About the Book
The McGraw-Hill Guide to Writing is designed to help students learn to write more effectively not only in their college courses but also in their professional, civic, and personal lives. Combining a flexible reader, rhetoric, research guide, and handbook, The McGraw-Hill Guide shows students how to set goals for their writing, to use effective composing strategies to reach those goals, and to assess their progress toward achieving them. Based on the idea that effective writers are strong communicators in any context, The McGraw-Hill Guide to Writing emphasizes the skills established by the Writing Program Administrator's Outcomes Statement that form the foundation of assessment practices at writing programs throughout the country -- rhetorical knowledge, critical thinking, writing processes, and conventions. These skills form the basis of the instruction in each assignment chapter and throughout the text.
Table of Contents:
Writing for College, Writing for LifePart 1: Getting Started1. Writing Goals and Objectives for College and for LifeWRITING IN THE FOUR AREAS OF YOUR LIFEWriting as a College StudentWriting as a ProfessionalWriting as a CitizenWriting as a Family Member or FriendWRITING IN THE FOUR AREAS IN THIS COURSELEARNING GOALS IN THIS COURSERhetorical KnowledgeCritical Thinking, Reading, and WritingWriting ProcessesKnowledge of ConventionsBECOMING A SELF-REFLECTIVE WRITERWRITING IN TODAY’S WORLDWriting ResponsiblyWriting Technologies2. Reading Critically for College and for LifeUSING PRE-READING STRATEGIESREADING ACTIVELYAnnotating EffectivelyReading VisualsReading Web SitesUSING POST-READING STRATEGIESStarting Your Writer's / Research JournalWriting Effective SummariesSynthesizing Information in ReadingsUsing Your Reading in Your Own Writing3. Writing to Discover and to LearnUSING INVENTION STRATEGIES TO DISCOVER IDEASListingFreewritingQuestioningAnswering the Questions Who? What? Why? When? Where? How?BrainstormingClusteringKEEPING NOTEBOOKS AND JOURNALSDouble-Entry NotebookField NotebookVocabulary JournalExpanding the Journal ConceptREWRITING YOUR CLASS NOTESMinute PaperMuddiest PointPreconception CheckParaphrasingORGANIZING AND SYNTHESIZING INFORMATIONInvented DialogueInvented Interview/Unsent LetterRésumé/VitaBio-PoemUSING CHARTS AND VISUALS TO DISCOVER AND TO LEARNClustering and Concept MappingProcess FlowchartTime Line/ChronologyPedigree ChartSTUDYING FOR EXAMSTest QuestionsMnemonic PlayPart 2: Using What You've Learned to Share Information4. Writing to Share ExperiencesRHETORICAL KNOWLEDGEWriting to Share Experiences in Your College ClassesWriting to Share Experiences for LifeScenarios for Writing: Assignment OptionsWriting for CollegeWriting for LifeRhetorical Considerations in Sharing Your ExperiencesCRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITINGLearning the Qualities of Effective Writing about ExperiencesReading, Inquiry, and Research: Learning from Narratives That Share ExperiencesRussell Baker, On Becoming a WriterTanya Barrientos, Se Habla EspañolCharles Ogletree, from All Deliberate SpeedThinking about Visuals That Share ExperiencesDrawing on Research about ExperiencesWRITING PROCESSESInvention: Getting StartedExploring Your Ideas with ResearchVisualizing Variations: Using Photos and Documents as SourcesOrganizing Your Ideas and DetailsConstructing a Complete DraftRevisingResponding to Readers’ CommentsKNOWLEDGE OF CONVENTIONSEditingGenres, Documentation, and FormatWriting in Action: Convention in Genre and DesignA WRITER SHARES HER EXPERIENCES: JESSICA HEMAUER’S FINAL DRAFTJessica Hemauer, Farm GirlSELF-ASSESSMENT: REFLECTING ON