	xxxii
Using codes to find information	xxxiii
Using special features to help you understand	xxxiv
Understanding editing and proofreading marks	xxxiv
Hands-On Practice Using Your Quick Access	xxxvi
Learning where to look for what you need to know	xxxvi
Solving problems	xxxvii
Learning to use documentation models	xxxvii
Answers	xxxviii
Writing Process
Getting Started	1	(7)
Making preliminary decisions	1	(1)
Understanding the writing process	2	(1)
Choosing a writing topic	3	(1)
Narrowing a topic	3	(1)
Uncovering ideas for writing	3	(1)
Keeping a Journal	3	(1)
Freewriting	4	(1)
Brainstorming	4	(1)
Asking and Answering Questions	4	(1)
Clustering	5	(1)
Planning a thesis statement	5	(1)
Outlining	6	(2)
Drafting	8	(2)
Writing a first draft	8	(1)
Overcoming writer's block	9	(1)
Drafting on a computer	9	(1)
Writing answers for essay exams	10	(1)
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading	10	(5)
Knowing how to revise	10	(1)
Using the organizing power of your thesis statement and essay title	11	(1)
Revising on a computer	11	(1)
Using revision checklists	12	(1)
Knowing how to edit	13	(1)
Using an editing checklist	14	(1)
Knowing how to proofread	15	(1)
Using a computer to edit and proofread	15	(1)
Rhetorical Strategies for Paragraphs	15	(11)
Writing introductory paragraphs	16	(1)
Writing effective body paragraphs	17	(1)
Writing and using topic sentences	17	(1)
Starting with a Topic Sentence	17	(1)
Ending with a Topic Sentence	17	(1)
Implying a Topic Sentence	18	(1)
Using details to develop body paragraphs	18	(1)
Crafting coherent paragraphs	19	(1)
Using Transitional Expressions	19	(1)
Using Deliberate Repetition and Parallelism	20	(1)
Using patterns for body paragraphs	20	(1)
Narration (Telling a Story)	20	(1)
Description (Picturing in Words)	21	(1)
Process (Giving Instructions or Advice)	21	(1)
Example (Giving Illustrations)	21	(1)
Definition (Giving the Meaning)	22	(1)
Comparison and Contrast (Explaining Likenesses and Differences	22	(1)
Analysis and Classification (Dividing into Parts and Grouping)	23	(1)
Analogy (Finding Unusual Similarities)	24	(1)
Cause-and-Effect Analysis (Discovering Reasons and Results)	24	(1)
Writing concluding paragraphs	25	(1)
Essay Arrangements	26	(5)
Typical arrangements in essays with an informative purpose	26	(1)
Typical arrangements in essays with a persuasive purpose	26	(1)
A sample student essay	27	(4)
Thinking and Reading Critically
Reading Critically	31	(5)
Understanding the reading process	31	(1)
Engaging in the reading process	31	(1)
Reading for Literal Meaning	32	(1)
Reading to Make Inferences	33	(1)
Reading to Evaluate	33	(1)
Engaging in critical reading	34	(1)
Reading Systematically	34	(1)
Reading Actively and Closely	35	(1)
Thinking Critically	36	(8)
Understanding critical thinking	37	(1)
Engaging in critical thinking	37	(1)
Assessing evidence critically	38	(1)
Evaluating Evidence	38	(1)
Assessing cause and effect critically	39	(1)
Assessing reasoning processes critically	40	(1)
Recognizing and avoiding logical fallacies	41	(3)
Distinguishing Between Summary and Synthesis	44	(3)
Understanding summary	44	(1)
Understanding synthesis	45	(1)
Synthesizing	45	(2)
Grammar Basics
Parts of Speech	47	(6)
Recognizing nouns	47	(1)
Recognizing pronouns	48	(1)
Recognizing verbs	48	(1)
Recognizing verbals	49	(1)
Recognizing adjectives	49	(1)
Recognizing adverbs	50	(1)
Recognizing prepositions	51	(1)
Recognizing conjunctions	51	(2)
Recognizing interjections	53	(1)
Sentence Structures	53	(7)
Recognizing subjects and predicates	53	(1)
Recognizing direct and indirect objects	54	(1)
Recognizing complements, modifiers, and appositives	55	(1)
Recognizing Complements	55	(1)
Recognizing Modifiers	55	(1)
