The Little Seagull 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. With two new chapters, updated advice for each step of the writing process, and a new activity for building AI literacy, the Sixth Edition continues to be the most trusted, reliable tool for today’s student writers.

Highlights of this edition’s new content:

• 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.
• Every section of the book addresses generative AI’s impact on the writing process: New advice in the WRITE section prepares students for in-class writing assignments, where AI use is often not permitted. New advice in the RESEARCH section covers using AI-powered search engines to find sources, evaluating AI-generated output, writing AI acknowledgment statements, and documenting AI as a source. New advice in the EDIT section covers considerations for using AI editing tools.
• A new InQuizitive for Writers activity 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.
• Expanded documentation guides provide more MLA and APA citation examples alongside updated guidelines on Chicago and CSE.
• New annotated model argument about food scarcity is written by a Queens College, City University of New York,student.
• Animated videos are now embedded throughout the ebook to give students quick, accessible introductions to topics such as reading scholarly articles, organizing and synthesizing ideas, using AI as a resource, and more.