The Blair Handbook + Online Website

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ISBN: 9780130486035 | 0130486035
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 6/1/2002

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A reference handbook for any course. Focused on the needs of contemporary college writers, the widely acclaimed Blair Handbook provides a practical, comprehensive handbook and extensive research manual. Organized around the writing process, it offers professional and student samples of the qualities of good writing, and teaches students how to effectively shape, organize, and develop a voice of their own as they write. It explains and illustrates issues of style, grammar, punctuation, usage, and mechanics as matters of writer choices that depend upon audience, purpose, and situation rather than static and absolute rules.

Preface

xxii

PART ONE Writing in College

(36)

Questions and Answers About Writing

(8)

What is difficult about writing?

(1)

What do you enjoy about writing?

(1)

What surprises are in store?

(1)

Why is reading important?

(1)

What can you learn from the experience of others?

(2)

What else do you want to know about writing?

(3)

Reading Critically to Think Critically

(15)

Reading to understand ESL*

(4)

Reading critically

(11)

The Writing Process

(11)

Describing writing as a process ESL

(2)

Planning

(1)

Drafting

(1)

Researching

(1)

Revising

(1)

Editing

(1)

Writing with computers

(1)

Writing in English as a second language

(3)

PART TWO Planning

(38)

Keeping a Journal

(11)

Understanding journals

(2)

Keeping college journals

(2)

Ideas for college journals ESL

(7)

Inventing and Discovering

(8)

Personal brainstorming

(1)

Freewriting ESL

(2)

Looking

(1)

Asking reporters' questions

(1)

Making outlines

(1)

Clustering

(1)

Talking with peers

(3)

Assuming a Rhetorical Stance

(17)

Writing for a purpose

(4)

Addressing audiences

(5)

Assessing the situation

(1)

Finding a voice

(7)

PART THREE Drafting

(78)

Reflecting on Experience

(16)

Delineating character (who?)

(1)

Finding a subject (what?)

(3)

Establishing perspective (how?)

(2)

Describing the setting (where?)

(1)

Narrating a sequence of events (when?)

(1)

Developing a theme (why?)

(3)

Shaping the whole paper (student essay)

(4)

Explaining Things

(17)

Writing to explain

(1)

Focusing on a topic

(1)

Developing a thesis

(1)

Using strategies to explain

(8)

Organizing with logic

104

(1)

Maintaining a neutral perspective

105

(1)

Shaping the whole paper (student essay)

105

(5)

Arguing Positions

110

(28)

Understanding the elements of argument

110

(3)

Finding an issue

113

(2)

Analyzing an issue

115

(2)

Taking a position

117

(1)

Developing an argument

118

(6)

Organizing a position paper

124

(5)

Shaping the whole paper (student essay)

129

(9)

Interpreting Texts

138

(15)

Writing interpretive essays

138

(1)

Exploring a text

139

(1)

Joining an interpretive community

140

(3)

Developing an interpretation

143

(4)

Interpreting different genres

147

(2)

Shaping the whole paper (student essay)

149

(4)

PART FOUR Researching

153

(118)

Writing Research Essays

155

(17)

Understanding research

156

(2)

Managing the research process ESL

158

(5)

Formulating a working thesis

163

(1)

Keeping a research log

164

(1)

Using the writing process

165

(7)

Conducting Library Research

172

(23)

Planning library research

173

(2)

Finding sources of information

175

(11)

Using electronic sources

186

(2)

Reading library sources critically

188

(1)

Taking notes

189

(6)

Conducting Internet Research

195

(8)

Select a search engine

195

(3)

Check e-mail and newsgroups

198

(1)

A sample Web search

199

(4)

Conducting field Research

203

(10)

Planning field research

204

(1)

Interviewing ESL

205

(3)

Conducting surveys

208

(2)

Observing

210

(3)

Evaluating Research Sources

213

(15)

Evaluating library sources

213

(4)

Evaluating electronic sources

217

(7)

Evaluating field sources

224

(4)

Using Sources

228

(17)

Controlling your sources

228

(1)

Organizing your sources

229

(1)

Synthesizing information from sources

229

(1)

Integrating information from sources ESL

230

(10)

Using Internet sources

240

(1)

Using sources in an I-search essay

241

(1)

Understanding and avoiding plagiarism

241

(4)

A Sampler of Research Essays

245

(26)

Free choice topics

245

(2)

Personal research essay

247

(7)

Internet research essay

254

(11)

Collaborative research essay

265

(6)

PART FIVE Revising

271

(44)

The Revising Process

273

(9)

