William E. Messenger, Jan de Bruyn, Judy Brown and Ramona Montagnes
This streamlined version of Canada's most trusted guide to research, writing, and documentation delivers invaluable advice on every aspect of the writing process, from composing a sentence to producing a full-length research paper. This handbook features descriptions and examples of the entire
writing process from basic grammar and punctuation to constructing sentences and paragraphs. It also covers how to quote and paraphrase to avoid plagiarism, and includes updated coverage of MLA, APA, Chicago, CSE, and IEEE styles. This text is suitable for students of all levels of study and
includes EAL icons that point to material of particular benefit to students learning English as an additional language.
Important Topics for EAL Students
Preface
PART I: Principles of Composition
1. Kinds of Paragraphs
1a Functions of Paragraphs
1b Kinds of Paragraphs: Methods of Development
Unity, Coherence, and Emphasis in Paragraphs
2. Paragraph Unity
3.
Paragraph Coherence
4. Coherence Through Organization: Beginning, Middle, and Ending
4a The Beginning: Topic Sentences
4b The Middle
4c The Ending
5. Structural Coherence
5a Parallelism
5b Repetition
5c Pronouns and Demonstrative Adjectives
5d
Transitional Terms
6. Emphasis in Paragraphs
7. Length of Paragraphs
7a Too Many Long Paragraphs
7b Too many Short Paragraphs
7c Variety
7d Review: A Sample Paragraph with an Analysis
The Whole Essay
8. The Whole Essay: Unity, Coherence, and
Emphasis
8a Unity
8b Coherence
8c Emphasis
9. The Process of Planning, Writing, and Revising the Essay
9a Finding a Subject and Pre-writing
9b Limiting the Subject
9c Considering Audience and Purpose
9d Gathering Evidence
9e Classifying and Organizing
the Evidence
9f The Thesis Statement and the Outline
9g The Importance of Outlining
9h Kinds of Outlines
9i Sentence Outlines
9j Constructing Sentence Outlines
9k Writing the First Draft
9-l Notes on Beginnings
9m Revising
9n Preparing the Final Draft
9-o
Proofreading
10. Argument: Writing to Convince or Persuade
10a Subject
10b Audience
10c Evidence
10d Organization
10e Being Reasonable
10f Including the Opposition
10g Using Induction and Deduction
10h Detecting and Avoiding Fallacies
11. Writing
In-Class Essays and Essay Examinations
PART II: Understanding Sentences
12. Sentence Patterns and Conventions
12a Subject and Predicate, Noun and Verb
12b Articles and Other Modifiers
12c Sentence Pattern 1: subject + verb
12d Sentence Pattern 2A: subject +
verb + direct object
12e Sentence Pattern 2B (passive voice): subject + passive voice verb
12f Sentence Pattern 3: subject + verb + indirect object + direct object
12g Sentence Pattern 4A: subject + linking verb + subjective complement (predicate adjective)
12h Sentence Pattern 4B:
subject + linking verb + subjective complement (predicate noun)
12i Sentence Pattern 5A: subject + verb + direct object + objective complement (adjective)
12j Sentence Pattern 5B: subject + verb + direct object + objective complement (noun)
12k Sentence Pattern 6 (expletive): there or it
+ linking verb (+ complement) + subject
12-l Other Elements: Structure Words
12m Independent (Main) Clauses
12n Subordinate (Dependent) Clauses
12-o Functions of Subordinate Clauses
12p Phrases
12q Appositives
12r Absolute Phrases
12s Order of Elements in Declarative
Sentences
12t Order of Elements in Interrogative Sentences
12u The Structure of Imperative Sentences
12v What Is a Sentence?
12w Minor Sentences
12x Fragments
12y Major Sentences
12z Kinds of Major Sentences
PART III: Parts of Speech
13.