Recognizing Appositives	56	(1)
Recognizing phrases	56	(1)
Recognizing clauses	57	(1)
Recognizing Independent Clauses	57	(1)
Recognizing Dependent Clauses	57	(2)
Recognizing sentence types	59	(1)
Verbs	60	(10)
Recognizing forms of main verbs	61	(1)
Using the -s Form	62	(1)
Using Regular and Irregular Verbs	62	(2)
Using auxiliary verbs	64	(1)
Using lie and lay	65	(1)
Understanding verb tense	66	(1)
Using the Simple Present Tense	66	(1)
Using Accurate Tense Sequences	67	(1)
Understanding the indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods	68	(1)
Using the Subjunctive with if, as if, as though, and unless Clauses	68	(1)
Using the Subjunctive in that Clauses	69	(1)
Using active and passive voices	69	(1)
Subject-Verb Agreement	70	(5)
Ignoring words between a subject and verb	71	(1)
Using one of the	71	(1)
Using the correct verb for subjects connected by and	71	(1)
Using each and every	72	(1)
Making a verb agree with the nearest subject	72	(1)
Making verbs agree with pronoun subjects	72	(1)
Using Singular Verbs with Most Indefinite Pronouns	72	(1)
Making Verbs Agree with the Antecedents of who, which, and that	73	(1)
Using one of the...who	73	(1)
Making verbs agree with subjects in inverted sentences, in expletive constructions, and in sentences containing subject complements	73	(1)
Finding the Subject in Inverted Word Order	73	(1)
Finding the Subject in an Expletive Construction	74	(1)
Agreeing with the Subject, Not the Subject Complement	74	(1)
Making verbs agree with collective nouns, with nouns that specify amounts, with singular subjects in plural form, and with titles and terms	74	(1)
Making Verbs Agree with Collective Nouns	74	(1)
Making Verbs Agree with Subjects That Specify Amounts	74	(1)
Making Verbs Agree with Singular Subjects in Plural Form	75	(1)
Using Singular Verbs with Titles and Terms	75	(1)
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement	75	(3)
Using plural pronouns for antecedents joined by and	76	(1)
Agreeing with the nearest antecedent	76	(1)
Agreeing with indefinite-pronoun antecedents	77	(1)
Agreeing with collective-noun antecedents	77	(1)
Pronoun Reference	78	(2)
Avoiding unclear pronoun reference	78	(1)
Avoiding adjectives as antecedents	79	(1)
Using it, that, this, and which precisely	79	(1)
Using you for direct address only	79	(1)
Using who, which, and that	79	(1)
Pronoun Case	80	(4)
Using accurate pronoun case in compound subjects and objects	80	(1)
Matching the case of pronouns and nouns in appositives	81	(1)
Using the subjective case after linking verbs	82	(1)
Using who, whoever, whom, and whomever	82	(1)
Using accurate case after than and as	83	(1)
Using pronouns with infinitives and gerunds	83	(1)
Using -self pronouns	84	(1)
Adjectives and Adverbs	84	(5)
Using adverbs---not adjectives---to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs	85	(1)
Avoiding double negatives	85	(1)
Using adjectives---not adverbs---as complements after linking verbs	85	(1)
Using bad and badly	86	(1)
Using good and well	86	(1)
Using correct comparative and superlative forms	86	(1)
Using Correct Regular Forms	86	(1)
Using Correct Irregular Forms	87	(1)
Avoiding too many nouns as modifiers	87	(2)
Correct Sentences
Sentence Fragments	89	(3)
Checking for sentence completeness	89	(1)
Revising dependent clauses punctuated as sentences	89	(1)
Revising phrases punctuated as sentences	90	(2)
Being aware of intentional fragments	92	(1)
Comma Splices and Fused Sentences	92	(3)
Recognizing causes of comma splices and fused sentences	92	(1)
Correcting comma splices and fused sentences	93	(1)
Using Punctuation	93	(1)
Using a Coordinating Conjunction	94	(1)
Revising an Independent Clause into a Dependent Clause	94	(1)
