Preface   

About the Authors   

PART I             Starting Out   

Chapter 1   Ensuring Success in Writing   

Chapter 2   Generating Ideas through Prewriting   

Chapter 3   Composing: Creating a Draft   

Chapter 4   Refining and Polishing Your Draft   

PART 2             Using the Patterns of Paragraph Development   

Chapter 5   Narration   

Chapter 6   Description    

Chapter 7   Example   

Chapter 8   Process   

Chapter 9   Definition   

Chapter 10   Comparison and Contrast   

Chapter 11   Cause and Effect   

Chapter 12   Division and Classification   

Chapter 13   Argument   

PART 3 Moving On to the Essay   

Chapter 14   Developing an Essay    

Chapter 15   Examining Types of Essays   

Chapter 16   Adjusting Your Process: Timed Writing and Summaries   

PART 4 Developing Sentence Sense   

Chapter 17   The Sentence   

Chapter 18   Fragments   

Chapter 19   Subordination and Coordination   

Chapter 20   Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences   

PART 5 Understanding Subjects and Verbs   

Chapter 21   Subject—Verb Agreement    

Chapter 22   Basic Tenses for Regular Verbs   

Chapter 23   Irregular Verbs and Frequently Confused Verbs   

Chapter 24   Passive Voice, Additional Tenses, and Maintaining Consistency in Tense   

PART 6             Keeping Your Writing Correct   

Chapter 25   Nouns: Working Effectively with Words That Name   

Chapter 26   Pronouns: Understanding Case, Clear Pronoun—Antecedent Agreement, and Nonsexist Pronoun Usage   

Chapter 27   Adjectives, Adverbs, and Other Modifiers: Using Describing and Modifying Words Effectively   

Chapter 28   Parallelism: Presenting Related Items in a Similar Form   

Chapter 29   Spelling: Focusing on Correctness   

Chapter 30  Commas

Chapter 31   Other Punctuation and Capitalization   

PART 7 Connecting: Responding to Reading     

Appendix  Tips for ESL Writers 

Rhetorical Index 

Credits 

Index 

Detailed Contents

Preface   

About the Authors   

PART I             Starting Out   

Chapter 1   Ensuring Success in Writing   

Overview: Understanding the Importance of Good Writing Skills   

Recognizing the Stages of the Writing Process   

Understanding the Dynamics of Writing   

Focusing on the Reader   

Examining the Purpose behind Your Writing   

Understanding the Important Relationship between Writing and Reading   

Recap Ensuring Success in Writing   

Chapter 2   Generating Ideas through Prewriting   

Overview: Seeing Prewriting as a Way to Explore Ideas   

Understanding Prewriting   

Freewriting   

Brainstorming   

Clustering   

Branching   

Idea Mapping   

Maintaining a Journal   

Recap Generating Ideas through Prewriting   

Chapter 3   Composing: Creating a Draft   

Overview: Understanding Composing   

Recognizing the Structure of a Paragraph   

Identifying an Effective Topic   

Writing a Clear, Specific Topic Sentence   

Providing the Best Support for the Topic Sentence   

Deciding on the Most Effective Arrangement   

Making Your Material Reader Centered   

Using a Reader Evaluation Checklist   

Developing a Complete Draft   

Recap Composing: Creating a Draft   

Chapter 4   Refining and Polishing Your Draft   

Overview: Understanding the Revising Stage   

Reassessing: Re-seeing Your Work   

Maintaining Unity  

Providing Coherence  

Transition 

Organizing Sentences Effectively 

Choosing Effective Language  

Keeping Your Writing Specific

Keeping Your Writing Concise 

Getting Feedback from an Objective Reader  

Redrafting   

Acknowledging Your Sources   

MLA Format 

APA Format 

Editing   

Developing a Personal Proofreading System  

Using Computer Tools to Your Advantage  

Examining a Revised Draft   

Recap Refining and Polishing Your Draft   

Portfolio 1 

PART 2             Using the Patterns of Paragraph Development   

Chapter 5   Narration   

Overview: Understanding the Modes, Purposes, and Importance of Telling Your Story   

