Writers Can Read!
Let’s face it, citing sources can be confusing. If you are writing anything in the fields of science, business, or other academic areas, knowing how to properly cite something can be the life or death of your work. Even if you are writing a novel and you put an inspirational quote from another author’s work at the beginning of your chapter, they say it must be cited.
As a student in University, citing sources in my papers has become an everyday know-how. Grammar, on the other hand, is something I still struggle with (sorry to the people who read my work). What if there was a book that could help with not only citing sources in the proper formats, but also give you tips on grammar? Well, it’s your lucky day, because through some careful searching (in my personal library) I found one! I present to you… A Pocket Style Manual by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers.
Once upon a time, one of my English professors recommended getting this guide. Sure enough, it has been a life saver! Not only does A Pocket Style Manual help with citing sources and grammar, but it also helps with word and sentence clarity, punctuation, mechanics, and with research. It gives important details on citing your sources in MLA, APA, Chicago, and CSE styles, as well as how to format your writings in said styles. One thing to note, is that it is designed to be small so you can take it wherever and whenever creative ideas hit your mind! I only own the 6th edition, but there are newer editions out there. Rereading this manual has opened my eyes to a lot of mistakes I tend to make while writing...
So, during this Study-up September, take a minute to read and study up on this wonderful guide! Let us know if this guide has helped you with your writings in the comments or on our Facebook page! And remember, writing does not have to be hard. Sometimes all you need is a push in the right direction (sometimes that push is a nice coffee and a chance for your overworked brain to relax). Inspiration will come to you! Don’t give up!
This Blog Posting was approved by Hagar (office cat extraordinaire).
