English Essentials (book only)
Overview
Grammar books can be really dull. But they don't have to be. English Essentials is a TP text that makes grammar, punctuation, and usage interesting with pictures, stories, and activities students will enjoy. It also helps prepare students for standardized writing tests by including activities that resemble the format of widely-used tests.
*Note: English Essentials is not available for the college market; a version of the book has been published by McGraw-Hill for that audience.
More information
Educators, please click here to request a desk copy.
Key Features
Personal photos and stories. The authors write, "As teachers, we sometimes felt we were leading our students on a death march when we moved them through a traditional grammar text. So we have added a strong human dimension to this book by illustrating the grammar skills with photos and stories of interesting people from all walks of life."
Ease of use. The chapters are self-contained, and many begin with a one-page review that presents the basics of a given skill. Explanations are written in simple, familiar language. An inviting two-color design has been used throughout. And the book's tone is friendly and helpful.
Abundant practice. The book is based on the assumption that students learn best when clear explanations are followed by abundant practice. For each chapter in Part One, there are three full-page activities and five full-page tests. The last two tests are designed to resemble standardized tests and permit easy grading, including the use of Scantron sheets.
Engaging materials. In addition to the photos and true stories, lively and engaging examples and practice materials will help maintain student interest throughout the book.
Preparation for standardized tests. A number of tests in the book resemble standardized tests, so students can practice a skill and become comfortable with the format in which a skill is tested. For example, click here to see one of the five tests that conclude a chapter on run-ons and comma splices.
Inclusiveness. In addition to full coverage of grammar, punctuation, and usage skills, the book includes a brief guide to writing; writing assignments; practice in the key skill of proofreading; and coverage of spelling, parts of speech, and dictionary use.
Superior supplements. Included at no charge to instructors adopting the book for class use are all of the following: an Instructor's Edition, a combined Instructor's Manual and Test Bank, a Student Answer Key, and online exercises.
Table of Contents
Introduction
•About the Book
•Becoming a Better Writer
•Writing Assignments
PART ONE: Fourteen Basic Skills
1. Subjects and Verbs
2. Irregular Verbs
3. Subject-Verb Agreement
4. Sentence Types
5. Fragments I
6. Fragments II
7. Run-Ons and Comma Splices I
8. Run-Ons and Comma Splices II
9. The Comma
10. The Apostrophe
11. Quotation Marks
12. Homonyms
13. Capital Letters
14. Parallelism
PART TWO: Extending the Skills
1. Preparing a Paper
2. Punctuation Marks
3. Pronoun Forms
4. Pronoun Problems
5. Adjectives and Adverbs
6. Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
7. Word Choice
8. Numbers and Abbreviations
9. More about Subjects and Verbs
10. More about Subject-Verb Agreement
11. More about Verbs
12. Even More about Verbs
13. More about Run-Ons and Comma Splices
14. More about Commas
15. More about Apostrophes
16. More about Quotation Marks
17. More about Homonyms
18. More about Capital Letters
PART THREE: Proofreading
PART FOUR: Related Matters