Pocket Keys for Writers [Spiral-bound]

Ann Raimes (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0618445463 | ISBN-13: 978-0618445462 | Publication Date: December 17, 2004 | Edition: 002

Pocket Keys for Writers, 2/e, is a handy reference tool that provides big writing help in a small package. This indispensable pocket-style handbook covers the essentials of the writing process, as well as research, documentation, evaluating print and electronic sources, punctuation, and mechanics. Written by a recognized leader in ESL instruction, Pocket Keys is an excellent resource for ESL writers, with a strong ESL section and ESL notes throughout the text. In short, the text delivers concise, up-to-date, and practical information in a highly accessible, reasonably priced format. The Second Edition of Pocket Keys retains the hallmark Keys organization and use of color, as well as Key Points boxes and the popular Five C's of Style. Also in this edition, material on using visuals in written projects helps students enhance the impact of their documents. Coverage of research and documentation includes using online databases and evaluating web sites.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 002 edition (December 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618445463
• ISBN-13: 978-0618445462
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #549,802 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

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Raimes's book is logically organized, June 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pocket Keys For Writers (English Composition College) (Spiral-bound)

I am a teacher and, in the past, have consistently used Diana Hacker's writing guides. While Hacker still rules the genre, I have recently begun using Raimes's pocket manual. The elements of her book are well organized. For example, her section dealing with style is organized around the five "C's" (Cut; Check for Action; Connect; Commit; and Choose Vivid, Appropriate, and Inclusive Words), thereby effectively grouping numerous editing tasks into just a few main concepts. Granted, a couple of these guidelines are forced into "C" words , but the clear categories are useful for students.

Also, I often find Hacker's pocket manual ineffective regarding some sentence-level difficulties such as faulty predication and general syntax problems. Raimes deals with these problems clearly, and even includes a useful category called "sentence snarls."

Raimes's book isn't as well made (in terms of paper quality and binding) as Hacker's, but I'm hoping future editions will rectify this problem. This manual has all the basics, and it's user friendly for students and instructors who like guides that operate on a "code" system (i.e., 17a for point of view, 18C for biased language, and 27b for possessive apostrophes). There's a lot of these on the market, and sometimes they all seem the same. Nevertheless, Raimes's book, as a newcomer, stands out among the rest.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So Convenient, February 3, 2001

By 

Robert Morris (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pocket Keys For Writers (English Composition College) (Spiral-bound)

This may seem an odd reason for rating this book so highly but here it is: At a time when executives rely so heavily on technologies (rather than on administrative assistants, secretaries, etc.) to process their communications, there is a great need for a convenient and mobile single-source of information to consult when composing whatever it is that needs to be communicated. E-mails, for example. Raimes has assembled essential information about the writing process, using sources, documenting sources, common sentence problems, punctuation and mechanics, and advice for multilingual/ESL writers. She also provides glossaries and an index. The book itself is about the size of a pocket secretary but will probably be transported within an attache case where it requires very little space. It can be taken anywhere. One of its most valuable features is the attention Raimes devotes to incorrect or ineffective sentences. The corrections point out errors, of course, but also illustrate which sentences are crisp as well as grammatically correct...and which are not. Will this little booklet tell you everything you need to know about grammar, punctuation, and usage? Of course not. But it will certainly help you to communicate your ideas with greater clarity.

If your problems with writing are REALLY severe, I suggest that you invest in the services of a local schoolteacher. Specifically, one who reminds you of that tyrant you will never forget when you were in 3rd or 4th grade. In my school, we called her "Miss Fussy." She could spot a dangling modifier, split infinitive, or a run-on sentence in the next county. Trust me, time spent with Ann Raimes will be much more enjoyable.

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful Tool, November 16, 2011

By 

DJ Pink "D&J Pink" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pocket Keys for Writers (Spiral-bound)

I am a college student and an English major. This is a big help when I need it! For the price I couldn't go wrong!