A Writer's Reference

The book is organized into three major sections: 1) Composition/Style, 2) Correctness, and 3) Format/Basic grammar. Each of those major sections are subdivided into four supporting subsections as follows:

Composition/Style -- 1) Composing and revising, 2) Research writing, 3) Effective sentences, and 4) Word Choice.

Correctness -- 1) Grammatical sentences, 2) ESL Trouble spots, 3) Punctuation, and 4) Spelling and mechanics.

Format/Basic Grammar -- 1) Document design, 2) MLA documentation, 3) Alternative styles of documentation, and 4) Basic grammar.

In addition to those sections, there are tutorials at the front of the book that helps the user get the best benefit from support available in the book. There are also ESL hints throughout the text, not just in the section dedicated to ESL challenges. The index is helpful, there are several URLs at the back of the book where a writer can go for more help, and there is even a page that shows revision symbols.

There are ample examples throughout, and anyone who conscientiously applies the lessons in this book will become a better writer.

This is a top-flight book with great things to offer everyone -- from struggling first-year college students taking their first composition class to the polished professional writer.

The strengths of this text made this book the top choice to support our writing across the curriculum program at Manchester College. Many other colleges and universities also use this great book.

5 stars for utility and support.

Alan Holyoak, Dept of Biology, Manchester College, IN


This is a "must have" writer or editor's tool.   April 30, 2002
 56 out of 59 found this review helpful

Describing the contents of one of the most beneficial grammar books I study is difficult, though it is easy to read, research, check, verify, and use. Diana Hacker has written many books to help people understand and use the English language in the correct way. This is a heritage that also protects the language for future generations, just as dictionaries do.

The Main Menu is divided into topics and the sections that relate to it. Within each of these is a category breakdown, as follows:

Composition/Style:
(C) Composing and revising, (D) Document Design, (E) Effective sentences, and (W) Word Choices.
Correctness:
(G) Grammatical sentences, (T) ESL Trouble spots, (P) Punctuation, and (S) Spelling and mechanics.
Research/ Basic Grammar:
(R) Research Writing, (M) MLA documentation, (A) Alternative styles of documentation, and (B) Basic grammar.

The index is also helpful. I selected a topic at random--adjective phrases: (1) Infinite, 350, (2) participle, 349, (3) prepositional, 348-349, (4) punctuation of, 198, 205.

The format displays what type of information is on that page. (1) Page 350 is B for basic grammar information, as are 348 and 349. Pages 98 and 205 are P or punctuation.

This book is on my desk, and is one of the most useful tools I own. I cannot recommend it enough. Any serious writer, editor, or student needs it. 5 stars.

Victoria Tarrani


Great reference   May 2, 2003
 40 out of 46 found this review helpful

I purchased this book as a requirement for a college course -- and this is the only college "textbook" I haven't disposed of in some way. Its labeled tabs make it easy to access information with the flick of a finger, and the front and back menus make it somewhat easy to find the information you're looking for. My only complaint about this book is the lack of a comprehensive index. For instance, if I wanted to find information about comma usage, I cannot simply look up "comma". I must utilize the menu and think in a heirarchal way -- Punctiation --> The comma. There have also been times I was unable to find information because I was unable to categorize what I was looking for.

Another aspect of this book is the online help. The book provides a URL where you can find supplemental information about the book and take interactive quizzes to test your grammar knowledge.

Despite some of its quirks, I would highly recommend this book as a good reference.


An APA or Mla must have!   November 22, 2001
 30 out of 33 found this review helpful

Don't listen to anything else you've heard; this is THE must-have guide for any undergrad or grad student who is tasked with writing any kind of research or term paper. The author provides easily understandable examples and explanations of APA and Mla formats with helpful grammar tips. This guide is a must have for any serious student or writer. Kudos to Ms. Hacker!


Good tool, except as an aid for revision.   November 17, 1999
 22 out of 24 found this review helpful

Hacker's handbook is a wonderful resource for student writers. I require my freshman composition students to purchase a copy, and we use her book to enhance our classroom writing projects. My students rely on her handbook for its guides for peer review, as well as for all the basics of grammar and "correctness" in writing. However, the gaping flaw in this handbook is its de-emphasis on revision in writing. Its "Revising" section barely suggests that students should revise *ideas*, and focuses instead on sentence revision and the structure of a paper (the minutia of student composition), to the detriment of promoting whole and significant revision of *thought*.