Little, Brown Handbook, The, Brief Edition, 7th edition

For first-year courses in composition.

The platinum standard of handbooks unmatched in accuracy, currency and reliability

The Little, Brown Handbook, Brief is designed around the assumption that reading and writing are deeply intertwined and that addressing students' challenges with reading can directly improve their writing. Suitable for students with minimal academic writing experience, the text answers questions of writing process, grammar and style for users of all levels.

The 7th Edition combines reliable, authoritative coverage of grammar, style and mechanics with a new focus on critical reading and writing with sources.

Hallmark features of this title

Organized to help inexperienced writers and handbook users succeed

• Coverage of frequently asked questions appears at the start of the text and the start of each chapter.
• Key Terms boxes define grammar terms on the same page they're used, while more than 50 checklist and summary boxes reinforce key concepts throughout.

Time-tested clarity and usability

• The text retains trademark coverage of clarity, style, grammar, mechanics, and documentation.
• More than 120 exercises draw on content from across disciplines (with answers provided to starred items).

Guidance for culturally, linguistically diverse writers

• Culture and Language notes throughout provide rhetorical and grammatical help for students whose first language or dialect is not standard American English.
• Free download: The Pearson Guide to the 2021 MLA Handbook.

New and updated features of this title

• NEW: Over 60 new student writing samples include short works and progress to full papers. All student samples are curated to feature topics and sources relevant to current student interests.
• NEW: Chicago Manual of Style and CSE documentation has been added.
• REVISED: Part 1, “Reading and Writing in College,” has been completely reorganized to focus on critical reading skills and their application in source-based academic writing.
  • NEW: Chapter 1, “Reading to Learn,” a new chapter that demonstrates key reading strategies for students, emphasizing working with difficult, high-level texts.
  • NEW: Chapter 2, “Writing to Learn,” illustrates the use of analysis, annotation, collaboration, note-taking, and summary in not only reading but writing.

• REVISED: Part 2, “Writing with Sources” has been completely reorganized to tie new critical reading skills more strongly into the writing process, with a focus on how college students engage and negotiate texts.