Combining streamlined, nuts-and-bolts writing instruction with outstanding accessibility and visual appeal, The College Writer Brief breaks new ground in brief rhetorics. While most first-year writing texts fail to appeal to today's visual learners, this rhetoric with readings and research guide has four-color line drawings, color-coded headings, easy-to-grasp graphic organizers, and other design elements on nearly every two-page spread, targeting the needs of less-prepared students. From dynamic visuals to engaging essays and examples, the authors have made both content and presentation optimally exciting and useful for the student. The brief edition is identical to the full edition of The College Writer (2004)--less the handbook section--making this version useful for those who prefer a separate handbook. Each chapter in The College Writer Brief opens with concise writing instruction followed by engaging examples and writing assignments. Diagrams, charts, and graphic organizers demonstrate ideas and principles quickly, taking the place of pages of text. Color-coded headings, humorous line drawings, and other four-color design elements move students through the book and ensure better retention of material. The College Writer Brief offers step indexing and color-coding, allowing students to thumb directly into the topic they need. Checklists and summary boxes make it easy to refer back to material covered earlier. The authors' accessible presentation and guidelines for writing are exceptionally encouraging to students. The text goes beyond fully integrated material on writing-process related topics, such as researching online and using an online writing lab, to include topics such as creating a web site and publishing online. The CD-ROM provides the entire main text in searchable format, as well as a fully searchable handbook of grammar, usage, punctuation, and ESL help. It takes students through one writer's process, and engages them with instructional video and audio clips, animated graphic organizers, and appealing interactive exercises.