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Index
Cover Page
Inside Front Cover
Brief Menu
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Preface for Instructors
Scavenger Hunt: Learning to use Rules for Writers
A Process for Writing
Chapter 1 Exploring, planning, and drafting
1a Assess the writing situation.
Subject
Purpose
Audience
Genre
1b Explore your subject.
Talking and listening
Reading and annotating texts
Asking questions
Brainstorming and freewriting
Keeping a journal or a blog
1c Draft and revise a working thesis statement.
Understanding what makes an effective thesis statement
Drafting a working thesis
Revising a working thesis
How to solve five common problems with thesis statements
1d Draft a plan.
When to use an informal outline
When to use a formal outline
1e Draft an introduction.
1f Draft the body.
Asking questions as you draft
Adding visuals as you draft
1g Draft a conclusion.
Chapter 2 Revising, editing, and reflecting
2a See revising as a social process.
2b Use peer review: Revise with comments.
2c Use peer review: Give constructive comments.
How to write helpful peer review comments
2d Highlights of one student’s peer review process
Sample Rough Draft with Peer Comments
2e Approach global revision in cycles.
Engaging the audience
Sharpening the focus
Improving the organization
Strengthening the content
2f Revise and edit sentences.
2g Proofread the final manuscript.
How to improve your writing with an editing log
2h Format the final manuscript.
2i Sample student revision
Sample Student Revision
2j Prepare a portfolio; reflect on your writing.
Understand the benefits of reflection
Chapter 3 Building effective paragraphs
3a Focus on a main point.
Stating the main point in a topic sentence
Sticking to the point
3b Develop the main point.
3c Choose a suitable pattern of organization.
Examples and illustrations
Narration
Description
Process
Comparison and contrast
Analogy
Cause and effect
Classification and division
Definition
3d Make paragraphs coherent.
Linking ideas clearly
Repeating key words
Using parallel structures
Maintaining consistency
Providing transitions
3e If necessary, adjust paragraph length.
Academic Reading and Writing
Chapter 4 Reading and writing critically
4a Read actively.
Previewing a text
Annotating a text
Conversing with a text
Double-entry notebook
Asking the “So what?” question
How to read like a writer
4b Outline a text to identify main ideas.
4c Summarize to deepen your understanding.
4d Analyze to demonstrate your critical reading.
Balancing summary with analysis
How to draft an analytical thesis statement
Drafting an analytical thesis statement
4e Sample student writing: Analysis of an article
Sample Analysis Paper
Writing guide: How to write an analytical essay
Chapter 5 Reading and writing about multimodal texts
5a Read actively.
Sample Annotated Advertisement
5b Summarize to deepen your understanding.
5c Analyze to demonstrate your critical reading.
How to write a summary of a multimodal text
Drafting an analytical thesis statement
5d Sample student writing: Analysis of an advertisement
Sample Analysis of an Advertisement
Chapter 6 Reading arguments
6a Distinguish between reasonable and fallacious argumentative tactics.
Generalizing (inductive reasoning)
Drawing analogies
Tracing causes and effects
Weighing options
Making assumptions
Deducing conclusions (deductive reasoning)
6b Distinguish between legitimate and unfair emotional appeals.
6c Judge how fairly a writer handles opposing views.
Describing the views of others
Quoting opposing views
Chapter 7 Writing arguments
7a When writing arguments, identify your purpose and context.
7b View your audience as a panel of jurors.
7c In your introduction, establish credibility and state your position.
How to draft a thesis statement for an argument
7d Back up your thesis with persuasive lines of argument.
7e Support your claims with specific evidence.
Using facts and statistics
Using examples and illustrations
Using visuals
Citing expert opinion
7f Anticipate objections; counter opposing arguments.
7g Build common ground.
7h Sample student writing: Argument
Sample Argument Paper
Writing guide: How to write an argument essay
Clarity
Chapter 8 Prefer active verbs.
8a Choose the active voice or the passive voice, depending on your writing situation.
