A Writer's Reference

by Hacker, Diana; Sommers, Nancy

• ISBN13: 9781319169404
• ISBN10: 1319169406
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781319332969
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780312601430, 9781319057442, 9781319083533, 9781457666766
• Edition: 10th
• Format: Spiral Bound
• Copyright: 2020-09-10
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

About This Book

A Writer's Reference, 10th Edition

ISBN: 9781319169404

A Writer's Reference is a trusted resource for students and educators alike, offering clear and practical advice on various aspects of writing. This comprehensive guide has been a go-to for many in the academic community, helping users navigate the challenges of writing with ease.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, this book is used by students and instructors in college-level writing courses. It is also a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their writing skills, including professionals who need to refresh their knowledge or expand their understanding of effective writing techniques.

History and Editions

The 10th edition of A Writer's Reference has been updated to address user feedback, incorporating the latest research and discussions on writing best practices. This edition includes detailed updates on grammar, style, and citation guidelines, ensuring that it remains current and relevant. The book has been a staple in educational resources for over two decades, with each edition building upon the previous one to provide a robust foundation in writing skills.

Author and Other Works

Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers are the authors of A Writer's Reference. Diana Hacker is renowned for her ability to explain complex writing concepts clearly and simply, making her a beloved figure in the world of educational writing resources. Nancy Sommers brings her expertise in teaching writing to the text, ensuring that it remains practical and accessible.

Key Features

• Clear How-to Boxes: The book includes clear how-to boxes that help users complete common writing assignments.
• Comprehensive Coverage: It covers a wide range of topics from grammar and style to citation guidelines and research techniques.
• Digital Tools: The book offers both print and digital tools, making it easy to access and use in various formats.
• Academic Support: It provides detailed sections on academic reading, writing, and speaking, as well as researched writing techniques.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

• Comb-Bound: ISBN-13: 9781319169404
• eTextbook: Available through various e-book platforms (ISBNs may vary)
• Rental Options: Various rental durations available from different retailers

Publication Details

• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's
• Publication Date: September 10, 2020
• Number of Pages: 560 pages
• Language: English

Other Editions and Formats

• 9th Edition: Available through Bedford/St. Martin's and other retailers
• eTextbook with Digital Tools: Available through e-book platforms (ISBNs may vary)

Related ISBNs:

• 9781319169404 (Comb-Bound)
• 9781319332969 (eTextbook) [Note: This ISBN is for the e-book version, which may include additional digital tools and features]

This detailed information section provides a quick reference for all the available formats and sources for A Writer's Reference, making it easier to find and access the book in the preferred format.

Table of Contents

C | Composing and Revising
C1 Planning
C2 Drafting 
C3 Writing paragraphs 
C4 Reviewing, revising, and editing
C5 Preparing a portfolio; reflecting on your writing
A | Academic Reading, Writing, and Speaking
A1 Reading and writing critically
A2 Reading and writing about multimodal texts
A3 Reading arguments
A4 Writing arguments
A5 Speaking confidently
A6 Writing in the disciplines
R | Researched writing
R1 Thinking like a researcher; gathering sources
R2 Managing information; taking notes responsibly
R3 Evaluating sources
MLA | MLA Style
MLA-1 Supporting a thesis
MLA-2 Citing sources; avoiding plagiarism
MLA-3 Integrating sources
MLA-4 Documenting sources
MLA-5 Format and sample research essay
APA CMS | APA Style and CMS Style
APA-1 Supporting a thesis
APA-2 Citing sources; avoiding plagiarism
APA-3 Integrating sources
APA-4 Documenting sources
APA-5 Format and sample research essay
CMS-1 Supporting a thesis
CMS-2 Citing sources; avoiding plagiarism
CMS-3 Integrating sources
CMS-4 Documenting sources
CMS-5 Format and sample research essay
S | Sentence Style
S1 Parallelism
S2 Needed words
S3 Problems with modifiers
S4 Shifts
S5 Mixed constructions
S6 Sentence emphasis
S7 Sentence variety
W | Word choice
W1 Glossary of usage
W2 Wordy sentences
W3 Active verbs
W4 Appropriate language
W5 Exact language
G | Grammatical sentences
G1 Subject-verb agreement
G2 Verb form, tenses, and moods
G3 Pronouns
G4 Adjectives and adverbs
G5 Sentence fragments
G6 Run-on sentences
M | Multilingual Writers and ESL topics
M1 Verbs
M2 Articles
M3  Sentence structure
M4 Using adjectives
M5  Prepositions and idiomatic expressions
M6 Paraphrasing sources effectively
P | Punctuation and Mechanics
P1 The comma
P2 Unnecessary commas
P3 The semicolon and the colon
P4 The apostrophe
P5 Quotation marks
P6 Other punctuation marks
P7 Spelling and hyphenation
P8 Capitalization
P9 Abbreviations and numbers
P10 Italics
B | Basic Grammar
B1 Parts of speech
B2 Sentence patterns
B3 Subordinate word groups
B4 Sentence types
I | Index
[[only for WAL edition]]
L | Writing about Literature
L1 Reading to form an interpretation
L2 Planning the paper
L3 Writing the paper
L4 Observing conventions
L5 Integrating quotations from the text
L6 Using secondary sources
L7 Sample papers