A handbook is primarily a reference tool for information about grammar and mechanics. A grammar is a description of the way native speakers use a language. It emphasizes syntax (the ways in which words are put together to form phrases and sentences) and word inflection (the grammatical functions of words). A grammar systematizes and standardizes language usage.

Some handbooks also include information typically found in rhetorics and style manuals. Rhetorics describe the writing process with particular focus on expository writing and the interactions of writers and readers. Style manuals establish guidelines for formatting pages and documenting sources.

Currently the Writers' PLACE is designed to be used with Quick Access, a handbook written by Lynn Quitman Troyka. If you have loaded the on-line edition of this handbook on your computer, or you are working in the college computer lab, you can enter Quick Access by selecting the button at the bottom of your screen.

If you are using the print edition of Quick Access, see section H (pages xxxi-xl) for detailed instructions and exercises for using this handbook.

Dictionary

dic tion ar y (dik' she ner'e¯) n., pl. -ies. A reference book containing an aplhabetical list of workds with definitions or equivalent translations into another language. [ L. dictio, diction].

This is the dictionary entry for the word dictionary.

• First you have the correct spelling of the word with syllable breaks.
• Following the word, in parentheses, is the pronunciation guide.
• n. indicates this word is a noun. Other parts of speech are pro. (pronoun), v. (verb), adj. (adjective), adv. (adverb), prep. (preposition), conj. (conjunction), inter. (interjection).
• pl. indicates how to form the plural of this noun. If this were a verb, the past tense, the past participle, and any irregular forms would be listed.
• The body of the entry presents the various definitions the word may have in any number of contexts.
• Finally, in brackets, the dictionay gives the etymology or historical root of the word. The English word dictionary comes from the Latin word dictio, which means diction or word choice.

Spell Checker

Many word processing programs now offer spell checkers. In Microsoft Word, misspelled words may be marked with a wavy red line. Place your cursor over the underlined word and click your right mouse button. This should bring up a menu of possible correct spellings for the word. You can also spell check your entire document by going to Tools and selecting "Spelling"

If you aren't sure which of the options offered by the computer is the correct one, look up the words suggested in your dictionary to choose the one that is best.

Grammar Checker

Many word processing programs also offer grammar checkers. In Microsoft Word, a potential grammar error is marked by a wavy green line. Place your cursor over the underlined word, phrase or sentence. Click the right mous button a dialogue box will describe why the computer identifies this as an error and it may suggest a correction. However, the computer cannot read words in context. It can only match what you have written against patterns that are programmed in the grammar checker's database. You must evaluate the situation and make your own decisions about how to say what you want to say. If you have questions, use the key terms in the dialogue box to look for advice in your handbook.