Writing a Clear Topic Sentence That Establishes a Context   

Relying on Chronological Order   

Choosing the Most Effective Point of View   

Providing a Thorough Presentation   

Providing Transition for Narrative Paragraphs  

Recap Narration   

Chapter 6   Description    

Overview: Creating a Picture in Words   

Previewing the Focus of Description through the Topic Sentence   

Using Sensory Details   

Relying on Objective and Subjective Description   

Using Spatial Order   

Providing Transition for Description Paragraphs  

Recap Description   

Chapter 7   Example   

Overview: Illustrating Your Point   

Providing a Topic Sentence That States the Point You Will Illustrate   

Providing Specific Examples   

Ensuring That Your Examples Are Relevant   

Providing an Effective Presentation   

Providing Transition for Example Paragraphs  

Recap Example   

Chapter 8   Process   

Overview: Explaining How It Happens or How to Do It   

Including a Topic Sentence That Clearly States the Process   

Using the Imperative Mood: You   

Dividing the Process into Simple, Logical Steps   

Relying on Linear Order   

Providing Transition for Process Paragraphs  

Recap Process   

Chapter 9   Definition   

Overview: Making Meaning Crystal Clear   

Providing a Topic Sentence That Highlights the Term to Be Defined   

Understanding the Pattern of an Effective Definition   

Recognizing the Full Effect of the Term Defined   

Enhancing Definition through Synonyms, Negation, and Etymology   

Providing Transition for Definition Paragraphs  

Recap Definition   

Chapter 10   Comparison and Contrast   

Overview: Expressing Similarities and Differences   

Providing a Topic Sentence That Specifies Both Subjects and Indicates the Focus   

Establishing Your Basis for Comparison   

Providing a Thorough and Specific Presentation   

Arranging Your Ideas Effectively   

Providing Transition for Comparison and Contrast Paragraphs  

Recap Comparison and Contrast   

Chapter 11   Cause and Effect   

Overview: Explaining Reasons and Consequences   

Providing a Topic Sentence That Focuses on Cause and Effect   

Distinguishing between Direct and Related Causes and Effects   

Avoiding Oversimplification of Causes and Effects   

Providing an Effective Arrangement   

Providing Transition for Cause and Effect Paragraphs  

Recap Cause and Effect   

Chapter 12   Division and Classification   

Overview: Analyzing the Whole in Terms of the Parts   

Specifying Scope and Emphasis through a Topic Sentence   

Establishing a Logical Method of Analysis   

Maintaining a Consistent Presentation   

Using Distinct and Complete Groupings   

Providing Transition for Division and Classification Paragraphs  

Recap Division and Classification   

Chapter 13   Argument   

Overview: Understanding Persuasion   

Providing a Topic Sentence That Expresses a Clear Stance on the Issue   

Developing Sufficient Support through Sound Reasons   

Using a Reasonable, Convincing Tone   

Using Sound Logic   

Arranging Your Support in Emphatic Order   

Providing Transition for Argument Paragraphs  

Recap Argument   

Portfolio 2 

PART 3             Moving On to the Essay   

Chapter 14   Developing an Essay    

Overview: Understanding the Essay   

Understanding the Structure of an Essay   

The Introduction  

The Body  

The Conclusion  

Examining an Effective Essay   

Examining the Process of Writing an Essay   

Prewriting: Generating Ideas and Identifying a Manageable Focus  

Developing an Effective Thesis  

Composing  

Creating an Effective Introduction and Conclusion  

Introduction, Conclusion, Understanding the Relationship between Topic Sentences and the Thesis, Developing a Solid First Draft   

Revising  

Re-assessing, Revising for Unity, Revising for Coherence, Revising for Effective Language, Seeking Help from an Objective Reader, Redrafting, Editing: Eliminating Errors 

Looking Again at the Final Draft   

Recap Developing an Essay   

Chapter 15   Examining Types of Essays   

Overview: Understanding How to Use the Modes to Develop Essays   

The Relationship between Your Purpose and the Modes   

Using Narration to Develop an Essay   

Examining a Narrative Essay  

Using Description to Develop an Essay   

Examining a Descriptive Essay  

Using Example to Develop an Essay   

Examining an Example Essay  

Using Process to Develop an Essay   

Examining a Process Essay  

Using Definition to Develop an Essay   

Examining a Definition Essay  

Using Comparison and Contrast to Develop an Essay   

Examining a Comparison and Contrast Essay  

Using Cause and Effect to Develop an Essay   

Examining a Cause and Effect Essay  

Using Division and Classification to Develop an Essay   

Examining a Division and Classification Essay  

Writing an Argument Essay   

Examining an Argument Essay  

Recap Examining Types of Essays   

Chapter 16   Adjusting Your Process: Timed Writing and Summaries   

Overview: Understanding How to Deal with the Pressure of Timed Writing   

Answering an Essay Question Effectively   

Preparation                                                        

Active Reading   •  Effective Note-Taking  

Anticipation  

Rehearsal  

Drawing Up a Practice Question   • Developing a Sample Essay Answer 

Completing a Writing Assessment Effectively  

Understanding the Five-Paragraph Essay  

Examining a Sample Writing Assessment  

Writing an Effective Summary  

Examining the Summarizing Process of Preparing a Summary  

Quick Study: Student Example   

Recap Adjusting Your Process: Timed Writing and Summaries   

Portfolio 3 

PART 4 Developing Sentence Sense   

Chapter 17   The Sentence   

Overview: Understanding Sentence Basics   

Understanding Verbs   

Recognizing Subjects   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Sentence Basics   

