Writer's Reference

by Diana Hacker

THIS TITLE HAS BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT THE 2016 MLA UPDATES! Our editorial team has updated this text based on content from The MLA Handbook, 8th Edition. Browse our catalog or contact your representative for a full listing of updated titles and packages, or to request a custom ISBN.For success in college, no skill is more critical than writing; it’s the very core of a student’s academic experience. Tested and trusted, A Writer’s Reference is an essential tool for students who are strengthening habits and skills that will support them throughout college. In an April 2014 survey of first-year writers, 75 percent reported that using a Hacker handbook made them a more confident academic writer. What’s more, A Writer’s Reference has been a powerful tool for change across college campuses—helping to create a culture of writing at many schools by supporting a common language for talking about academic writing. In that way, A Writer’s Reference is uniquely positioned to help transform attitudes about the value of writing instruction and the role that writing plays in academic work and in higher learning. With this eighth edition of the handbook, author Nancy Sommers invites you to be part of a community of those who teach and assign writing; who believe that critical reading, analytical writing, responsible research, and clarity are at the center of effective writing across the academy; and who use the nation’s best-selling and most responsive handbook to support the development of the college writer.

Genres: Reference, Writing, Nonfiction, Textbooks, School, Education, Language

624 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down the best reference I've ever used! It covers everything a writer needs in an easy to find, tabbed system. The copy I have is a Used Rental from the campus bookstore, but I'm hoping I can afford to keep it once the semester is ended. If I can't afford it right away, I am definitely buying a new one as soon as I have the money! This text is a Must-Have!

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without Hacker, I wouldn't have made it through college!

[Marcy Winograd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the English teacher's bible. Thank you, Diana!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another text book for english composition class. I think I would like to own this one. Good information provided. One day I just might be able to write well without thinking?

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially bought this back in 2011 thinking I was going to need it for some college courses. Turns out I didn't.

But, as a "writer", I found it to be quite the indispensable tool and still use it as of today. I keep it on my bookshelf right by me. It's great for bloggers, writers, and students.

The "tabs" provide easy access for the sections you might need: composing/reviewing; academic writing; sentence style; word choice; word choice; grammatical sentences; ESL challenges; punctuation; mechanics; research; MLA (Modern Language Association) citations; APA/CMS (American Psychological Association)/(Chicago Manual of Style) citations; and basic grammar.

It can function not only as a textbook of sorts as well as reference for any kind of writing: creative, letters, blogs, or academic papers.

This is one of the rare reference novels I take with me on vacations in case I want to do some writing.

Of course, I should probably get a more recent version, this book is still in great shape.

[Howard Frisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book while I was writing my second book, Abandoned Washington State. I have always enjoyed writing, but I never liked grammar when I was in school, and my feelings have not changed. However, since I wanted my book to be free of embarrassing grammatical errors, I got this book. It was big help. I have always been able to tell when something written does not sound right, but I could never explain why. Now I can.

This should be on the bookshelf for every author.

[Taryl Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and other versions has always saved my academic life. I have used it during my undergraduate and graduate courses and I love it. It is the most helpful! The explanations are easy to read and understand. I still refer to it off and on when I need clarification on some things. This book is my bible.

[Lisa Rector · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at least once a year to refresh my grammar. And I reference it more than that. It’s easy to follow and understand. I probably should get an updated edition. I think this one is left over from my college years. I highly recommend this if you are an author.

[Mark Mathes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic reference book. Easy to use. Quick to find the answer. Fast to solve the problem. Spiral-bound, subject tabs, color-coded. Still useful for students, authors, professionals and teachers.

[Edith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive grammar and punctuation guide to the English language.

[Cait Spain · Rating 4 out of 5]

My college professors used this almost exclusively when we needed a reference for MLA, APA, etc. It is incredibly useful.

[Andrew]

Thriller.

[CweenCarolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

She ate! So concise and clear

[Jaguar · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Total times read: 2 times.
*ating: Currently 3 stars, possibly 3.5.*
Again, another book required for my first college class (English Composition 1). I think this book can be SUPER helpful, but some things I feel could be defined better, or even explained. I don’t always agree with their examples they provide, such as where commas are to be placed. I think I will just rate this 3 stars for now, and maybe in the future I will make it higher.

2016-Summer-Reading-Review

Updated November 12th, 2016.
Read for the second time, this time for English Composition 2. Still debating whether to rate this higher, but right now I am going to leave it because I have been stuck reading this book two times completely through since July 2016. Welcome to the college life. -_-

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

These reference books are all pretty much the same. I've seen dozens (publishers always send professors text books in hopes they'll adopt them for their classes) and they're all pretty much the same. Major points of difference are completness and ease of use. This is a good one for that. Besides, Hacker is a classic.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like I said, they're all pretty much the same. But, once again, if you don't know most of this stuff . . . do. Especailly if you're a writer. But even readers can increase their comprehension, vocabulary / diction, etc. Good standard stuff to have lying around the house. Get it.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a guide of writing and the proper usage of the English language. It is a useful tool for students and anyone else who writes. As a retired teacher, I feel that that the section on proper references is mandatory.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great tool for writers. I found it very useful. I went through the entire book and ear marked some places for use at a later date. This is a reference book I'll use a lot. The book is in sections which make it very useful.

[John Wick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very excellent reference book for anyone who wants to know how to write using formal styles correctly. APA, Chicago, MLA, CMS, etc. This is my little writers bible for school.

[jacky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a second handbook that I was required to get a different year of college. I use this when I need a source different from Little, Brown.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a reason this is required for students coming into University.

[Letitia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. Clear, concise, easiest way to do MLA I've ever found.

[Kay Sterner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book since college, even took it with me when I studied abroad for two years, and I still find a constant use for it.

[Charmless · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my grammar bible since college. (Well, the one I had in college, in the early to mid '90s, was a much older edition.) Hacker's product is a very user-friendly reference book.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as Strunk & White's book, but a good reference, anyway. More up to date on some stuff that I rarely use, like business headers & such.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hacker writes a strong writer's reference here. This was my preferred text while teaching.

[Wednesday · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terrible as reference guides go, more helpful information on writing and organization than most. I remember the old New Style manual we used to use that was crap. This blows that book away.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very comprehensive look at grammar, mechanics, usage, and style. The corresponding textbook website exercises were very helpful to drive home the material.

[Emily Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting!

[Cory Brewster-greenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another necessary evil