The Allyn & Bacon Teaching Assistant's Handbook: A Guide for Graduate Instructors of Writing and Literature is designed to help new and experienced graduate teaching assistants become more effective teachers, scholars, and members of the profession.

The Allyn & Bacon Teaching Assistant's Handbook recognizes the unique needs of graduate teaching assistants working in English departments and writing programs. As both graduate students and teachers, many TAs lead a divided life: learning how to balance the demands they face and fill the various roles they play can be difficult if not overwhelming. First-time TAs face the particularly difficult task of learning how to teach while at the same time learning how to succeed as graduate students. Experienced TAs often face the problem of learning how to identify and assume their roles in the profession.

The Allyn & Bacon Teaching Assistant's Handbook is written with both new and experienced TAs in mind. It addresses the concerns new TAs face and offers advice and guidance on the basics of teaching for the first time, while other advice — including the material on professional development, gaining administrative experience and preparing for the job market — will help more experienced TAs. The Handbook offers practical, time-tested advice that TAs can apply directly to their own classes and lives.