Nouns
13a Inflection of Nouns
13b Grammatical Function of Nouns
13c Nouns and Inclusive Language
14. Pronouns
14a Personal Pronouns
14b Impersonal Pronouns
14c Interrogative Pronouns
14d Relative Pronouns
14e Case
14f Demonstrative Pronouns
14g
Indefinite Pronouns
14h Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns
14i Reciprocal Pronouns
15. Agreement of Pronouns with Their Antecedents
15a Antecedents Joined by and
15b Antecedents Joined by or or nor
15c Indefinite Pronoun as Antecedent
15d Pronouns and Inclusive
Language: Avoiding Gender Bias
15e Sensitive Language
15f Collective Noun as Antecedent
15g Agreement with Demonstrative Adjectives
16. Reference of Pronouns
16a Remote Antecedent
16b Ambiguous Reference
16c Vague Reference
16d Missing Antecedent
16e
Indefinite you, they, and it
17. Verbs
17a Kinds of Verbs: Transitive, Intransitive, and Linking
17b Inflection of Verbs: Principal Parts
17c Irregular Verbs
17d Inflection for Person and Number
17e Auxiliary Verbs
17f Inflection of do, be, and have
17g Time
and the Verb: Inflection for Tense
17h Sequence of Tenses
17i Verb Phrases in Compound Predicates
17j Tenses in Writing about Literature
17k Mood
17-l Voice: Active and Passive
18. Agreement Between Subject and Verb
18a Words Intervening Between Subject and
Verb
18b Compound Subject: Singular Nouns Joined by and
18c Compound Subject: Parts Joined by or or a Correlative
18d Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
18e Subject Following Verb
18f Agreement with Collective Nouns
18g Nouns That Are Always Singular or Always Plural
18h
Plurals: criteria, data, media, etc.
18i Agreement with Relative Pronouns
18j Titles of Works: Words Referred to as Words
19. Adjectives
19a Kind of Adjectives
19b Comparison of Descriptive Adjectives
19c Articles: a, an, and the
19d Placement of Adjectives
19e
Order of Adjectives
19f Adjectives Functioning as Nouns
20. Adverbs
20a Kinds and Functions of Adverbs
20b Forms of Adverbs
20c Comparison of Adverbs
20d Placement of Adverbs
21. Verbals: Infinitives, Participles, and Gerunds
21a Infinitives
21b
Tense and Voice of Infinitives
21c Split Infinitives
21d Participles
21e Tense and Voice of Participles
21f Gerunds
21g Tense and Voice of Gerunds
21h Possessives with Gerunds
21i Verbals in Absolute Phrases
22. Prepositions
22a Functions of Prepositions
and Prepositional Phrases
22b Placement of Prepositions
22c Common Prepositions
22d Two-Part Verbs; Verb Idioms
23. Conjunctions
23a Coordinating Conjunctions
23b Correlative Conjunctions
23c Subordinating Conjunctions
24. Interjections
PART IV:
Writing Effective Sentences
Basic Sentence Elements and Their Modifiers
25. Basic Sentence Elements: Subject, Verb, Object, Complement
25a Subject
25b Finite Verb
25c Direct Object
25d Subjective Complement
26. Modifiers
26a Adjectival
Modifiers
26b Adverbial Modifiers
26c Overlapping Modifiers
26d Using Modifiers: A Sample Scenario
Sentence Length, Variety, and Emphasis
27. Sentence Length
27a Short Sentences
27b Long Sentences
28. Sentence Variety
28a Variety of Lengths
28b
Variety of Kinds
28c Variety of Structures
29. Emphasis in Sentences
29a Endings and Beginnings
29b Loose Sentences and Periodic Sentences
29c The Importance of the Final Position
29d Changing Word Order
29e Movable Modifiers
29f Using the Expletive and the
Passive Voice for Emphasis
29g Emphasis by Repetition
29h Emphasis by Stylistic Contrast
29i Emphasis by Syntax
29j Emphasis by Punctuation
30. Analyzing Sentences
30a The Chart Method
30b The Vertical Method
Common Sentence Problems
31. Sentence
Coherence
32. Fragments
33. Comma Splices
34. Run-on (Fused) Sentences
35. Misplaced Modifiers
35a Movability and Poor Placement
35b Only, almost, etc.