Taking Special Care with Conjunctive Adverbs and Other Transitional Expressions	95	(1)
Sentence Shifts and Disjointed Sentences	95	(6)
Staying consistent in number and person	96	(1)
Staying consistent in subject, voice, and mood	97	(1)
Staying consistent in verb tense	97	(1)
Staying consistent in indirect and direct discourse	98	(1)
Revising mixed sentences	98	(1)
Avoiding Scrambled Sentences	98	(1)
Avoiding Faulty Prediction	99	(1)
Avoiding is where, is when, and reason...is because	99	(1)
Using care with elliptical constructions and comparisons	100	(1)
Completing as much as and Similar Phrases	101	(1)
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers	101	(4)
Avoiding ambiguous placements	101	(1)
Taking Care with only	101	(1)
Avoiding Squinting Modifiers	102	(1)
Avoiding wrong placements	102	(1)
Avoiding split infinitives and other awkward placements	102	(1)
Avoiding dangling modifiers	103	(2)
Effective Sentences and Words
Conciseness	105	(4)
Eliminating unneeded words	105	(1)
Avoiding redundancies	106	(1)
Eliminating wordy sentence structures	107	(1)
Revising unneccesary expletive constructions	107	(1)
Revising from passive to active constructions	107	(1)
Reducing sentences	107	(1)
Combining Sentences	108	(1)
Reducing Clauses	108	(1)
Reducing Phrases	108	(1)
Using strong verbs and avoiding nouns formed from verbs	108	(1)
Coordination and Subordination	109	(3)
Using coordination to show relationships of equivalent ideas	109	(1)
Avoiding coordination problems	109	(1)
Using subordination to show relationships of nonequivalent ideas	110	(1)
Avoiding subordination problems	111	(1)
Sentence Style	112	(4)
Using parallelism for balance and rhythm	112	(1)
Using Parallel Words, Phrases, and Clauses	112	(1)
Using Parallel Structures with Conjunctions	113	(1)
Using Parallel Structures and Repetition	114	(1)
Using a variety of sentence lengths	114	(1)
Revising Strings of Short Sentences	114	(1)
Revising Overcompounded Sentences	114	(1)
Revising for a Mix of Sentence Lengths	115	(1)
Choosing sentence subjects for emphasis	115	(1)
Adding modifiers to basic sentences for variety and emphasis	116	(1)
Inverting standard word order for variety and emphasis	116	(1)
Word Meanings and Word Impact	116	(7)
Learning about words and their meanings	116	(1)
Choosing exact words	117	(1)
Understanding Denotation and Connotation	117	(1)
Using Specific and Concrete Language	118	(1)
Increasing your vocabulary	118	(1)
Understanding Word Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes	119	(1)
Using appropriate language	119	(1)
Understanding Levels of Formality	119	(1)
Using Edited American English	120	(1)
Understanding When to Avoid Slang and Colloquial or Regional Language	120	(1)
Using figurative language	121	(1)
Avoiding Mixed Metaphors	121	(1)
Avoiding cliches	121	(1)
Using precise language	121	(1)
Avoiding Slanted Language	122	(1)
Avoiding Pretentious Language	122	(1)
Avoiding Unnecessary Jargon	122	(1)
Avoiding Euphemisms	122	(1)
Gender-Neutral Language	123	(2)
Understanding gender in the English language	123	(1)
Using gender-neutral language	123	(2)
Punctuation
End Punctuation	125	(1)
Using a period after statements, mild commands, and indirect questions	125	(1)
Using a question mark after a direct question	125	(1)
Using an exclamation point for a strong command or an emphatic declaration	125	(1)
Comma Use	126	(9)
Using commas before coordinating conjunctions linking independent clauses	128	(1)
Using commas to set off introductory clauses, phrases, and words	129	(1)
Using commas with items in series	129	(1)
Using commas between coordinate adjectives	130	(1)
Using commas to set off nonrestrictive (nonessential) elements	131	(1)
