Rules for Writers [with Oral Presentations in the Composition Course & Research and Documentation in the Electronic Age]

by Diana Hacker, Matthew Duncan, Gustav W. Friedrich

When students routinely use their handbook in the course, they see its value, find that it’s a faster way to get answers than search engines like Google, learn to rely on it as a reference, and are more likely to achieve the goals of the course. And when that handbook is Rules for Writers, you can be sure the advice they find is practical and reliable—with help for composing and revising, writing arguments, analyzing texts, using grammar and punctuation correctly, and working with sources. In revising the eighth edition, Nancy Sommers has woven a new emphasis on reading critically throughout the first section of the handbook, introduced advice for analyzing multimodal texts, and added help for public speaking. New practical Writing Guides support students working through college assignments in a variety of genres. And new peer review advice helps students effectively comment on drafts and apply feedback to revisions of their own work. All of these improvements help student writers—but they also save you time and effort. You can draw from Rules for Writers for planning class discussions, conducting in-class workshops, and providing feedback on student work that they can easily apply. Rules for Writers even comes with a complete instructor’s manual, Teaching with Hacker Handbooks, with stepped-out lesson plans to customize and sample assignments, syllabi, and rubrics from your peers.

Genres: Reference, Writing, Nonfiction, Textbooks, School, Language, Read For School

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to be a smartass and add this since it's required for like 4 classes!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the format of this MLA format handbook and I found it hard to look up the information I needed. I would just get the MLA format handbook instead.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I read writer I certainly do not envision an accountant "writing" some numbers than signing his name (with letters). Yet for the authors of this book, writer is anyone wielding a pen. And the information is just rehashed crap from many many sources. How do you organize the files and references? A whole half page in which the reader is reminded to do the task well. Else, there are many pages on the fine art of making sure that basic grammar errors are avoided.

[Fatima Jerde]

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[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book saved me a lot of time throughout college when I needed helping writing papers and such. But it could be better. Better examples and less technical definitions would really help explanation certain things.

[Marissa Tagatac · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your a writer and your listing to this well guess what writing is so much fun

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, but veeeerrrryyyyyy long.

[Amanda Dicicco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very informative for me. I enjoyed this book a lot.

[Catherine Schaff-Stump · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been using this handbook for years in my comp classes, and it just keeps getting better.

[Biblioteka Wydziału Neofilologii UW]

N.15841

[Maria Cornejo]

It has everything to you help you how write for English essays and grammar errors.

[Charli Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Primer useful for teaching College English 101 and 102.

[Dan Hyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I good reference book for writing. Has good examples for developing thesis statements.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely helpful book of English. Any college student (and high school student) will definitely need this book for the rest of the student lives. This hand book can help students from writing good to writing research papers.
As a college student myself, this book has come in handy since the first day of class. I really wished I had this book when I was in high school. Using proper MLA in research papers was something I always struggled with, but with this hand book, I have infinite knowledge on how to do it properly. Seriously, any high school student and especially college student will benefit from this amazing hand book. And honestly in can help us all for the rest of our lives. Writing will always be part of our lives. We might as well write properly.

[Adrienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I am back in school, this is a great resource tool and refresher. I also review some things to help with my writing via novels/books.

For one of my past novels, late 90s, I was known for danglers in my writings; hoping I can find them and do the necessary revisions in the future. Over the years, I think my writing abilities and skills have not mastered but definitely grown. I also have proofread past clients projects. Therefore, this is a great tool to review or find what you are looking for at the moment when it comes to writing in general.

I also put post tags to find the main areas of need!

*Research/Resource tool in 2016

Adrienna Turner
Author of God is in the Equation
adriennaturner.net

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, yes, helpful as well as essential...but equally despised and loathed in my book. If you're anything like me, the act of dissecting language can ruin ones love for it. However, I feel that if you want to ignore and break all the literary rules it makes sense to learn them first. An unfortunate and unenviable task, I know! It does of course come in handy for times when you've no choice but to adhere to the rules as well. I try to forget everything in this book but then find it necessary to keep a copy around so as to reference it when needed.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best grammar book I've ever seen. It covers all aspects of grammar and includes clear explanations and examples. In addition, this book gives guidelines to writing papers, and the basics of MLA notation. Exercises are included with each topic. A website is a companion to the book and contains more exercises and discusses issues and controversies about grammar.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indispensable at college, mostly useful for bibliographies.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this one too. But I don't like it anymore. The layout, feel, design are kind of old school. It needs updating. Content's OK, though.

[Jonathan]

None

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's useful if you can manage to locate what you're looking for. I always get lost trying to look things up in here.

[Clare]

Steubenville recommends

[Krissi Charsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't use as much during the semester, but its helpful when using MLA format (which is what we used all semester)

[Jessica Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful reference.

[Nranger7]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13071413

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful resource which covers everything from grammar and style to formatting and citation to writing resources and writing procedures. Great refresher on the mechanics of writing.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still refer to this book today

[PHILO SORIA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I constantly refer to this book. Its in a format that works best for my learning style.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The primary grammar book that I've used for more than a decade. (Every writer needs at least one!)

[Edith]

I have the Fourth Edition, from 2000, so it's out-of-date by now. This review applies to that edition of the book. The book is in wire-bound form, and contains nine sections: The Writing Process; Document Design; Clarity; Grammar, which includes ESL Grammar; Punctuation; Mechanics; Research Guide; and The Basics. It also includes a Glossary of Usage; Answers to Tutorials and Lettered Exercises (included in the book); Index; A Writer's Online Resources; ESL Menu; Revision Symbols (useful for proofreading). This edition if updated with 2001 APA guidelines.

Excellent resource for writers and students.