A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker

A Writer’s Reference, Fifth Edition by Diana Hacker

Copyright: 2003 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Boston, MA 02116

This book is a companion volume to the electronic link by which Diana Hacker skillfully leads the aspiring writer into success.

As such, it is an interactive teaching tool for beginners, as well as a reference for professional writers who may want to fine-tune their skills.

A case in point is the heading on page 3 which refers to the planning stage. This introduces topics of subject, available resources, the purpose of writing, and deadlines.

Even for beginning writers, Diana Hacker starts her reference book with an emphasis on professional techniques. The book moves quickly and effectively through the various stages of creating structure. She discusses this with the assumption that her readers are highly intelligent people.

Because the book is interactive, there are various points during the written discussions where electronic exercises are suggested.

These exercises are recommended as ways to practice what the tutorials have been saying. They can be found at www.dianahacker.com/writersref

This website is broken down into the components of writing, grammar, research, language, and documentation.

There is also a links library for further assistance, and a feature which shows model papers to demonstrate how good writing should look.

A Writer’s Reference is more than a book to read about good writing. When combined with its companion website, it serves as a way to actually rehearse clarity, punctuation, and describing the views of others, to name just a few.

Its 465 pages are full of apparently every conceivable idea about which a writer might want to know.

The book’s structure is alphabetized as a source of convenience. There are sections on composing and revising, document and design, sentence style selection, and word choice.

These sections provide an overview of the fundamental knowledge every writer needs.

Toward the end of the book A Writer’s Reference, the mechanics of research are also thoroughly covered.

One of the styles of academic research covered is the Modern Language Association (MLA). This is significant for beginning writers who are in college since English instructors predominantly require this style for basic college papers.

For more advanced writers, the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Chicago Style (CMS) are also included by Diana Hacker.

That A Writer’s Reference is spiral-bound also indicates an understanding by the author about the needs of writers.

Because the book lies flat, it can be accessed easily while the writer or student is typing or taking notes.

With her book A Writer’s Reference, then, Diana Hacker has truly given aspiring writers the key to success.