Keys for Writers: A Brief Handbook (English Composition College) [Spiral-bound]

Ann Raimes (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0395920647 | ISBN-13: 978-0395920640 | Publication Date: January 1999 | Edition: 2nd

This concise composition handbook offers innovative design features that make it the most accessible tabbed handbook available: moveable KeyTabs allow students to personalize the book, a menu-driven Key to the Book, and color-coded divider tabs help students find information quickly. Every copy comes with a free subscription to Digital Keys Online; an individualized password is automatically shrinkwrapped.

This thorough revision now offers a full-color design; substantial new material on evaluating sources and the use of technology for research and writing; expanded coverage of writing online and document design; the most up-to-date MLA, APA, Chicago, CBE, and CGOS guidelines; integrated ESL resources; and an expanded section on argument. Part 5, Technology: For Communication, Document Design, and Work, presents information on writing for online readers, e-mail discussion lists, and chatrooms. Ample illustrations—including a sample student web site and an online scannable resume—address web site and document design.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 453 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH); 2nd edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395920647
• ISBN-13: 978-0395920640
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ann Raimes was born and educated in England and the U.S. (University of London, Oxford University, and Cornell). A few years ago, she retired from full-time teaching at Hunter College, where she was a professor of English for thirty-two years. With its 21,000 ethnically diverse students, many of whom are immigrants or born to immigrant families, Hunter is known as "an urban leader in educating a diverse student body." In addition to teaching undergraduate composition courses, ESL writing courses, and graduate courses in rhetoric and composition, Ann was in charge of the Developmental English Program (1,500 students) for ten years and directed the first-year composition course (75+ sections), working with a colleague to establish and direct a still-thriving writing center. She also was a member of the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on the College Preparatory Initiative and served as one of the first Chairs of the CUNY ESL Council, Chair of the TESOL Publications Committee, and Chair of the CUNY ESL Task Force. Ann has also published many research and theoretical articles and has been a frequent presenter at conferences. Her articles have appeared in TESOL Quarterly, Language Learning, College English, College ESL, and other journals and anthologies. She is also the author of ten textbooks (writing, ESL, and grammar), many in several editions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clear, comprehensive, user-friendly writing guide, November 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Keys for Writers: A Brief Handbook (Spiral-bound)

Like a lot of college writing guides on the market, Keys for Writers has a convenient, small format and subject tabs that make finding the information you need easy. It's the only guide I know of, though, that packs in all the writing know-how you'll need in college, grad school, and at the start of your career.

Anyone can use the brainstorming and organizing tips this book gives you to jump-start a writing assignment. Most writing books lead you through the writing process just as well as this one does, but when it comes to the final draft, most don't go further than style hints and information on what size margins to use. Keys for Writers does much more: it teaches you to write and format everything from argumentative essays, lab reports and writing journals to business letters and resumes, with whole chapters devoted to Chicago and APA formats. Non-native English speakers will also find a chapter specifically designed to help them write--and it covers different cultures' approaches to writing in as much depth as grammar and vocabulary. Sidebars and boxes in every chapter give students valuable information on the writing process, covering everything from common spelling mistakes to how to find their own voice and the different approaches to take in different types of writing (literary, scientific, business...)

Definitely a good buy!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple to follow, worthwhile to return to, February 17, 2001

By 

Trent M. Nicholson "professor_nicholson" (Yucca Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Keys for Writers: A Brief Handbook (English Composition College) (Spiral-bound)

I have to look at dozens of these books every semester, and frankly mostly of them are less that impressive. Most lack organization or detail that make them useful or user friendly.

This is one of the few books that I find myself referring to and recommending repeatedly. Students from 16-60 tell me that this books is easy to follow. The book is well organized, clear, and consistent. For instance, if you need to find out how to do a Works Cited Page, this book walks you through it in a nearly fool-proof example.

After using this book for awhile, I found not only did I prefer using it, but I didn't have to keep explaining to my students how to do basic writing skills. I would tell them where to find something and they would pick it up.

Besides basic research information there are a number of tips on writing, structure, and organizing that my students have found helpful. It might be silly, but one of the things I like best about this book is it is small, ring bound, and is tabbed to its major parts. It seems someone finally figured out the key to a good writing reference guide is "easy access".

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Handy Reference, May 25, 2002

By 

Jeffrey Leeper "kem2070" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Keys for Writers: A Brief Handbook (English Composition College) (Spiral-bound)

This is a good reference for students to have when learning, or relearning, grammar and writing skills. The first part of the book discusses the writing process, documentation styles, and research. The second part goes into the mechanics of punctuation and grammar. In this latter part is a section devoted to ESL/multilingual writers, which points out various pitfalls in the English language.

As an instructor, my disappointment is that I can not use this book on its own for grammar and punctuation drills. There are no exercises in this book, although I believe there is an exercise book, which can be purchased separately.

From my students, I have found that students with a stronger grasp of grammar were not as fond of this book as those students who were struggling with grammar.

Although not my favorite handbook, this one is quite serviceable.