Using commas to set off transitional and parenthetical words, contrasts, words of direct address, and tag questions	132	(1)
Using commas with quoted words	133	(1)
Using commas in dates, names, addresses, and numbers	133	(1)
Commas with Dates	133	(1)
Commas with Names, Places, and Addresses	134	(1)
Commas in Letter Openings and Closings	134	(1)
Commas with Numbers	134	(1)
Using commas to avoid misreadings	135	(1)
Comma Misuse	135	(3)
Not misusing commas with coordinating conjunctions	135	(1)
Not using commas after subordinating conjunctions and prepositions	136	(1)
Not misusing commas with items in series	136	(1)
Not using commas between cumulative adjectives	136	(1)
Not using commas around restrictive (essential) elements	136	(1)
Not misusing commas with quoted words	137	(1)
Not using commas between certain sentence structures and words	137	(1)
Semicolon Use	138	(2)
Using a semicolon between closely related independent clauses	138	(1)
Using a semicolon when a conjunctive adverb or other transitional expression links independent clauses	139	(1)
Using semicolons for clarity between comma-containing structures	139	(1)
Not misusing semicolons	139	(1)
Colon Use	140	(2)
Using a colon when an independent clause introduces a list, an appositive, or a quotation	140	(1)
Using a colon between independent clauses when the second clause explains or summarizes the first	140	(1)
Understanding conventional uses of colons	141	(1)
Not misusing colons	141	(1)
Apostrophe Use	142	(2)
Using an apostrophe to show that a noun is possessive	142	(1)
Adding -'s to Nouns Not Ending in -s	142	(1)
Adding-'s to Singular Nouns Ending in -s	142	(1)
Adding Only an Apostrophe to Plural Nouns Ending in -s	142	(1)
Adding -'s to the Last Word in Compound Words and Phrases	142	(1)
Adding -'s to Each Noun in Individual Possession	142	(1)
Adding -'s to Only the Last Noun in Joint or Group Possession	142	(1)
Using -'s to show that an indefinite pronoun is possessive	143	(1)
Using an apostrophe to signal omissions in contractions	143	(1)
Using -'s to show plurals of letters, numerals, symbols, and words used as terms	143	(1)
Not misusing apostrophes	143	(1)
Quotation Marks	144	(4)
Using quotation marks accurately with direct quotations of prose, poetry, and speech	144	(1)
Using Quotation Marks for Short Quotations of Prose or Poetry	144	(1)
Setting Long Quotations of Prose or Poetry Off from Your Words	145	(1)
Using Quotation Marks for Spoken Words (Direct Discourse)	145	(1)
Knowing when to use single quotation marks	146	(1)
Using quotation marks for some titles	146	(1)
Using quotation marks accurately for special treatment of words, letters, and numerals	146	(1)
Not misusing quotation marks	147	(1)
Using other punctuation accurately with quotation marks	148	(1)
Placing Commas and Periods Inside Closing Quotation Marks	148	(1)
Placing Colons and Semicolons Outside Closing Quotation Marks	148	(1)
Positioning Question Marks, Exclamation Points, and Dashes	148	(1)
Other Punctuation Marks	148	(7)
Knowing when to use the dash	148	(1)
Adding Information with Dashes	149	(1)
Knowing when to use parentheses	149	(1)
Adding Information in Parentheses	150	(1)
Using Other Punctuation with Parentheses	150	(1)
Knowing when to use brackets	151	(1)
Knowing when to use the ellipsis	151	(2)
Knowing when to use the slash	153	(2)
Spelling and Mechanics
Spelling	155	(7)
Knowing rules for spelling plurals, adding suffixes, and spelling ie, ei words	155	(1)
Spelling Plurals	155	(1)
Spelling Suffixes	156	(1)
Using the ie, ei Rule	156	(1)
Spelling homonyms and other commonly confused words	157	(5)
Hyphens	162	(2)
Knowing how to hyphenate at the end of a line	162	(1)
Knowing when to hyphenate prefixes, suffixes, compound words, and numbers	162	(2)