Appropriate uses of the passive voice
8b Replace be verbs that result in dull or wordy sentences.
8c As a rule, choose a subject that names the person or thing doing the action.
Chapter 9 Balance parallel ideas.
9a Balance parallel ideas in a series.
9b Balance parallel ideas presented as pairs.
Parallel ideas linked with coordinating conjunctions
Parallel ideas linked with correlative conjunctions
Comparisons linked with than or as
9c Repeat function words to clarify parallels.
Chapter 10 Add needed words.
10a Add words needed to complete compound structures.
10b Add the word that if there is any danger of misreading without it.
10c Add words needed to make comparisons logical and complete.
10d Add the articles a, an, and the where necessary for grammatical completeness.
Chapter 11 Untangle mixed constructions.
11a Untangle the grammatical structure.
11b Straighten out the logical connections.
11c Avoid is when, is where, and reason . . . is because constructions.
Chapter 12 Repair misplaced and dangling modifiers.
12a Put limiting modifiers in front of the words they modify.
12b Place phrases and clauses so that readers can see what they modify.
12c Move awkwardly placed modifiers.
12d Avoid split infinitives when they are awkward.
12e Repair dangling modifiers.
Chapter 13 Eliminate distracting shifts.
13a Make the point of view consistent in person and number.
13b Maintain consistent verb tenses.
13c Make verbs consistent in mood and voice.
13d Avoid sudden shifts from indirect to direct questions or quotations.
Chapter 14 Emphasize key ideas.
14a Coordinate equal ideas; subordinate minor ideas.
Coordination
Subordination
14b Combine choppy sentences.
14c Avoid ineffective or excessive coordination.
14d Do not subordinate major ideas.
14e Do not subordinate excessively.
14f Experiment with techniques for gaining special emphasis.
Chapter 15 Provide some variety.
15a Vary your sentence openings.
15b Use a variety of sentence structures.
15c Try inverting sentences occasionally.
Chapter 16 Tighten wordy sentences.
16a Eliminate redundancies.
16b Avoid unnecessary repetition of words.
16c Cut empty or inflated phrases.
16d Simplify the structure.
16e Reduce clauses to phrases, phrases to single words.
Chapter 17 Choose appropriate language.
17a Avoid jargon, except in specialized writing situations.
17b Avoid pretentious language, most euphemisms, and ’doublespeak.‚
17c In most contexts, avoid slang, regional expressions, and nonstandard English.
17d Choose an appropriate level of formality.
17e Avoid sexist language.
Recognizing sexist language
Revising sexist language
17f Revise language that may offend groups of people.
Chapter 18 Find the exact words.
18a Select words with appropriate connotations.
18b Prefer specific, concrete nouns.
18c Do not misuse words.
18d Use standard idioms.
18e Do not rely heavily on clichés.
18f Use figures of speech with care.
Grammar
Chapter 19 Repair sentence fragments.
Recognizing sentence fragments
Repairing sentence fragments
19a Attach fragmented subordinate clauses or turn them into sentences.
19b Attach fragmented phrases or turn them into sentences.
19c Attach other fragmented word groups or turn them into sentences.
Parts of compound predicates
Lists
Examples introduced by for example, in addition, or similar expressions
19d Exception: A fragment may be used for effect.
Chapter 20 Revise run-on sentences.
Recognizing run-on sentences
Revising run-on sentences
20a Consider separating the clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
20b Consider separating the clauses with a semicolon, colon, or dash.
20c Consider making the clauses into separate sentences.
20d Consider restructuring the sentence, perhaps by subordinating one of the clauses.
Chapter 21 Make subjects and verbs agree.
21a Learn to recognize the standard subject-verb combinations.
21b Make the verb agree with its subject, not with a word that comes between.
21c Treat most subjects joined with and as plural.
21d With subjects joined with or or nor (or with either . . . or or neither . . . nor), make the verb agree with the part of the subject nearer to the verb.
