Rating: 
Summary: Good with some reservations
Review: "thadduesh" makes some excellent observations about the referential gaps in this work. His evaluation is nothing short of brilliant and incisive. On a less substantive note, I would add only that the reference does not function very well as a teaching tool unless the student already has a solid basic understanding of grammar. The supplemental excersises help students identify problems but rarely provide enough practice and drill to correct them. In short, Hacker's work best serves the writer who arrives to it with only minor issues to address.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Have for Any Serious Writer
Review: A Writer's Reference is a must have for any serious writer. As a full time university student majoring in Writing and minoring in English this book is my life. It was a required text for my very first class at the college level, and the professor told us that if we could keep only one book in our college careers this would be the one to keep. Thank God I listened. I couldn't live or write well without it.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have for Any Serious Writer
Review: A Writer's Reference is a must have for any serious writer. As a full time university student majoring in Writing and minoring in English this book is my life. It was a required text for my very first class at the college level, and the professor told us that if we could keep only one book in our college careers this would be the one to keep. Thank God I listened. I couldn't live or write well without it.
Rating:
Summary: This is the most user-friendly reference book I have tried.
Review: After reviewing reference books for ease of use and for updated information, this is the one I found to be the best. Even though it is written with college students in mind, it is wonderful for high school students and non student writers alike. We have incorporated it into our curriculum references. Because it is not cumbersome, makes it used instead of avoided.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent writing support...
Review: All students at Manchester College, IN, (where I teach) are expected to own and use a copy of this extremely helpful, user friendly reference guide to writing. The spiral bound format of the book is outstanding, since someone can have it open as they type, or jot down notes, or thoughts. The book is organized into three major sections: 1) Composition/Style, 2) Correctness, and 3) Format/Basic grammar. Each of those major sections are subdivided into four supporting subsections as follows: Composition/Style -- 1) Composing and revising, 2) Research writing, 3) Effective sentences, and 4) Word Choice. Correctness -- 1) Grammatical sentences, 2) ESL Trouble spots, 3) Punctuation, and 4) Spelling and mechanics. Format/Basic Grammar -- 1) Document design, 2) MLA documentation, 3) Alternative styles of documentation, and 4) Basic grammar. In addition to those sections, there are tutorials at the front of the book that helps the user get the best benefit from support available in the book. There are also ESL hints throughout the text, not just in the section dedicated to ESL challenges. The index is helpful, there are several URLs at the back of the book where a writer can go for more help, and there is even a page that shows revision symbols. There are ample examples throughout, and anyone who conscientiously applies the lessons in this book will become a better writer. This is a top-flight book with great things to offer everyone -- from struggling first-year college students taking their first composition class to the polished professional writer. The strengths of this text made this book the top choice to support our writing across the curriculum program at Manchester College. Many other colleges and universities also use this great book. 5 stars for utility and support. Alan Holyoak, Dept of Biology, Manchester College, IN
Rating:
Summary: Well organized and comprehensive
Review: As a field technician and computer professional, part of my job was to write daily project reports and monthly summary reports. I read through this book for a Ph.D. supervised sociology course with a mandatory journalism assignment, and it was a thorough review of important fundamentals that we all tend to forget over time. It is well organized and indexed for quick look-up reference. I've decided to keep it for my personal reference library, because it is too comprehensive for just one reading. I also like the reviews I was reading for Rebecca Burnett's book "Technical Communication."
Rating: 
Summary: Very Useful Reference
Review: As a technical writer, I frequently use the book as a reference for MLA citations. As an editor, I use the book to resolve conflicts on the use of colons, enumerated lists, and acronyms. This is one of the few books I've found with a robust section on citing online references.
Rating:
Summary: This book is the First Aid Manual for Every Serious Writer.
Review: As an English instructor, I have mulled over various texts in the search for the most student and instructor accessible book. My search ended when I found Professor Hacker's A Writer's Reference. This concise work includes introduction to grammar and style, a review of the basics, and an extensive guide to research. My colleagues and I agree that Professor Hacker's book should be required as a resource in English courses. The book is true to its title; it is a writer's reference.
Rating:
Summary: This is a "must have" writer or editor's tool.
Review: Describing the contents of one of the most beneficial grammar books I study is difficult, though it is easy to read, research, check, verify, and use. Diana Hacker has written many books to help people understand and use the English language in the correct way. This is a heritage that also protects the language for future generations, just as dictionaries do. The Main Menu is divided into topics and the sections that relate to it. Within each of these is a category breakdown, as follows: Composition/Style:
(C) Composing and revising, (D) Document Design, (E) Effective sentences, and (W) Word Choices.
Correctness:
(G) Grammatical sentences, (T) ESL Trouble spots, (P) Punctuation, and (S) Spelling and mechanics.
Research/ Basic Grammar:
(R) Research Writing, (M) MLA documentation, (A) Alternative styles of documentation, and (B) Basic grammar. The index is also helpful. I selected a topic at random--adjective phrases: (1) Infinite, 350, (2) participle, 349, (3) prepositional, 348-349, (4) punctuation of, 198, 205. The format displays what type of information is on that page. (1) Page 350 is B for basic grammar information, as are 348 and 349. Pages 98 and 205 are P or punctuation.
This book is on my desk, and is one of the most useful tools I own. I cannot recommend it enough. Any serious writer, editor, or student needs it. 5 stars. Victoria Tarrani
Rating:
Summary: This is a "must have" writer or editor's tool.
Review: Describing the contents of one of the most beneficial grammar books I study is difficult, though it is easy to read, research, check, verify, and use. Diana Hacker has written many books to help people understand and use the English language in the correct way. This is a heritage that also protects the language for future generations, just as dictionaries do. The Main Menu is divided into topics and the sections that relate to it. Within each of these is a category breakdown, as follows: Composition/Style:
(C) Composing and revising, (D) Document Design, (E) Effective sentences, and (W) Word Choices.
Correctness:
(G) Grammatical sentences, (T) ESL Trouble spots, (P) Punctuation, and (S) Spelling and mechanics.
Research/ Basic Grammar:
(R) Research Writing, (M) MLA documentation, (A) Alternative styles of documentation, and (B) Basic grammar. The index is also helpful. I selected a topic at random--adjective phrases: (1) Infinite, 350, (2) participle, 349, (3) prepositional, 348-349, (4) punctuation of, 198, 205. The format displays what type of information is on that page. (1) Page 350 is B for basic grammar information, as are 348 and 349. Pages 98 and 205 are P or punctuation.
This book is on my desk, and is one of the most useful tools I own. I cannot recommend it enough. Any serious writer, editor, or student needs it. 5 stars. Victoria Tarrani
| 