Capitals	164	(4)
Capitalizing at the start of a sentence and other sentencelike structures	164	(1)
After a Colon	165	(1)
A Series of Questions	165	(1)
Listed Items	165	(1)
Inside Parentheses	165	(1)
Knowing when to capitalize the first letter of a quotation	166	(1)
Capitalizing proper nouns and proper adjectives	166	(1)
Knowing when to capitalize names and terms	167	(1)
Italics or Underlining	168	(2)
Knowing when to use italics (or underlining)	169	(1)
Using italics (or underlining) for emphasis	170	(1)
Abbreviations	170	(3)
Knowing when and how to use abbreviations	170	(1)
Abbreviating Specific Times, Measurements, and Amounts	170	(1)
Abbreviating Titles	171	(1)
Abbreviating Names and Terms	172	(1)
Abbreviating Addresses	172	(1)
Knowing when to use etc. and other Latin abbreviations	173	(1)
Numbers	173	(2)
Knowing when to use spelled-out numbers	173	(1)
Knowing when to use numerals	174	(1)
Research Writing
Starting a Research Project	175	(2)
Scheduling for research writing	175	(1)
Keeping a research log	176	(1)
Choosing a topic for research	176	(1)
Finding and Evaluating Sources	177	(5)
Using a search strategy	177	(1)
Undertaking Field Research	178	(1)
Researching in the Library	178	(1)
Evaluating sources	179	(1)
Determining your documentation style	180	(1)
Creating a working bibliography	180	(1)
Taking useful notes	180	(2)
Using Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism	182	(9)
Avoiding plagiarism	182	(1)
Integrating sources into your writing	183	(1)
Analysis and Synthesis	183	(1)
Using quotations effectively	183	(1)
Making Quotations Mesh with Your Sentences	184	(1)
Integrating Author Names and Source Titles	185	(1)
Paraphrasing accurately	186	(1)
Summarizing accurately	186	(4)
Using verbs to mesh source material with your sentences	190	(1)
Drafting and Revising a Research Paper	191	(2)
MLA Documentation
MLA In-Text Citations	193	(6)
Citing sources in the body of a paper in MLA style	193	(1)
Citing specific sources in MLA style	193	(1)
One Author---MLA	194	(1)
Two or Three Authors---MLA	194	(1)
More than Three Authors---MLA	194	(1)
More than One Source by an Author---MLA	195	(1)
Two or More Authors with the Same Last Name---MLA	195	(1)
Group or Corporate Author---MLA	195	(1)
Work Cited by Title---MLA	195	(1)
Multivolume Work---MLA	196	(1)
Novel, Play, Poem---MLA	196	(1)
Work in an Anthology or Other Collection---MLA	196	(1)
Indirect Source---MLA	197	(1)
Two or More Sources in One Reference---MLA	197	(1)
An Entire Work---MLA	197	(1)
An Electronic Source with a Name or Title and Page Numbers---MLA	198	(1)
An Electronic Source with Paragraph Numbers---MLA	198	(1)
An Electronic Source Without Page or Paragraph Numbers---MLA	198	(1)
Using content or bibliographic notes in MLA style	198	(1)
MLA Documentation for a Works Cited List	199	(16)
Understanding details about a Works Cited list	200	(2)
Using sample Works Cited models in MLA style	202	(1)
Directory of 52 Types of Print, Nonprint, and Electronic Sample Works Cited Models in MLA Style	203	(12)
A Student's MLA Research Paper	215	(10)
Preparing your research paper using MLA format guidelines	215	(1)
General Instructions---MLA	215	(1)
Order of Parts---MLA	216	(1)
Name-and-Page-Number Line for All Pages---MLA	216	(1)
First Page---MLA	216	(1)
Set-Off Quotations---MLA	217	(1)
Notes---MLA	217	(1)
Works Cited List---MLA	217	(1)
Reading a sample research paper that uses MLA documentation	218	(7)
APA, CM, CBE Documentation
APA In-Text Citations	225	(7)
Understanding details about APA style	225	(1)
Formating Quotations	226	(1)
Citing specific kinds of sources in APA style	226	(1)
One Author---APA	227	(1)
Two or More Authors---APA	227	(1)
Author(s) with Two or More Works in the Same Year---APA	227	(1)