21e Treat most indefinite pronouns as singular.
21f Treat collective nouns as singular unless the meaning is clearly plural.
21g Make the verb agree with its subject even when the subject follows the verb.
21h Make the verb agree with its subject, not with a subject complement.
21i Who, which, and that take verbs that agree with their antecedents.
One of the
Only one of the
21j Words such as athletics, economics, mathematics, and news are usually singular, despite their plural form.
21k Titles of works, company names, words mentioned as words, and gerund phrases are singular.
Chapter 22 Make pronouns and antecedents agree.
22a In general, use singular pronouns to refer to singular antecedents.
Indefinite pronouns
Generic nouns
22b Treat collective nouns as singular unless the meaning is clearly plural.
22c Treat most compound antecedents joined with and as plural.
22d With compound antecedents joined with or or nor (or with either . . . or or neither . . . nor), make the pronoun agree with the nearer antecedent.
Chapter 23 Make pronoun references clear.
23a Avoid ambiguous or remote pronoun reference.
23b Generally, avoid making broad references with this, that, which, and it.
23c Do not use a pronoun to refer to an implied antecedent.
23d Avoid the indefinite use of they, it, and you.
23e To refer to persons, use who, whom, or whose, not which or that.
Chapter 24 Distinguish between pronouns such as I and me.
24a Use the subjective case (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) for subjects and subject complements.
24b Use the objective case (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) for all objects.
24c Put an appositive and the word to which it refers in the same case.
24d Following than or as, choose the pronoun that expresses your meaning.
24e Use the objective case for subjects and objects of infinitives.
24f Use the possessive case to modify a gerund.
Chapter 25 Distinguish between who and whom.
25a Use who and whom correctly in subordinate clauses.
25b Use who and whom correctly in questions.
25c Use whom for subjects or objects of infinitives.
Chapter 26 Choose adjectives and adverbs with care.
26a Use adjectives to modify nouns.
Subject complements
Object complements
26b Use adverbs to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
26c Distinguish between good and well, bad and badly.
26d Use comparatives and superlatives with care.
Comparative versus superlative
Forming comparatives and superlatives
Double comparatives or superlatives
Absolute concepts
26e Avoid double negatives.
Chapter 27 Choose appropriate verb forms, tenses, and moods in Standard English.
27a Choose Standard English forms of irregular verbs.
Common irregular verbs
27b Distinguish among the forms of lie and lay.
27c Use -s or -es endings on present-tense verbs that have third-person singular subjects.
Has versus have
Does versus do and doesn’t versus don’t
Am, is, and are; was and were
27d Do not omit -ed endings on verbs.
Past tense
Past participles
27e Do not omit needed verbs.
27f Choose the appropriate verb tense.
Survey of tenses
Special uses of the present tense
The past perfect tense
Sequence of tenses with infinitives and participles
27g Use the subjunctive mood in the few contexts that require it.
Forms of the subjunctive
Uses of the subjunctive
Multilingual Writers and ESL Topics
Chapter 28 Verbs
28a Use the appropriate verb form and tense.
Basic verb forms
Verb tenses
28b To write a verb in the passive voice, use a form of be with the past participle.
28c Use the base form of the verb after a modal.
28d To make negative verb forms, add not in the appropriate place.
28e In a conditional sentence, choose verb tenses according to the type of condition expressed in the sentence.
Factual
Predictive
Speculative
28f Become familiar with verbs that may be followed by gerunds or infinitives.
Verb + gerund or infinitive (no change in meaning)
Verb + gerund or infinitive (change in meaning)
Verb + gerund
Verb + infinitive
Verb + noun or pronoun + infinitive
Verb + noun or pronoun + unmarked infinitive
Chapter 29 Articles (a, an, the)
29a Be familiar with articles and other noun markers.
Using articles and other noun markers
Types of articles and types of nouns
29b Use the with most specific common nouns.
29c Use a (or an) with common singular count nouns that refer to “one” or “any.”
