An advanced composition book and true rhetoric, places the process of writing in its social context. Rather than promoting a particular method, form, or style, it teaches the entire range of stylistic options available to writers, explaining the advantages and drawbacks of various styles. The book enables writers to make informed decisions about presenting ideas in discourse, and incorporates the best of contemporary research into the wider rhetorical tradition. Principles from classical and philosophical rhetoric as well as literary criticism are incorporated fully, and a complete understanding of stylistic values is fostered.