Keys for Writers: A Brief Handbook

Rating:
Summary: More than a textbook
Review: "Keys for Writers," a handbook that guides its reader through basic, and some advance composition skills. This handbook has been helpful for me not only in composition, but for other means as well. "Keys for Writers" is a lively, and handy textbook that is packed from cover to cover with information, easy to read pages and can be used for multiple purposes.
In the introduction (preface) of "Keys for Writers" Ann Raimes (author) explains that she began writing the first edition of the text over a decade ago. As a teacher she did not like that students could not use their textbooks for the questions they had, so she decided to write a textbook of her own, "Keys for Writers". Raimes tested the book while she wrote it. Her class used the books, she used student surveys, and feedback from other teachers. Raimes feels "the best handbook is the one that students will use and the one that best keeps pace with students' changing needs." The third of edition to "Keys for Writers" added a new section on evaluating sources. It updates and expands technology coverage, MLA and APA documentation guidelines, new coverage of CGOS, CBE and Chicago guidelines. It gives new material on avoiding plagiarism, expands section on argument.
This handbook is a small, and comfortable book. A binder holds its pages together. Unlike a hardcover book with a spine, the binder makes the pages easier to flip and read or Xerox pages. Able to keep this book handy; because it is small, one can store it in a book bag or carry because it is not too heavy, and does not take up a lot of room.
Although it is a small book it holds a lot of information. It helpfully guides one through many tasks. Broken up into ten parts, the book gives detailed examples on everything from the writing process to common sentence problems and doing research to technology for communication, document design and work. The book is kind of like a how-to book, because of it's precise direction, and instruction. In the start of the book it tells you step by step how to follow the writing process. Getting started and finding a focus is the first step it gives, followed by developing and organizing ideas, revising and editing, writing an argument and thinking critically, and writing in all your courses. For each step it gives examples on how to proceed. Part two of the book tells how to evaluate sources, and doing research papers. Giving description on how to search online, citations, how to fit quotations in a sentence, and more, it gives a broad sense of how to do research. Part three is helpful to all college students who have to follow the MLA format for essays.
Parts six and seven of "Keys for Writers" grabbed my attention the most. Writing style is covered in chapter six giving the "5 C's of Style": cut, check for action, connect, commit, and choose your words. Part seven gives common sentence problems. This part gives the top ten sentence problems including fragments, run-ons and comma splices, snarls verbs, passive voice, subject-verb agreement, pronouns, adjectives and adverbs and relative clauses and relative pronouns. Both parts give outstanding examples and charts for direction.
I found that "Keys for Writers" could be used for multiple purposes other than an English composition class. As a college student it is always a good thing when one could find things that relate in each class. With the "Keys for Writers" handbook I found I could use the book in my political science, and economic classes as well. With the handbook I was able to refer to it when writing professional e-mails to my teachers and do better research.
The tone of this book was set at a comfortable level. No jargon or slang was used, and terms were not too technical, where one could not understand. It gave clear, good examples, which were straight to the point. Students often are given books that are filled with jargon, and technical terms, they cannot understand. This book is different, it gives all the information one needs in a respectable tone for students and teachers.
"Keys for Writers" is a lively and attractive textbook. The handbook is bright, colorful, and organized really well. It resembles a well-kept notebook for a college student. Equipped with tabs, tables, and bright bold print, this book would grab a students' attention. A well organized book is good for students to help them remember what they learned. All important things are highlighted and bold.
Although this was a good textbook, the price was a bit much. (...) The book was very helpful, but it did not have any exercises for the student do for themselvess. A seperate workbook must be bought. The workbook however, is not as much as the text. I have not used the workbook for myself, but have heard that is helpful. This is an overall good textbook. because it is so valuable, and well crafted, one may be willing to pay the expensive price for "Keys for Writers."