29d Use a quantifier such as some or more, not a or an, with a noncount noun to express an approximate amount.
29e Do not use articles with nouns that refer to all of something or something in general.
29f Do not use articles with most singular proper nouns. Use the with most plural proper nouns.
Chapter 30 Sentence structure
30a Use a linking verb between a subject and its complement.
30b Include a subject in every sentence.
30c Do not use both a noun and a pronoun to play the same grammatical role in a sentence.
30d Do not repeat a subject, an object, or an adverb in an adjective clause.
30e Avoid mixed constructions beginning with although or because.
30f Do not place an adverb between a verb and its direct object.
30g Distinguish between present participles and past participles used as adjectives.
30h Place cumulative adjectives in an appropriate order.
Chapter 31 Prepositions and idiomatic expressions
31a Become familiar with prepositions that show time and place.
31b Use nouns (including -ing forms) after prepositions.
31c Become familiar with common adjective + preposition combinations.
31d Become familiar with common verb + preposition combinations.
Punctuation
Chapter 32 The comma
32a Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses.
32b Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase.
32c Use commas to separate items in a series.
32d Use a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined with and. Do not use a comma between cumulative adjectives.
32e Use commas to set off nonrestrictive (nonessential) elements. Do not use commas to set off restrictive (essential) elements.
Restrictive elements
Nonrestrictive elements
Adjective clauses
Adjective phrases
Appositives
32f Use commas to set off transitional expressions and other word groups.
Transitional expressions
Parenthetical expressions
Absolute phrases
Word groups expressing contrast
32g Use commas to set off nouns of direct address, the words yes and no, interrogative tags, and mild interjections.
32h Use commas with expressions such as he said to set off direct quotations.
32i Use commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers.
Dates
Addresses
Titles
Numbers
Chapter 33 Unnecessary commas
33a Do not use a comma with a coordinating conjunction that joins only two words, phrases, or subordinate clauses.
33b Do not use a comma to separate a verb from its subject or object.
33c Do not use a comma before the first or after the last item in a series.
33d Do not use a comma between cumulative adjectives, between an adjective and a noun, or between an adverb and an adjective.
33e Do not use commas to set off restrictive elements.
33f Do not use a comma to set off a concluding adverb clause that is essential for meaning.
33g Do not use a comma after a phrase that begins an inverted sentence.
33h Avoid other common misuses of the comma.
Chapter 34 The semicolon
34a Use a semicolon between closely related independent clauses not joined with a coordinating conjunction.
34b Use a semicolon between independent clauses linked with a transitional expression.
34c Use a semicolon between items in a series containing internal punctuation.
34d Avoid common misuses of the semicolon.
Chapter 35 The colon
35a Use a colon after an independent clause to direct attention to a list, an appositive, a quotation, or a summary or an explanation.
35b Use a colon according to convention.
35c Avoid common misuses of the colon.
Chapter 36 The apostrophe
36a Use an apostrophe to indicate that a noun is possessive.
When to add -’s
When to add only an apostrophe
Compound nouns
36b Use an apostrophe and -s to indicate that an indefinite pronoun is possessive.
36c Use an apostrophe to mark omissions in contractions and numbers.
36d Do not use an apostrophe in certain situations.
Plural of numbers
Plural of letters
Plural of abbreviations
Plural of words mentioned as words
36e Avoid common misuses of the apostrophe.
Chapter 37 Quotation marks
37a Use quotation marks to enclose direct quotations.
Exception: Indirect quotations
Exception: Long quotations
37b Use single quotation marks to enclose a quotation within a quotation.
37c Use quotation marks around the titles of short works.
37d Quotation marks may be used to set off words used as words.
37e Use punctuation with quotation marks according to convention.
Periods and commas
Colons and semicolons
Question marks and exclamation points
Introducing quoted material
37f Avoid common misuses of quotation marks.
