The Broadview Pocket Guide to Writing

This concise volume brings together essential material from the full Broadview Guide to Writing. Included are summaries of key grammatical points and a reference guide to basic grammar; a glossary of usage; tips on writing style; a guide to bias-free writing; coverage of punctuation and writing mechanics; helpful advice on Internet research; and much more.

About the Author :
Doug Babington was until recently Director of the Writing Centre at Queen's University, and the author of articles both on writing and on literature. Don LePan's other books include The Broadview Pocket Glossary of Literary Terms (2013) and Rising Stories: A Novel (2015). Maureen Okun is a professor in both the English and the Liberal Studies Departments at Vancouver Island University; her most recent book is an edition of Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte Darthur: Selections (2014).

Review :
"The Broadview Guide" remains the most readable writing guide available—at any price. It’s the only usage guide I’ve ever actually read for fun. Moreover, it’s sensible, and it’s complete. The authors assume nothing, but they don’t condescend. … The 6th edition gives more space to the problems of gender, race, and class-biased language; most guides don’t direct enough of our attention here. The new chapter on visual literacy is also good—an interesting group of paintings & photographs along with a set of clear, concrete ways to ‘read’ them.--Jacky Bolding … The new edition offers a concise thinking-through of the basic stages of developing an essay, together with reference sections on grammar and usage that cover everything I would ever point out in student writing. … The section on MLA style covers pretty much everything anyone needs to know about how to deploy this system of documentation…The sections on academic writing are very good. I like the discussion of the currents of debate about what critical writing is in fact doing; and in the more specific “English Studies” section the book offers very sound, practical direction about how to approach a literary text in search of an argument. Throughout, the examples are very good; things are specific and well explained.--Bruce Greenfield "The Broadview Guide to Writing" is a carefully organized manual that will prove useful and engaging to instructors and students alike. In a market replete with writing guides, this practical book stands out by using a voice that speaks to learners and that positions itself with attitude and convictions in relation to writing practices. … "The Guide"—and that is its strength—re-energizes this pedagogical field by providing clear and concise explanations supported by examples.--Anne Quema "The Broadview Guide to Writing" is an excellent choice for undergraduates new to academic writing and for experienced writers who teach them.…. The expanded coverage of the sixth edition [makes] this not only a comprehensive writing guide, but also a valuable introduction to communication and critical thinking in today’s academic world. I will be recommending this text to students at all levels.--Maria DiCenzo Perhaps the most appealing feature of the new "Broadview Guide to Writing" is its positive tone. … The focus is on writing as a process of experimentation and discovery. … A section on how language both reflects and shapes reality, called “How to Be Good with Words,” is thought-provoking and sensitive while discussing potentially difficult issues. … Overall, the book is comprehensive, balanced, and engaging. I enjoyed reading it, and I rarely say that about handbooks and guides to writing. I'm sure students will find this book helpful and inspiring.--Candace Fertile Comments on the full Broadview Guide to Writing: "The Broadview Guide remains the most readable writing guide available--at any price. It's the only usage guide I've ever actually read for fun. Moreover, it's sensible, and it's complete. The authors assume nothing, but they don't condescend. ... The 6th edition gives more space to the problems of gender, race, and class-biased language; most guides don't direct enough of our attention here. The new chapter on visual literacy is also good--an interesting group of paintings & photographs along with a set of clear, concrete ways to 'read' them." -- Jacky Bolding, University of the Fraser Valley ..". an excellent choice.... The expanded coverage of the sixth edition [makes] this not only a comprehensive writing guide, but also a valuable introduction to communication and critical thinking in today's academic world. I will be recommending this text to students at all levels." -- Maria DiCenzo, Wilfrid Laurier University "[The] reference sections on grammar and usage ... cover everything I would ever point out in student writing.... The section on MLA style covers pretty much everything anyone needs to know about how to deploy this system of documentation.... The sections on academic writing are [also] very good." -- Bruce Greenfield, Dalhousie University "In a market replete with writing guides, this practical book stands out.... The [Broadview] Guide ... re-energizes this pedagogical field by providing clear and concise explanations supported by examples." -- Anne Quema, Acadia University "[The new] section on how language both reflects and shapes reality ... is thought-provoking and sensitive.... Overall, the book is comprehensive, balanced, and engaging. I enjoyed reading it, and I rarely say that about handbooks and guides to writing. I'm sure students will find this book helpful and inspiring." -- Candace Fertile, Camosun College Comments on the full "Broadview Guide to Writing": “"The Broadview Guide to Writing" is an excellent choice for undergraduates new to academic writing and for experienced writers who teach them.… The expanded coverage of the sixth edition [makes] this not only a comprehensive writing guide, but also a valuable introduction to communication and critical thinking in today’s academic world. I will be recommending this text to students at all levels.” — Maria DiCenzo, Wilfrid Laurier University “"The Broadview Guide" remains the most readable writing guide available—at any price. It’s the only usage guide I’ve ever actually read for fun. Moreover, it’s sensible, and it’s complete. The authors assume nothing, but they don’t condescend. … The 6th edition gives more space to the problems of gender, race, and class-biased language; most guides don’t direct enough of our attention here. The new chapter on visual literacy is also good—an interesting group of paintings & photographs along with a set of clear, concrete ways to ‘read’ them.” — Jacky Bolding, University of the Fraser Valley “… The new edition offers a concise thinking-through of the basic stages of developing an essay, together with reference sections on grammar and usage that cover everything I would ever point out in student writing. … The section on MLA style covers pretty much everything anyone needs to know about how to deploy this system of documentation…The sections on academic writing are very good. I like the discussion of the currents of debate about what critical writing is in fact doing; and in the more specific “English Studies” section the book offers very sound, practical direction about how to approach a literary text in search of an argument. Throughout, the examples are very good; things are specific and well explained.” — Bruce Greenfield, Dalhousie University “"The Broadview Guide to Writing" is a carefully organized manual that will prove useful and engaging to instructors and students alike. In a market replete with writing guides, this practical book stands out by using a voice that speaks to learners and that positions itself with attitude and convictions in relation to writing practices. … "The Guide"—and that is its strength—re-energizes this pedagogical field by providing clear and concise explanations supported by examples.” — Anne Quema, Acadia University “Perhaps the most appealing feature of the new "Broadview Guide to Writing" is its positive tone. … The focus is on writing as a process of experimentation and discovery. … A section on how language both reflects and shapes reality, called “How to Be Good with Words,” is thought-provoking and sensitive while discussing potentially difficult issues. … Overall, the book is comprehensive, balanced, and engaging. I enjoyed reading it, and I rarely say that about handbooks and guides to writing. I'm sure students will find this book helpful and inspiring.” — Candace Fertile, Camosun College