Rating:
Summary: A Dope Buy...Check it Out!
Review: Ann Raimes' Keys for Writers is a comprehensive, clever, well-coordinated tool for learning and teaching. As a student, I have been through numerous English courses with substandard textbooks. The information within this handbook is valuable and effective for anyone from beginning to advanced writers. Like anything in an imperfect world, the book does have its deficiencies and drawbacks however. Judging from past writing books and what I have learned thus far from this book, it has demonstrated to be the most informative, handy, and efficient. This high praise is due to Keys for Writers's convenient layout, simple maneuverability, constructive teachings, and trouble-free comprehension.
First off, allow me to run through the books few, minor weaknesses. My initial criticism was the spiral binding. I have had the book for merely seven weeks and already pages have begun to tear at the binding. This approach was a poor decision since it weakens the book, which usually goes through a rough life of being tossed, squashed, and bent. Also, there is a lack of pictures. It's understandable that it may be difficult to utilize visuals in an English text, but the primary purpose is to offer an interesting example. This is a very effectual method of keeping the consumer's attention. Another downside, at least from a teacher's standpoint, is the missing exercises and problems. Coming from a student's perspective however, I am not complaining at all! Keys for Writers has minimal flaws, which adds to its credibility as a fine textbook.
The book's traditional arrangement with unique advancements allow for rather uncomplicated navigation. With a flip of the cover, you are encountered by a general directory to what lies ahead. The book is first broken up into two categories: the "Writing Process" and "Sentence-Level Issues". It further divides the text into ten separate sections and specifies the pages of each main idea within the divisions. On the right hand side of the pages there are tabs identifying where each of these sections begins. This is distinctive feature that most books don't have provides for the simple navigation. The book is concluded with an extensive index followed by the table of contents. Conventionally the table of contents is found in the introduction of books, but this poses no threat to this one's worthiness.
The information Ann Raimes poured into her book is extremely practical and beneficial. There is an entire section devoted to teaching the MLA documentation style. She keeps each way of documenting a source short and sweet, but all of them are backed with a helpful example. This section is proceeded by one dedicated to the other types of documentation including APA, CBE, Chicago, and CGOS. What I found most helpful was the tips on evaluating who your audience is and overcoming the notorious writer's block. These are located in the first section which I feel is very necessary. Keys for Writers covers writing critically, essay exams, oral and lab reports, and business letters. It even touches on technological issues including e-mails, web site designs, visuals, and PowerPoint. Additionally, there is a portion that teaches the reader how to perform and evaluate research. This happens to be the first book I have come across to even mention this in detail. And this book has an entire chapter covering it. The majority of the second half of the text contributes the grammar portion. I thought I had learned all there is to know about grammar, but I was proven wrong. Being a somewhat experienced writer I was surprised how I still picked up things that I was unaware of. Furthermore, the glossary is complete and comes in hand often. The language used within the definitions is easy to read which lets you gain a better understanding.
Perhaps the cleverest of the book's construction is the multilingual section or the KeyTabs. Near the end of the text, Ann Raimes put together a piece that is principally aimed at multilingual students. This clears up most difficulties or misunderstandings that foreigners may have with the English language. This was an ingenious move by Raimes as these foreigners usually get overlooked and unaccounted for. The unique KeyTabs are included side notes that the consumer can use to mark a page or make a memo on. They are located in the rear of the book but are removable and can be placed wherever desired due to the binding. This lets one personalize their book and gives a quick reference if needed.
Overall, Keys for Writers establishes itself as a very commendable textbook that provides valuable information for a variety of consumers. From novice to developed writers, this book easily allows the student to learn. It is well worth the forty-five dollars you'll spend on a new edition of it. To teachers - lesson plans will be effortless to develop with the aid of this book and your students will greatly benefit for it. To students - this book will assist you and increase your chances at succeeding in your English course. It is strongly recommended by many others and me to purchase Keys for Writers.

Rating:
Summary: Short Assignment #3
Review: Keys for writers written by Ann Raimes, is useful reference book for students and scholars of all ages. Hitting on almost all major points of writing today, this book helps with everything from the documentation, grammar, and style. Being written very recently also allows the reader to use the handbook to research things such as how to site a website, website design, and even an area about online discussions. Raimes also goes into an area about multilingual writers. This is very helpful especially when attending a college that a majority of the people do not use English for their first language. Tips for these people on writing are easy to find and follow. Raimes hits many points throughout the whole book making it one of the best reference books for English that I have seen in a long time.

One of the hardest assignments in any age of schooling today is a research paper. There is a certain format that one must follow and many rules on how exactly to write the paper. This handbook helps students in these areas like research, documentation (both APA and MLA), and also punctuation and mechanics. Particularly on pages 125 through 158 I found great examples of documentation using the MLA format, in all types of ways. It is much easier to see an example written as Raimes has done, then to just be given a format. She even goes through how to document one or more authors, speeches and lectures, and translated books. Some of these things I never even knew existed. Many students, myself included find research very hard sometimes. Sure anyone can go onto the Internet type the main words of your search, but what do you do when 143,000 different references come up and which of these references are acceptable to use? On pages 72 through 120 Raimes gives specific examples of what kind of reference to use and where even to find these references. What makes it even nicer is that she breaks down her sources into subject so you can search quickly and efficiently. Research papers, including the one that I have due in December will be much easier to write with the help of this book.

Many students do not even know what style means when it comes to writing. I would bet that some thing that style only means the type of cloths you wear. Raimes goes into style very thoroughly. She even hits some great points with her table on the "Five C's of Style," on page 249. This table guides a writer with a series of questions to ask yourself before, after, and during the writing of a paper to keep your thoughts in order. Thoughts such as "is my paper wordy or repetitive," "could any of my language offend the reader," and "am I staying connected throughout the whole piece and not jumping from thought to thought without any transitions." These are often points that a writer overlooks and needs go through every time a paper is written. Hitting on the style aspect as well is the sentence structure through out a paper. Many times a writer will use the same word to start each sentence or misuse pronouns and verbs. This problem is helped in the "Common Sentence Problems" and the "Punctuation, Spelling, and Mechanics" areas of the handbook. These two sections go through some basic points and aspects of writing. Just as any other sport or hobby one must master the basics before becoming really good at what they do, and this is what Raimes hits on perfectly. She tells the writer to go with their ideas, but do not forget these basic rules and format that one must follow in the writing of any paper.

Some aspects of the book, not on a structure level that I found to be very good are the price and make up of the book. A book only costing around forty to fifty dollars that is going to get this much use throughout the years of high school, college, and beyond is almost impossible to find these days. I feel that the price was very reasonable and probably was the only book that I purchased the semester without cringing while reaching my hands into my pocket. Also the spiral binding makes it easy for a writer to flip through and keep open on one's desk while writing. The tabs for easy to find aspects and the small make up of the book make it great to carry around in a students backpack without weighing it down. If I had to bring up some negative points of the book I would say that Raimes does not give any exercises for one to practice the skills she is teaching and also a supplemental CD format for the computer would have been helpful. Many students today like to pop in a CD and sit on the computer to go through something. As a whole though I found Raimes' book to be very informative and helpful in my writing process and plan to keep this book very many years to come!