Chapter 38 End punctuation
38a The period
To end sentences
In abbreviations
38b The question mark
38c The exclamation point
Chapter 39 Other punctuation marks
39a The dash
39b Parentheses
39c Brackets
39d The ellipsis mark
39e The slash
Mechanics
Chapter 40 Abbreviations
40a Use standard abbreviations for titles immediately before and after proper names.
40b Use abbreviations only when you are sure your readers will understand them.
40c Use BC, AD, a.m., p.m., No., and $ only with specific dates, times, numbers, and amounts.
40d Units of measurement
40e Be sparing in your use of Latin abbreviations.
40f Plural of abbreviations
40g Avoid inappropriate abbreviations.
Chapter 41 Numbers
41a Follow the conventions in your discipline for spelling out or using numerals to express numbers.
41b Use numerals according to convention in dates, addresses, and so on.
Chapter 42 Italics
42a Italicize the titles of works according to convention.
42b Italicize the names of specific ships, spacecraft, and aircraft.
42c Italicize foreign words used in an English sentence.
42d Italicize words mentioned as words, letters mentioned as letters, and numbers mentioned as numbers.
Chapter 43 Spelling
43a Become familiar with the major spelling rules.
i before e except after c
Suffixes
Plurals
43b Discriminate between words that sound alike but have different meanings.
43c Be alert to commonly misspelled words.
Chapter 44 The hyphen
44a Consult the dictionary to determine how to treat a compound word.
44b Hyphenate two or more words used together as an adjective before a noun.
44c Hyphenate fractions and certain numbers when they are spelled out.
44d Use a hyphen with the prefixes all-, ex- (meaning “former”), and self- and with the suffix -elect.
44e Use a hyphen in certain words to avoid ambiguity.
44f Check for correct word breaks when words must be divided at the end of a line.
Chapter 45 Capitalization
45a Capitalize proper nouns and words derived from them; do not capitalize common nouns.
45b Capitalize titles of persons when used as part of a proper name but usually not when used alone.
45c Capitalize titles according to convention.
45d Capitalize the first word of a sentence.
45e Capitalize the first word of a quoted sentence but not a quoted word or phrase.
45f Know your options when the first word after a colon begins an independent clause.
Grammar Basics
Chapter 46 Parts of speech
46a Nouns
46b Pronouns
46c Verbs
Helping verbs
Main verbs
46d Adjectives
46e Adverbs
46f Prepositions
46g Conjunctions
46h Interjections
Chapter 47 Sentence patterns
47a Subjects
The complete subject
The simple subject
Understood subjects
Subject after the verb
47b Verbs, objects, and complements
Linking verbs and subject complements
Transitive verbs and direct objects
Transitive verbs, indirect objects, and direct objects
Transitive verbs, direct objects, and object complements
Intransitive verbs
Chapter 48 Subordinate word groups
48a Prepositional phrases
48b Verbal phrases
Participial phrases
Gerund phrases
Infinitive phrases
48c Appositive phrases
48d Absolute phrases
48e Subordinate clauses
Adjective clauses
Adverb clauses
Noun clauses
Chapter 49 Sentence types
49a Sentence structures
Simple sentences
Compound sentences
Complex sentences
Compound-complex sentences
49b Sentence purposes
Research
Chapter 50 Thinking like a researcher; gathering sources
50a Manage the project.
Managing time
Getting the big picture
Keeping a research log
50b Pose questions worth exploring.
Choosing a focused question
Choosing a challenging question
Choosing a grounded question
How to enter a research conversation
50c Map out a search strategy.
50d Search efficiently; master a few shortcuts to finding good sources.
Using the library
How to go beyond a Google search
Using the web
Using bibliographies and citations
50e Conduct field research, if appropriate.
Interviewing
Surveying opinion
Using other field methods
50f Write a research proposal.
Organizing a research proposal
Chapter 51 Managing information; taking notes responsibly
51a Maintain a working bibliography.
51b Keep track of source materials.
51c As you take notes, avoid unintentional plagiarism.