Two or More Authors with the Same Last Name---APA	228	(1)
Group or Corporate Author---APA	228	(1)
Works Cited by Title---APA	228	(1)
Reference to More Than One Source---APA	228	(1)
Citing Graphics and Table Data---APA	228	(1)
Writing an abstract for an APA-style paper	229	(1)
Using content notes in an APA-style paper	229	(1)
Preparing your research paper using APA format guidelines	230	(1)
General Instructions---APA	230	(1)
Order of Parts---APA	230	(1)
Title-and-Page-Number Line for All Pages---APA	230	(1)
Title Page---APA	230	(1)
Abstract---APA	231	(1)
Set-Off Quotations---APA	231	(1)
References List---APA	231	(1)
Notes---APA	232	(1)
APA Documentation for a References List	232	(11)
Understanding details about the References list	232	(2)
Using sample References models in APA style	234	(1)
Directory of 44 Types of Print, Nonprint, and Electronic Sample References Models in APA Style	234	(9)
CM-Style Documentation	243	(12)
Understanding details about CM documentation with bibliographic notes	243	(2)
Using sample note forms in CM style	245	(1)
Directory of 39 Types of Print, Nonprint, and Electronic Sample Bibliographic Note Models in CM Style	246	(8)
Using and Citing Graphics---CM	254	(1)
CBE-Style Documentation	255	(8)
Understanding details about CBE documentation	255	(2)
Using sample References forms in CBE style	257	(1)
Directory of 24 Types of Print, Nonprint, and Electronic Sample References, Models in CBE Style	257	(6)
Focus on ESL
Singulars and Plurals	263	(3)
Understanding count and noncount nouns	263	(1)
Knowing which determiners to use with singular and plural nouns	264	(1)
Using correct forms for nouns used as adjectives	265	(1)
Articles	266	(3)
Understanding how to use a, an, or the with singular count nouns	266	(1)
Understanding how to use articles with plural count nouns and with noncount nouns	266	(2)
Plural Count Nouns	268	(1)
Noncount Nouns	268	(1)
Generalizations with Plural or Noncount Nouns	268	(1)
Understanding how to use the with proper nouns	268	(1)
Word Order	269	(2)
Understanding standard and inverted word order in sentences	269	(1)
Understanding the placement of adjectives	269	(1)
Understanding the placement of adverbs	270	(1)
Prepositions	271	(2)
Understanding the use of in, at, and on to show time and place	271	(1)
Understanding the use of prepositions in phrasal verbs	272	(1)
Using prepositions in common expressions	272	(1)
Gerunds and Infinitives	273	(4)
Recognizing verbs that use a gerund, not an infinitive, object	273	(1)
Using a Gerund After go	273	(1)
Using Gerunds After be + Complement + Preposition	274	(1)
Recognizing verbs that use an infinitive, not a gerund, object	274	(1)
Using Infinitives After be + Complement	275	(1)
Using Unmarked Infinitive Objects	275	(1)
Understanding how meaning changes depending on whether gerund or infinitive objects follow stop, remember, and forget	275	(1)
Understanding that certain sense verbs use gerund and infinitive objects without changing meaning	276	(1)
Choosing between -ing and -ed forms for adjectives	276	(1)
Modal Auxiliary Verbs	277	(4)
Using modal auxiliary verbs to convey ability, necessity, advisability, and probability	278	(1)
Conveying Ability	278	(1)
Conveying Necessity	278	(1)
Conveying Advisability or the Notion of a Good Idea	278	(1)
Conveying Probability	278	(1)
Using modal auxiliary verbs to convey preference, plan, and past habit	279	(1)
Conveying Preferences	279	(1)
Conveying Plan or Obligation	279	(1)
Conveying Past Habit	279	(2)
Usage Glossary	281	(18)
Terms Glossary	299	(24)
Index	323	(31)
Online Research Basics	354	(1)
Finding Online Sources	354	(2)
Evaluating Online Sources	356	(1)
Documenting Online Sources	357