Reading and Writing About Contemporary Issues

For courses in Integrated Reading & Writing and Intermediate Reading.

Helps students read and write critically about contemporary issues

Reading and Writing About Contemporary Issues builds on students’ reading and writing skills through examples for analysis. Each nonfiction reading is organized into units that focus on contemporary issues, and has been chosen to interest and motivate students. Readings are drawn from a variety of sources, such as books, textbooks, periodicals, popular magazines, newspapers, blogs, websites, and Internet sources.

Readings are used as direct learning tools rather than additional examples. The instructional components of each chapter are built around reading samples, and each has been reorganized based on level of difficulty. This versatile presentation adapts easily for a wide range of students.

Also available with MySkillsLab ^®

MySkillsLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed to engage readers and improve results. Within its structured environment, readers practice what they learn, test their understanding, and pursue a personalized study plan that helps them better absorb course material and understand difficult concepts.

Note: You are purchasing a standalone product; MySkillsLab does not come packaged with this content. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with MySkillsLab, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.

If you would like to purchase both the physical text and MySkillsLab, search for:

0134112415 / 9780134112411  Reading and Writing About Contemporary Issues Plus MySkillsLab with Pearson eText – Access Card Package, 2e

Package consists of:

• 0133949613 / 9780133949612  Reading and Writing About Contemporary Issues
• 0133995151 / 9780133995152  MySkillsLab with Pearson eText – Inside Star Sticker
• 0133995178 / 9780133995176  MySkillsLab with Pearson eText

Kathleen T. McWhorter has taught reading and writing courses for over 30 years at Niagara County Community College. Her many titles provide various and flexible approaches to teaching reading and writing strategies that accommodate a range of learning and teaching styles. 

All of the McWhorter books share three fundamental characteristics that have led to enormous success in the classroom:

INTEGRATION OF READING AND WRITING

Reading and its integral connection to writing is emphasized throughout the books, helping students to see reading and writing as complementary processes.

FOCUS ON CRITICAL THINKING

McWhorter recognizes, and features throughout her books, the role and benefits of critical thinking in the reading and writing processes.

EMPHASIS ON VISUAL LITERACY

Print and electronic sources, including textbooks, are becoming increasingly visual. McWhorter's books include chapters, exercises, and features that all reinforce visual literacy.

I. A HANDBOOK FOR READING AND WRITING IN COLLEGE

1. The Reading Process

2. The Writing Process

3. Vocabulary for Readers and Writers

4. Main Ideas and Topic Sentences

5. Supporting Details, Transitions, and Implied Main Ideas

6. Revision and Proofreading

7. Reading and Writing Organizational Patterns

8. Writing Essays and Documented Papers

9. Critical Thinking: Reading and Writing

10. Analyzing Issues and Arguments

II. READING AND WRITING ABOUT CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

11. Defining Ourselves: Our Multiple Identities

12. Our Environment: Problems and Solutions 

13. Relationships: Our Friends, Families, and Communities

14. Science and Ethics: Where Do We Draw the Line?

15. Communication and Technology: Life Online and Offline

16. Conformity and Nonconformity: Following and Breaking the Rules

17. Personal Freedoms and Limitations: Lifestyle Choices

III. CASEBOOK FOR CRITICAL THINKING: GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE