Full Description
The Brief English Handbook is known for its straightforward approach and clear organization, and offers the convenience and coverage of other brief handbooks at half the cost. - Coverage of argument has been revised and expanded, and now includes a second sample student paper using comparison/contrast. - Updated coverage of research includes more on internet research including finding, evaluating, and citing electronic sources. - Part X, "Communicating in the Workplace" includes two new chapters on Document Design (chapter 65) and Oral Communication (chapter 66). - Expanded number of "Computer Clinic" boxes throughout helps todays students keep abreast of the ways in which computers can make the writing process more efficient. - Expanded coverage of the resume including coverage of scannable and electronic resumes. - The top-down approach begins with critical thinking and the writing process, followed by coverage of writing essays and paragraphs, then concludes with grammar and usage. - Since critical thinking continues to be the number-one skill students are expected to master, there are three chapters in Part I showing students how to think creatively in order to generate ideas and how to think critically in order to evaluate their writing. - "Writers Clinic" and "Computer Clinic" boxes provide students with important information and guidelines on writing, critical thinking, and computer use. - Both the argument and writing sections about literature each include full-length student papers, preparing students to write their own work. - Coverage of computers and the internet includes conducting, evaluating, and documenting online sources. Part X, "Communicating in the Workplace" incorporates e-mail issues, writing online, and creating a web site. - Six succinct chapters on essay writing have been designed to enhance comprehension and retention of this significant topic.
Contents
I. EFFECTIVE THINKING AND WRITING. 1. Thinking and Writing. 2. Critical Thinking Basics. 3. Critical Thinking and Reasoning. II. THE COLLEGE ESSAY. 4. Write for a Reader. 5. Begin the Composing Process. 6. Write a Thesis Statement and Develop a Plan. 7. Write a First Draft. 8. Revise the First Draft. 9. Standard Manuscript Form. 10. Instructor and Peer Review. III. PARAGRAPHS. 11. Topic Sentences. 12. Unified Paragraphs. 13. Coherent Paragraphs. 14. Descriptive and Narrative Paragraphs. 15. Expository Paragraphs. 16. Argument Paragraphs. IV. SENTENCE VARIETY, CLARITY, AND DICTION. 17. Emphasize Equal Ideas. 18. Use Parallel Structure for Emphasis. 19. Create Sentence Variety. 20. Rewrite Misplaced Modifiers. 21. Revise for Consistency. 22. Add Omitted Words. 23. Use Appropriate Language. 24. Revise Wordy Sentences. 25. Choose Exact Words. V. SENTENCE ERRORS. 26. Rewrite Sentence Fragments. 27. Revise Run-on Sentences. 28. Examine Subject and Verb Agreement. 29. Examine Pronoun and Antecedent Agreement. 30. Check Pronoun Reference. 31. Use Appropriate Pronoun Case. 32. Select Accurate Verb Forms and Tense. 33. Use Appropriate Mood. 34. Write in the Active rather than Passive Voice. 35. Select Adjectives and Adverbs with Care. VI. PUNCTUATION. 36. Comma. 37. Unnecessary Commas. 38. Semicolon.