Summary Exercise: Sentence Basics   

Recap The Sentence

Chapter 18   Fragments   

Overview: Recognizing and Writing Complete Sentences   

Correcting Fragments with Missing Subjects or Verbs   

Correcting Phrase Fragments   

Correcting Subordinate Clause Fragments   

Correcting Appositive Fragments   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Fragments   

Summary Exercise: Fragments   

Recap Fragments   

Chapter 19   Subordination and Coordination   

Overview: Combining Clauses for Sentence Diversity   

Using Subordination   

Using Coordination   

Achieving Coordination by Using Coordinating Conjunctions  

Achieving Coordination by Using Semicolons  

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Subordination and Coordination   

Summary Exercise: Subordination and Coordination   

Recap Subordination and Coordination   

Chapter 20   Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences   

Overview: Understanding Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences   

Identifying Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences   

Correcting Comma Splices and Run-ons by Using Coordinating Conjunctions   

Correcting Comma Splices and Run-ons by Using Subordinating Conjunctions   

Correcting Comma Splices and Run-ons by Using Semicolons   

Correcting Comma Splices and Run-ons by Using Periods   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences   

Summary Exercise: Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences   

Recap Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences   

Portfolio 4 

PART 5 Understanding Subjects and Verbs   

Chapter 21   Subject—Verb Agreement    

Overview: Understanding Subject—Verb Agreement   

Avoiding Agreement Errors When the Subject Follows the Verb   

Avoiding Agreement Errors When Words Come between the Subject and Verb   

Avoiding Agreement Errors with Indefinite Pronouns   

Avoiding Agreement Errors from Other Causes   

When the Subject Is Compound  

When the Subject Is a Collective Noun or Is Introduced by a Cue Word  

When The Subject Is a Singular Word Ending in -s, a Word Referring to an Amount, or a Word That Has the Same Singular and Plural Form  

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Mastering Subject—Verb Agreement   

Summary Exercise: Mastering Subject—Verb Agreement   

Recap Subject—Verb Agreement   

Chapter 22   Basic Tenses for Regular Verbs   

Overview: Understanding Tense   

Using the Simple Present, Simple Future, and Simple Past Tenses   

Using the Perfect Tenses   

Quick Study: Student Example    353

Chapter Quick Check: Working with Basic Verb Tenses   

Summary Exercise: Working with Basic Verb Tenses   

Recap Basic Tenses for Regular Verbs   

Chapter 23   Irregular Verbs and Frequently Confused Verbs   

Overview: Understanding Irregular Verbs and Other Verb Problems   

Identifying Irregular Verbs   

Working with Forms of To Be   

Choosing between Can and Could and between Will and Would   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Eliminating Problems with Irregular Verbs and Can and Could and Will and Would   

Summary Exercise: Eliminating Problems with Irregular Verbs and Can and Could and Will and Would   

Recap Irregular Verbs and Frequently Confused Verbs   

Chapter 24   Passive Voice, Additional Tenses, and Maintaining Consistency in Tense   

Overview: Understanding Additional Elements of Verb Use   

Forming the Passive and Active Voice   

Using the Progressive and Perfect Progressive Tenses   

The Progressive Tenses  

The Perfect Progressive Tenses  

Maintaining Consistency in Tense   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Mastering Voice, Progressive and Perfect Progressive Tenses, and Consistency in Verb Tense    

Summary Exercise: Mastering Voice, Progressive and Perfect Progressive Tenses, and Consistency in Verb Tense   

Recap Passive Voice, Additional Tenses, and Maintaining Consistency in Tense   

Portfolio 5 

PART 6             Keeping Your Writing Correct   

Chapter 25   Nouns: Working Effectively with Words That Name   

Overview: Understanding Nouns   

Reviewing the Function and Form of Nouns   

Considering Singular Nouns Ending in -s, Collective Nouns, and Cue Words   

Chapter Quick Check: Working with Nouns   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Summary Exercise: Working with Nouns   