35c Squinting Modifiers
36. Dangling Modifiers
36a Dangling Participial
Phrases
36b Dangling Gerund Phrases
36c Dangling Infinitive Phrases
36d Dangling Elliptical Clauses
36e Dangling Prepositional Phrases and Appositives
37. Mixed Constructions
38. Faulty Alignment
39. Shifts in Perspective: Inconsistent Point of
View
39a Shifts in Tense
39b Shifts in Mood
39c Shifts in Voice
39d Shifts in Person of Pronoun
39e Shifts in Number of Pronoun
40. Faulty Parallelism
40a With Coordinate Elements
40b With Correlative Conjunctions
40c In a Series
41. Faulty
Coordination: Logic, Emphasis, and Unity
42. Faulty Logic
PART V: Punctuation
43. Internal Punctuation: The Comma
43a The Comma with Independent Clauses Joined by a Coordinating Conjunction
43b The Comma with Short Independent Clauses Not Joined by a
Coordinating Conjunction
43c The Comma Between Items in a Series
43d The Comma Between Parallel Adjectives
43e The Comma with Introductory or Concluding Words, Phrases, and Clauses
43f The Comma with Nonrestrictive Elements
43g The Comma with Sentence Interrupters
44.
Internal Punctuation: The Semicolon
44a The Semicolon Between Independent Clauses
44b The Semicolon Between Items in a Series
45. Internal Punctuation: The Colon
46. Internal Punctuation: The Dash
47. Parentheses
48. Brackets
49. End
Punctuation: The Period
50. End Punctuation: The Question Mark
51. End Punctuation: The Exclamation Point
52. Quotation Marks
52a Direct Speech
52b Direct Quotation from a Source
52c Quotation Within Quotation
52d Words Used in a Special
Sense
52e Other Marks with Quotation Marks
53. Ellipses for Omissions
54. Avoiding Common Errors in Punctuation
54a Run-on (Fused) Sentences
54b Comma Splice
54c Unwanted Comma Between Subject and Verb
54d Unwanted Comma Between Verb and Object or
Complement
54e Unwanted Comma After Last Adjective of a Series
54f Unwanted Comma Between Coordinated Words and Phrases
54g Commas with Emphatic Repetition
54h Unwanted Comma with Short Introductory or Parenthetical Element
54i Unwanted Comma with Restrictive Appositive
54j
Unwanted Comma with Indirect Quotation
54k Unwanted Question Mark After Indirect Question
54-l Unwanted Semicolon with Subordinate Element
54m Unwanted Colon After Incomplete Construction
54n Unwanted Double Punctuation: Comma or Semicolon with a Dash
PART VI: Mechanics and
Spelling
55. Abbreviations
55a Titles Before Proper Names
55b Titles and Degrees After Proper Names
55c Standard Words Used with Dates and Numerals
55d Agencies and Organizations Known by Their Initials
55e Scientific and Technical Terms Known by Their
Initials
55f Latin Expressions Commonly Used in English
55g Terms in Official Titles
56. Capitalization
56a Names and Nicknames
56b Professional and Honorific Titles
56c Words Designating Family Relationships
56d Place Names
56e Months, Days, and
Holidays
56f Religious Names
56g Names of Nationalities and Organizations
56h Names of Institutions, Sections of Government, Historical Events, and Buildings
56i Academic Courses and Languages
56j Derivatives of Proper Nouns
56k Abbreviations of Proper Nouns
56-l I and
O
56m Titles of Written and Other Works
56n First Words
56-o With Personification and for Emphasis
57. Titles
57a Italics for Whole or Major Works
57b Quotation Marks for Short Works and Parts of Longer Works
57c Titles Within Titles
58. Italics
58a
Names of Ships, Trains, and Planes
58b Non-English Words and Phrases
58c Words Referred to as Words
58d For Emphasis
59. Numerals
59a Time of Day
59b Dates
59c Addresses
59d Technical and Mathematical Numbers
59e Parts of a Written Work
59f Numbers of
More Than Two Words
59g Commas with Numerals
60. Spelling Rules and Common Causes of Error
60a ie or ei
60b Prefixes
60c Suffixes
60d Final e Before a Suffix
60e Final y after a Consonant and Before a Suffix
60f Doubling of a Final Consonant Before a
Suffix
60g Changes in Spelling of Roots
60h Confusion with Other Words
60i Homophones and Other Words Sometimes Confused
60j One Word or Two?