Understanding revising ESL

273

(1)

Planning to revise

274

(1)

Asking revision questions

275

(2)

Using revision strategies

277

(5)

Focused Revising

282

(14)

Limiting

282

(3)

Adding

285

(2)

Switching

287

(3)

Transforming

290

(4)

Experimenting with revising versus academic convention

294

(2)

Responding to Writing

296

(9)

Asking for help

296

(1)

Giving constructive responses ESL

297

(3)

Responding in writing

300

(1)

Responding through one-to-one conferences

300

(1)

Responding in writing groups ESL

301

(4)

Creative Nonfiction

305

(10)

Lists

305

(1)

Snapshots

306

(2)

Playful sentences

308

(2)

Repetition/refrain

310

(1)

Double voice

311

(2)

Electronic style

313

(2)

PART SIX Editing

315

(16)

The Editing Process

317

(14)

Editing techniques ESL

318

(7)

Understanding the meaning of ``error''

325

(1)

Working with others

325

(1)

Editing with a computer

326

(2)

Editing when English is your second language ESL

328

(1)

Using part six of The Blair Handbook

329

(2)

EDITING FOR EFFECTIVENESS

331

(132)

Shaping Strong Paragraphs

333

(10)

Ensuring that paragraphs are unified

333

(1)

Organizing paragraphs

334

(4)

Making paragraphs coherent

338

(5)

Improving Openings and Conclusions

343

(14)

Making openings engaging

343

(4)

Strengthening openings

347

(3)

Making conclusions satisfying

350

(3)

Strengthening conclusions

353

(4)

Strengthening Sentence Structure

357

(17)

Using coordination ESL

357

(4)

Using subordination

361

(2)

Coordinating and subordinating effectively ESL

363

(5)

Eliminating choppy sentences

368

(1)

Using parallelism

368

(3)

Creating effective parallelism

371

(3)

Creating Emphasis and Variety

374

(15)

Using the emphatic first and final positions

374

(3)

Editing sentence length

377

(2)

Varying sentence types ESL

379

(5)

Varying sentence openings

384

(1)

Using deliberate repetition

385

(1)

Omitting words deliberately

386

(3)

Building Vital Sentences

389

(15)

Using concrete, specific nouns

390

(1)

Choosing strong verbs

391

(4)

Selecting active or passive voice ESL

395

(5)

Using vital modifiers ESL

400

(4)

Being Concise

404

(13)

Eliminating vague generalities

405

(1)

Removing idle words

406

(1)

Simplifying grammatical constructions

407

(2)

Eliminating redundancy ESL

409

(3)

Avoiding pretentious language

412

(1)

Minimizing euphemism

413

(4)

Adjusting Tone

417

(10)

Making lone appropriate

417

(2)

Selecting a point of view

419

(2)

Achieving the right level of formality

421

(3)

Maintaining consistent tone

424

(3)

Choosing the Right World

427

(25)

Understanding the history of English

427

(2)

Using the dictionary and thesaurus ESL

429

(6)

Expanding your vocabulary

435

(4)

Considering connotations

439

(1)

Distinguishing among frequently confused words

440

(1)

Using prepositions and particles idiomatically ESL

440

(5)

Using slang, regionalisms and jargon

445

(2)

Using figurative language

447

(2)

Eliminating cliches

449

(3)

Eliminating Biased Language

452

(11)

Eliminating stereotypes

452

(2)

Using labels carefully ESL

454

(3)

Using nonsexist language

457

(6)

EDITING GRAMMAR

463

(120)

Eliminating Sentence Fragments

464

(8)

Editing fragments lacking subjects or verbs ESL

464

(4)

Editing dependent clause fragments

468

(1)

Using sentence fragments for special effects

469

(3)

Correcting Fused Sentences and Comma Splices

472

(10)

Using a comma and a coordinating conjunction

474

(1)

Adding a semicolon

475

(2)

Adding a colon

477

(1)

Writing separate sentences

477

(1)

Subordinating one clause to the other

478

(1)

Creating one independent clause

478

(4)

Using Verbs Correctly

482

(39)

Verb Forms

482

(1)

Understanding the five verb forms

482

(3)

Using standard verb forms ESL

485

(8)

Using auxiliary verbs ESL

493

(3)

Verb Tense

496

(1)

Understanding verb tense

496

(3)

Using verb tenses in appropriate sequence

499

(3)

Verb Mood

502

(1)

Understanding verb mood

502

(1)

Using the subjunctive mood

503

(2)

Subject-Verb Agreement

505

(1)

