Increasingly, writing handbooks are seen as over-produced and overpriced. One stands out: The Broadview Guide to Writing is published in an elegant but simple format, and sells for roughly half the price of its fancier-looking competitors. That does not change with the new edition; what does change and stay up-to-date is the content of the book. The seventh Canadian edition brings a substantial re-organization of the contents under three headings: Writing Processes, Writing Mechanics, and Writing Contexts. Coverage of the MLA, APA, Chicago, and CSE styles of documentation has been substantially revised to reflect the most recent updates, including the 2020 APA and 2021 MLA changes. As in earlier editions, the Broadview Guide offers wide ranging coverage of academic argument; of writing and critical thinking; and of writing about literature. Coverage of personal and informal writing is included for the first time—as is a sample literary essay in MLA style (in addition to the sample MLA interdisciplinary essay). The “How to be Good with Words” chapter (on issues of gender, race, religion etc.) has been extensively revised, as has the material on electronic etiquette.
Comments
COMMENTS ON PREVIOUS EDITIONS
“Even the most useful reference guides are not always, well, shall we say, riveting. A refreshing exception is The Broadview Guide to Writing, which is smart, helpful, and even fun to read.”—Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, authors of They Say / I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing
“The Broadview Guide remains the most readable writing guide available—at any price. It’s the only usage guide I’ve ever actually read for fun. Moreover, it’s sensible, and it’s complete. … The authors assume nothing, but they don’t condescend.” — Jacky Bolding, University of the Fraser Valley
“… an excellent choice.… The expanded coverage of the sixth edition [makes] this not only a comprehensive writing guide, but also a valuable introduction to communication and critical thinking in today’s academic world. I will be recommending this text to students at all levels.” — Maria DiCenzo, Wilfrid Laurier University
“While it is often difficult to distinguish one writing handbook from another … The Broadview Guide to Writing proves exceptional in a number of ways. … [It is] an accessible and relevant guide for twenty-first century college students, with a keen eye toward process, style, and documentation.” — Karen Head, Special Advisor to the Writing & Communication Program, The Georgia Institute of Technology
“In a market replete with writing guides, this practical book stands out…. The [Broadview] Guide … re-energizes this pedagogical field by providing clear and concise explanations supported by examples.” — Anne Quéma, Acadia University
“Comprehensive, affordable, and student-friendly.” — Candice Rai, English Department, University of Washington—Seattle
“[The] reference sections on grammar and usage … cover everything I would ever point out in student writing.… The section on MLA style covers pretty much everything anyone needs to know about how to deploy this system of documentation.… The sections on academic writing are [also] very good.” — Bruce Greenfield, Dalhousie University