How to take notes responsibly
Summarizing without plagiarizing
Paraphrasing without plagiarizing
Using quotation marks to avoid plagiarizing
How to avoid plagiarizing from the web
Chapter 52 Evaluating sources
52a Think about how sources might contribute to your writing.
52b Select sources worth your time and attention.
Scanning search results
Previewing sources
52c Read with an open mind and a critical eye.
How to detect fake news and misleading sources
Distinguishing between primary and secondary sources
Being alert for signs of bias
Assessing the author’s argument
Assessing web sources with care
52d Construct an annotated bibliography.
Writing guide: How to Write an Annotated Bibliography
Writing Papers in MLA Style
Chapter 53 Supporting a thesis
53a Form a working thesis.
53b Organize ideas with an informal plan.
53c Draft an introduction for your thesis.
53d Use sources to inform and support your argument.
Providing background information or context
Explaining terms or concepts
Supporting your claims
Lending authority to your argument
Anticipating and countering objections
Chapter 54 Citing sources; avoiding plagiarism
54a Understand how the MLA system works.
54b Understand what plagiarism is.
54c Use quotation marks around borrowed language.
54d Put summaries and paraphrases in your own words.
How to Be a responsible research writer
Chapter 55 Integrating sources
55a Summarize and paraphrase effectively.
Summarizing
Paraphrasing
55b Use quotations effectively.
How to Paraphrase effectively
Limiting your use of quotations
Using the ellipsis mark
Using brackets
Setting off long quotations
55c Use signal phrases to integrate sources.
Marking boundaries
Establishing authority
Introducing summaries and paraphrases
Using signal phrases with statistics and other facts
Putting source material in context
55d Synthesize sources.
Considering how sources relate to your argument
Placing sources in conversation
Chapter 56 Documenting sources in MLA style
56a MLA in-text citations
General guidelines for signal phrases and page numbers
Variations on the general guidelines
Literary works and sacred texts
56b MLA list of works cited
General guidelines for listing authors
Articles and other short works
Books and other long works
Websites and parts of websites
Audio, visual, and multimedia
Government and legal documents
Personal communication and social media
General guidelines for the works cited list
How to Answer the basic question “Who is the author?”
How to Cite a source reposted from another source
56c MLA information notes (optional)
Chapter 57 MLA format; sample research paper
57a MLA format
Formatting the paper: The basics
Formatting the paper: Other concerns
Preparing the list of works cited
57b Sample MLA research paper
Writing Papers in APA Style
Chapter 58 Supporting a thesis
58a Form a working thesis.
58b Organize your ideas.
58c Use sources to inform and support your argument.
Providing background information or context
Explaining terms or concepts
Supporting your claims
Lending authority to your argument
Anticipating and countering alternative interpretations
Chapter 59 Citing sources; avoiding plagiarism
59a Understand how the APA system works.
59b Understand what plagiarism is.
59c Use quotation marks around borrowed language.
59d Put summaries and paraphrases in your own words.
Chapter 60 Integrating sources
60a Summarize and paraphrase effectively.
Summarizing
Paraphrasing
60b Use quotations effectively.
Limiting your use of quotations
Using the ellipsis mark
Using brackets
Setting off long quotations
60c Use signal phrases to integrate sources.
Marking boundaries
Introducing summaries and paraphrases
Integrating statistics and other facts
Putting source material in context
60d Synthesize sources.
Chapter 61 Documenting sources in APA style
61a APA in-text citations
61b APA list of references
General guidelines for listing authors
Articles and other short works
Books and other long works
Websites and parts of websites
Audio, visual, and multimedia sources
Personal communication and social media
Chapter 62 APA format; sample research paper
62a APA format
Formatting the paper: The basics
Formatting the paper: Other concerns
Preparing the list of references
62b Sample APA research paper
Appendixes
Models of professional writing
Standard academic formatting
Standard professional formatting
Glossary of usage
Answers to lettered exercises
Index
Multilingual Menu
Revision Symbols
Detailed Menu
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