Hands-On English is a handbook that gives quick access to the basics of English (grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary, reading, and writing). It makes grammar visual with symbols to represent parts of speech. These symbols can then be combined so readers can see how phrases and sentences are constructed. Hands-On English is a valuable resource for students (9 years of age or older -- including those preparing for college entrance exams), teachers, parents, business people, and anyone else who wants to use English more effectively. Because information in the handbook is easy to find and easy to understand, users increase their independence and confidence with English. The Second Edition, which maintains the content and crisp user-friendly layout of the original edition, has been expanded by thirty-two pages. New content includes decoding (dividing words into syllables and knowing which vowel sound to expect), finding the main idea, developing paragraphs and compositions, and writing concisely.