This is a handbook for writers. It begins by discussing what writing is and how to do it well. It goes on to offer suggestions for writing essays, papers, and reports in different disciplines and for taking essay exams. It shows how an understanding of words and sentences, paragraphs and punctuation, grammar and usage helps writers with the work of writing.
We wrote The Scribner Handbook for Writers because we wished to create a college handbook that be useful not only as a refference guide to grammar and language, but also as a guide to writing. We wanted to provide an accurate and comprehensive demonstration of how writers actually write. The discussions of writing we found in other handbooks seemed to oversimplify the often messy and complex process of writing. Instead of the realities of writing---and its intimate connections with reading and thinking---we found formulas and procedures that described a finished product rather than a method for showing students how to become involved successfully in the intricate and exciting process of writing college essays.
Part 1 The Writing, Reading, Thinking Connection
Part 2 The Essay
Part 3 Paragraphs
Part 4 Grammar
Part 5 Clear and Effective Sentences
Part 6 Sentence Style
Part 7 Words
Part 8 Punctuation and Mechanics
Part 9 Research
Part 10 Writing in the Disciplines
Part 11 Writing for Special Purposes