The most trusted handbook—refreshed to thoroughly address generative AI
Concise, reliable advice that is easy to use and put into practice
The Little Seagull Handbook is the most widely used handbook at US colleges because it’s easy to use, easy to afford, and covers just what students need. Instructors have always loved its concise, complete coverage and can now use its clear, updated guidance to address the most pressing challenge writing instructors and students face today: generative AI.
The complete coverage students need to get writing
With ten common genres, seven full annotated student essays, and four documentation style guides, The Little Seagull Handbook offers more advice on writing than any other handbook of its kind.
New advice for navigating AI through every step of the writing process
Two new chapters help students make good choices about whether, when, and how to work with AI as a writer while maintaining their own unique voice and critical-thinking skills.
What's new in the Sixth Edition
- New chapter, W-10: “Making Good Choices about Generative AI,” provides guidance for thinking through whether, when, and how to work with AI as a writer, from examining AI outputs to documenting and reflecting on AI use. Specific advice helps students avoid using AI in a way that undercuts their thinking, learning, and authentic writing.
- New chapter, W-6: “Crafting Voice in Your Writing,” guards against students losing their own unique voice by overusing generative AI. The chapter breaks down why voice matters and explains how to use the elements of voice (informal, formal, impersonal) to build and shift their own, with plenty of student examples.
- A new InQuizitive for Writers activity, authored by Sarah Z. Johnson (Madison Area Technical College), builds AI literacy, focusing on how generative AI tools work and what their drawbacks are, how to make ethical rhetorical choices, and the importance of maintaining your own voice.
About the authors
Students love practicing their writing, research, and editing skills in InQuizitive for Writers
InQuizitive for Writers comes included with all new print copies and all Norton courseware purchases!
Meet your marketing manager: Michele Dobbins
Michele is excited to connect with you about everything composition related—from getting into the nitty gritty about our book content to strategizing about generative AI and courseware. Having started with W. W. Norton as an intern, she’s now been with Norton for over eight years, happily working from home with her three cats. A recent book she still hasn't quite gotten over yet is The Family Experiment by John Marrs because it combines reality tv and virtual reality (two things Michele loves to talk about!).
Have questions or want to talk over Zoom?
Image Credits: Rich Bullock (Bullock); Olivia Harris (Bertsch); Michal Brody (Brody)
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