A Writer's Reference

by Diana Hacker

This is a guide to help you with composing, revising, puncuation, mechanics, grammatical sentences, documentation, effective sentences, word choices, basic grammer.

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

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Doug]

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]

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

[Marcy Winograd]

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

[Pam]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Nathan Beeler]

A bit outdated now, this reference book was still an excellent overview of the mechanisms of my native tongue. I read the section on punctuation twice, hoping to internalize comma, semi-colon, and quotation mark usage. I also skimmed the section on documentation, since I'm unlikely to ever need it. Wish I'd had this book in high school.

[Lisa Rector]

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]

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]

Comprehensive grammar and punctuation guide to the English language.

[Cait Spain]

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

[Andrew]

Thriller.

[CweenCarolyn]

She ate! So concise and clear

[R]

THE BEST COMPOSITION GUIDE EVER
i found this for free outside my library (a nancy sommers esl version) and it was like discovering gold.
Truly, don't sleep on this!

[Kiki]

*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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Letitia]

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

[Kay Sterner]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Wednesday]

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]

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