Making subjects and verbs agree

505

(1)

Ignoring words between subject and verb

506

(1)

Finding the subject when it follows the verb

507

(1)

Creating agreement with linking verbs

508

(1)

Making verbs agree with subjects joined by and

509

(1)

Making verbs agree with subjects joined by or and nor

510

(1)

Making verbs agree with collective nouns ESL

511

(1)

Making verbs agree with indefinite pronouns ESL

512

(3)

Making verbs agree with who, which, and that

515

(1)

Making verbs agree with subjects that refer to amounts

516

(1)

Using noun phrases and noun clauses

516

(1)

Using singular verbs with titles and with words used as words

517

(1)

Recognizing singular subjects ending in -s

517

(1)

Recognizing troublesome plurals ESL

517

(4)

Using Modifiers Correctly

521

(19)

Choosing adjectives or adverbs ESL

521

(3)

Using adjectives after linking verbs

524

(1)

Choosing between commonly confused modifiers

524

(2)

Avoiding double negatives ESL

526

(2)

Using comparatives and superlatives ESL

528

(4)

Placing modifiers correctly

532

(2)

Eliminating dangling modifiers

534

(1)

Moving disruptive modifiers ESL

535

(5)

Using Pronouns Correctly

540

(28)

Pronoun Reference

540

(1)

Establishing a clear antecedent

540

(2)

Providing explicit antecedents ESL

542

(2)

Replacing a vague if, the, that

544

(1)

Choosing who, which, that

545

(3)

Eliminating unneeded pronouns

548

(1)

Pronoun Reference

548

(1)

Making pronouns and antecedents agree ESL

548

(2)

Making pronouns agree with antecedents joined by and

550

(1)

Making pronouns agree with antecedents, joined by or and nor

550

(1)

Making pronouns agree with collective nouns

551

(1)

Making pronouns agree with indefinite antecedent

552

(3)

Pronoun Case

555

(1)

Choosing pronoun case

555

(1)

Choosing case after elements joined by and, or, and nor

556

(3)

Choosing case for appositive pronouns

559

(1)

Choosing us or we before a noun

560

(1)

Choosing case with verbals

560

(2)

Choosing case after than or as

562

(1)

Choosing who or whom

563

(2)

Choosing reflexive pronouns

565

(3)

Making Sentences Consistent and Complete

568

(15)

Avoiding unnecessary shifts

568

(7)

Eliminating mixed constructions

575

(3)

Inserting missing words

578

(5)

EDITING PUNCTUATION

583

(72)

End Punctuation

584

(6)

Using periods

584

(1)

Using question marks

585

(2)

Using exclamation points

587

(3)

Commas

590

(23)

Using commas before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses

591

(1)

Using commas after introductory elements

592

(2)

Using commas to self off nonrestrictive elements

594

(3)

Using commas to set off parenthetical expressions and element of contract

597

(1)

Using commas to set off tag sentences, direct address, and interjections

598

(2)

Using commas between items in a serious and between coordinate adjectives

600

(1)

Using commas with quotations

601

(2)

Using commas with numbers, dates, names, places, and addresses

603

(2)

Using commas to prevent misreading

605

(2)

Editing misused commas

607

(6)

Semicolons

613

(6)

Using semicolons between independent clauses

613

(2)

Using semicolons in a series containing commas

615

(4)

Colons

619

(4)

Using colons as marks of introduction

619

(2)

Using colons as marks of separation

621

(2)

Apostrophes

623

(9)

Using appostrophes to form the possessive case of nouns and indefinite pronouns

623

(3)

Forming plurals of words used as words, letters, numbers, and symbols

626

(1)

Using apostrophes to show the omission of letter

627

(5)

Quotation Marks

632

(11)

Using quotation marks for direct quotations

633

(2)

Using quotation marks for dialogue

635

(1)

Using quotation marks for certain titles

636

(2)

Using quotation marks for translations, specialized terms, ironic usages, and nicknames

638

(1)

Using other punctuation with quotation marks

639

(4)

Other Punctuation

643

(12)

Using parentheses

643

(3)

Using dashes

646

(2)

Using ellipsis points

648

(2)

Using brackets ESL

650

(2)

Using slashes

652

(3)

EDITING MECHANICS

655

(46)

Spelling

656

(15)

Checking for commonly confused words ESL

656

(6)

Using spelling rules

662

(9)

Capitalization

671

(7)

Capitalizing the first word of sentence

671

(1)

Capitalizing quotations and lines of poetry

672

(1)

Capitalizing proper nouns and their derivatives

673

(3)