Recap Nouns: Working Effectively with Words That Name   

Chapter 26   Pronouns: Understanding Case, Clear Pronoun—Antecedent Agreement, and Nonsexist Pronoun Usage   

Overview: Choosing the Correct Pronoun   

Examining Pronoun Types   

Understanding and Applying Pronoun Case   

Maintaining Agreement in Number   

Maintaining Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns   

Maintaining Agreement with Demonstrative and Reflexive or Intensive Pronouns   

Maintaining Agreement with That, Who, and Which Clauses   

Keeping the Relationship between Pronoun and Antecedent Clear   

Avoiding Problems with Gender in Pronoun—Antecedent Agreement   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Working with Pronouns   

Summary Exercise: Working with Pronouns   

Recap Pronouns: Understanding Case, Clear Pronoun—Antecedent Agreement, and Nonsexist Pronoun Usage   

Chapter 27   Adjectives, Adverbs, and Other Modifiers: Using Describing and Modifying Words Effectively   

Overview: Understanding the Roles of Adjectives and Adverbs   

Understanding Adjectives and Adverbs   

Creating Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adjectives and Adverbs   

Working with Confusing Pairs of Adjectives and Adverbs   

Avoiding Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers   

Avoiding Double Negatives   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Working with Adjectives and Adverbs   

Summary Exercise: Working with Adjectives and Adverbs   

Recap Adjectives, Adverbs, and Other Modifiers: Using Describing and Modifying Words Effectively   

Chapter 28   Parallelism: Presenting Related Items in a Similar Form   

Overview: Balancing Ideas in Your Writing   

Maintaining Parallelism with Words in a Series   

Maintaining Parallelism with Phrases   

Maintaining Parallelism When Using Correlative Conjunctions   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Maintaining Parallelism   

Summary Exercise: Maintaining Parallelism   

Recap Parallelism Presenting Related Items in a Similar Form   

Chapter 29   Spelling: Focusing on Correctness   

Overview: Understanding the Importance of Correct Spelling   

Basic Rules for Forming Plurals    

Basic Rules for Prefixes and Suffixes   

The Basic Rule for ie or ei   

Basic Rules for -sede, -ceed, and -cede, and Other Endings That Sound Alike   

Dealing with Commonly Confused Words   

Learning the Most Commonly Misspelled Words   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Spelling Skills   

Summary Exercise: Spelling Skills   

Recap Spelling: Focusing on Correctness   

Chapter 30  Commas   

Overview: Understanding Comma Use   

Using a Comma between Clauses Connected by Conjunctions   

Using Commas to Separate Items in a Series   

Using a Comma to Set Off Introductory Material   

Using Commas to Set Off Elements That Interrupt Sentence Flow   

Using Commas to Set Off Direct Quotations   

Recognizing Other Situations in Which Commas Are Needed   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Comma Use   

Summary Exercise: Comma Use   

Recap Commas   

Chapter 31   Other Punctuation and Capitalization   

Overview: Maintaining Correctness and Clarity through Punctuation and Capitalization   

Using Periods, Question Marks, and Exclamation Points   

Using Quotation Marks   

Using Apostrophes   

Using Other Marks of Punctuation   

Colons  

Semicolons  

Parentheses and Dashes  

Understanding Capitalization   

Quick Study: Student Example   

Chapter Quick Check: Punctuation and Capitalization   

Summary Exercise: Punctuation and Capitalization   

Recap Other Punctuation and Capitalization   

Portfolio 6 

PART 7 Connecting: Responding to Reading     

Overview: Responding to Reading 

Taking Notes 

Active Reading Strategies 

Active Reading Illustrated 

5: a.m.: Writing as Ritual  Judith Ortiz Cofer 

Fish Cheeks   Amy Tan 

Dear Satu: Letters Tell the Story of Our Lives   Rey de la Cruz 

Nightwatch  Paul Fletcher 

Back, but Not Home  Maria Muniz 

Words, Good or Bad, Can Echo through a Lifetime  Bob Greene 

Deceit   Gary Soto 

Learning English as a Second Language  Kimmom Pech (student) 

Pride  Stephanie Jezak (student) 

Exposed Toes  Diane Riva (student) 

Childhood–Then and Now  Jane Patenaude (student) 

Fear Not  Greg Andree (student) 

Nontraditional Jobs  Jennifer Mcelroy (student) 

R-E-S-P-E-C-T  Josh Trepanier (student) 

Home Schooling  Lori Ann Moyer (student) 

Appendix  Tips for ESL Writers 

Rhetorical Index 

Credits 

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