60k Hyphenation
60-l Plurals
60m Apostrophes to Indicate Omissions
60n Possessives
61. Spelling List
PART
VII: Diction
Introduction: Style and the Larger Elements of Composition
62. About Dictionaries
62a Kinds of Dictionaries
62b Features of Dictionaries
62c Three Sample Dictionary Entries
63. Level
63a Slang
63b Informal, Colloquial
63c "Fine
Writing"
64. Figurative Language
64a Inappropriate Metaphors
64b Overextended Metaphors
64c Dead Metaphors
64d Mixed Metaphors
65. Concrete and Abstract Diction; Weak Generalizations
65a Concreteness and Specificity
65b Weak Generalizations
66.
Connotation and Denotation
67. Euphemism
68. Wrong Word
69. Idiom
70. Wordiness, Jargon, and Associated Problems
70a Wordiness
70b Repetition
70c Redundancy
70d Ready-Made Phrases
70e Triteness, Clichés
70f Overuse of
Nouns
70g Nouns Used as Adjectives
70h Jargon
71. Usage: A Checklist of Troublesome Words and Phrases
PART VIII: Research, Writing, and Documentation
72. Finding Resources
72a Libraries
72b The Internet
73. The Research Plan
73a
Academic Proposals
73b A Preliminary Bibliography
73c A Working Bibliography
74. Taking Notes
74a The Note Itself
74b The Source
74c The Slug
74d Recording Your Own Ideas
75. Writing the Essay
75a Keeping Track of Notes in Your Drafts
76.
Acknowledging Sources
76a "Common Knowledge"
77. Quotation, Paraphrase, Summary, and Plagiarism
77a Legitimate Paraphrase
77b Illegitimate Paraphrase
77c Paraphrase and Quotation Mixed
77d Summary
77e Maintaining Academic Integrity and Avoiding
Plagiarism
77f Integrating and Contextualizing Quotations
78. Documentation
78a The Name-Page Method (MLA Style)
78b The Name-Date Method (APA Style)
78c The Note Method (Chicago Style)
78d The Number Method
Appendix: Checklist for Use in Revising, Editing, and
Proofreading
Omnibus Checklist for Planning and Revising
Specialized Checklist for Writers with English as an Additional Language
Index
Student Resources:
· Exercises (which correspond to the Online Exercise icon in the Handbook)
· Solutions to the Exercises
· 10 Self-Grading Grammar Quizzes
Instructor Resources:
· Diagnostic Writing and Grammar Test Bank
o For instructors to use for diagnostic
purposes at the start of the term to identify the areas for which students require more instruction and practice.
o Divided into 10 topic categories: Writing Process; Unity and Coherence; Writing Effective Sentences; Parts of Speech; Diction; Word Choice; the Comma; Punctuation; Spelling Rules;
and Academic Integrity.
o Each topic category has 15-20 multiple-choice questions.
· Teaching Materials (10 documents, including additional assignments, to support teaching and use of the handbook)
William E. Messenger and Jan de Bruyn (both now deceased), both professors emeriti of the University of British Columbia, produced the first edition of The Canadian Writer's Handbook (main volume) in 1980. Judy Brown (now deceased) joined the project as an editorial consultant on the third
edition; she was senior instructor and associate head in the English department at UBC. Ramona Montagnes is the former head of the Writing Centre at UBC, where she taught composition courses for the Writing Centre and the English Department.
The Canadian Writer's Handbook - William E. Messenger, Jan de Bruyn and Judy Brown
The Canadian Writer's Handbook - William E. Messenger, Jan de Bruyn, Judy Brown and Ramona Montagnes