Capitalizing titles

676

(2)

Hyphenation

678

(6)

Hyphenating words at the ends of lines

678

(1)

Hyphenating after some prefixes

679

(1)

Hyphenating compound words

680

(1)

Hyphenating numbers, fractions and units of measure

681

(3)

Italics

684

(5)

Italicizing titles

684

(1)

Italicizing the names of individual trains, ships, airplanes, and spacecraft

685

(1)

Italicizing for emphasis and clarity

685

(1)

Italicizing words, numerals, and letters used as words

686

(1)

Italicizing words from other languages

686

(3)

Numbers and Abbreviations

689

(12)

Choosing between figures and words according to context

689

(2)

Using figures when required by convention ESL

691

(2)

Limiting abbreviations in nontechnical texts

693

(1)

Abbreviating titles and degrees

693

(1)

Abbreviating time, dates, amounts, and symbols

694

(1)

Abbreviating geographic names

695

(2)

Abbreviating common Latin terms

697

(1)

Using initials and acronyms ESL

697

(4)

PART SEVEN Presenting Your Work

701

(44)

Designing Documents

703

(14)

Objectives of design

703

(1)

Tools for designing

704

(9)

Proofreading ESL

713

(3)

Choosing a printing method and paper

716

(1)

Portfolios and Publishing

717

(9)

Writing portfolios

717

(1)

Preparing a course portfolio

717

(4)

Preparing a story portfolio

721

(3)

Publishing class books

724

(2)

Writing for the World Wide Web

726

(11)

Organizing for the Web

726

(5)

HTML basics

731

(6)

Making Oral Presentations

737

(8)

Interpreting the assignment

737

(1)

Preparing a speaking text

738

(2)

Speaking in public ESL

740

(2)

Selecting creative options

742

(3)

PART EIGHT Writing Across the Curriculum

745

(128)

Understanding the College Curriculum

747

(4)

Understanding differences among the disciplines

747

(2)

Understanding similarities among the disciplines

749

(2)

Writing in Languages and Literature

751

(43)

The aims of writing in languages and literature

751

(2)

The style of writing in languages and literature

753

(1)

Common forms of writing in languages and literature

753

(2)

Documenting sources: MLA style

755

(8)

Conventions for list of Works Cited

763

(20)

Research essay: MIA style

783

(11)

Writing in the Humanities

794

(13)

The aims of writing in the humanities

794

(1)

The style of writing in the humanities

795

(1)

Common forms of writing in the humanities

795

(1)

Documentation and format conventions: Chicago style (CMS)

796

(8)

Sample page with endnotes

804

(1)

Sample page with footnotes

804

(3)

Writing in the Social Sciences

807

(31)

The aims of writing in the social sciences

807

(1)

The style of writing in the social sciences

808

(1)

Common forms of writing in the social science

809

(1)

Documentation and format conventions: APA guidelines

810

(16)

Informational research paper: APA style

826

(12)

Writing in the Physical Sciences

838

(8)

The aims of writing in the sciences

838

(1)

The style of writing in the sciences

839

(1)

Common forms of writing in the sciences

840

(1)

Documentation and format conventions systems

841

(5)

Writing in Business

846

(9)

The aims of writing in business

846

(1)

The style of writing in business

846

(1)

Common forms of writing in business

847

(7)

Documentation and format conventions

854

(1)

Columbia Online Style

855

(11)

Citing sources in the body of a paper: COS style

855

(2)

Guidelines for compiling a COS Works Cited list

857

(1)

Preparing a COS bibliography

858

(8)

Writing Essay Examinations

866

(7)

Understanding the question

867

(1)

Writing a good answer

868

(5)

PART NINE A Grammar Reference

873

(28)

Parts of Speech

875

(14)

Nouns

875

(1)

Pronouns

876

(5)

Verbs

881

(3)

Adjectives and adverbs

884

(2)

Prepositions

886

(1)

Conjunctions

887

(1)

Interjections

888

(1)

The Elements of a Sentence

889

(8)

Subjects

889

(1)

Predicates

890

(1)

Objects of verbs

891

(1)

Complements

891

(1)

Phrases

892

(2)

Clauses

894

(3)

Sentence Classification and Sentence Patterns

897

(4)

Classifying sentences by function

897

(1)

Classifying sentences by grammatical structure

898

(1)

Understanding sentence patterns

899

(2)

Glossary of Usage

901

(17)

Glossary of Terms

918

(22)

Credits

940

(1)

ESL Index

941

(2)

Index

943

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The Blair Handbook + Online Website

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials