Customer Reviews

Ready Reference Handbook, The (4th Edition) (MyCompLab Series)

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Dr. Dodds' latest edition (fourth) has had some major updates since I first purchased a copy of his second edition. He has improved on what I thought was a good reference back then. I am a now Computer Systems Administrator by trade, but an old Aerospace Engineer (slide rule days) by training. In my current job, I still have to write various reports, minutes and summaries of computer software. I found the second edition useful to remind me of all the proper usage that had faded from my memory. I received a copy of the fourth edition and was pleased with the improvements. The biggest, and most important change in my mind, has been the inclusion of extensive references to the Internet. With shrinking school funding, some smaller school libraries actually have few books. Instead they rely almost solely on computers and the Internet for the students' research. This latest edition builds on the Internet and its proper use in research. There is a companion web site for the book. This web site expands specific topics in the book with tutorials and in-depth discussions from other university web sites. These topics are listed in his book with the "Dove bar" mouse icon in the margin. The ease of Internet research brings up the topic of Internet plagiarism. This gets a full treatment by Dr. Dodds. Document, document and document your sources to avoid the "cut-and-paste" plagiarism. While the book may seem a bit on the expensive side, it is the complete reference for today's Internet student. It would be the only one I would use. That and my desk is cluttered enough without having to use multiple references. Highly recommended.

Years ago, I looked over nearly 20 handbooks before settling on this one. This text has reached a 4th edition for a reason: Dodds solicits feedback from teacher-users and makes meaningful changes. I have used it in both freshman and upper-level comp courses, and advise students to hang onto the book after the course is over, for reference as professionals. Excellent sections on usage, logic, and different stylistic formats. It's gotten pricey, but is still worth the tag.