YOUR LEARNING GOALS5. Writing to ExploreRHETORICAL KNOWLEDGEWriting to Explore in Your College ClassesWriting to Explore For LifeScenarios for Writing: Assignment OptionsWriting for CollegeWriting for LifeRhetorical Considerations for Exploratory WritingCRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITINGLearning the Qualities of Effective Exploratory WritingReading, Inquiry, and Research: Learning from Texts That ExploreKenneth Chang, Scientist at Work: Terence Tao; Journeys to the Distant Fields of PrimeMichael Wolff, Bipolar IraqP.J O’Rourke, Memoir EssayThinking About Visuals That ExploreDrawing on Research to Explore Your SubjectWRITING PROCESSESInvention: Getting StartedExploring Your Ideas with ResearchOrganizing Your Ideas and DetailsConstructing a Complete DraftVisualizing Variations: Using Visuals to Make Your Exploration ClearRevisingResponding to Readers’ CommentsKNOWLEDGE OF CONVENTIONSEditingGenres, Documentation, and Format Writing in Action: Convention in Genre and DesignA WRITER SHARES HIS EXPLORATION: RICK MOHLER’S FINAL DRAFTRick Mohler, A Sporting Career?SELF-ASSESSMENT: REFLECTING ON YOUR LEARNING GOALS6. Writing to InformRHETORICAL KNOWLEDGEWriting to Inform in Your College ClassesWriting to Inform for LifeScenarios for Writing: Assignment OptionsWriting for CollegeWriting for LifeRhetorical Considerations in Informative WritingCRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITINGLearning the Qualities of Effective Informative WritingReading, Writing, and Research: Learning from Texts That InformHarold Peterson, The Man Who Invented BaseballCarol Ezzell, Clocking Cultures Katie Hafner, Growing Wikipedia Revises Its ‘Anyone Can Edit’ PolicyThinking about Visuals That InformDrawing on Research to Inform Your ReadersWRITING PROCESSESInvention: Getting StartedExploring Your Ideas with ResearchOrganizing Your Information and ResearchConstructing a Complete DraftVisualizing Variations: Using a Web Site, Poster, or Brochure to Inform Your ReadersRevising Responding to Readers’ CommentsKNOWLEDGE OF CONVENTIONSEditing Genres, Documentation, and FormatWriting in Action: Convention in Genre and DesignA WRITER INFORMS HIS READERS: CRAIG BROADBENT’S FINAL DRAFT Craig Broadbent, Watch for the Blue BarrelsSELF-ASSESSMENT: REFLECTING ON YOUR LEARNING GOALS7. Writing to AnalyzeRHETORICAL KNOWLEDGEWriting to Analyze in your College ClassesWriting to Analyze For LifeScenarios for Writing: Assignment OptionsWriting for CollegeWriting for LifeRhetorical Considerations in Analytical WritingCRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITINGLearning the Qualities of Effective Analytical WritingReading, Writing, and Research: Learning from Texts That AnalyzeJames M. Lang, Putting In the HoursJohn Rockhold, Pay Less at the Pump: The Hybrid RevolutionTamara Draut, All Work and No PlayThinking about Visuals That AnalyzeDrawing on Research to Analyze Your SubjectWRITING PROCESSESInvention: Getting StartedExploring Your Ideas with ResearchOrganizing Your InformationConstructing a Complete DraftVisualizing Variations: Using Charts and Graphs to Make Your Analysis ClearRevising Responding to Readers’ CommentsKNOWLEDGE OF CONVENTIONSEditing Genres, Documentation, and Format Writing in Action: Convention in Genre and DesignA WRITER SHARES HER ANALYSIS: SARAH WASHINGTON’S FINAL DRAFTSarah Washington, Campus Parking: Love It or Leave ItSELF-ASSESSMENT: REFLECTING ON YOUR LEARNING GOALS Part 3 Using What You’ve Learned to Write Arguments8. Writing to ConvinceRHETORICAL KNOWLEDGEWriting to Convince in Your College ClassesWriting to Convince for LifeScenarios for Writing: Assignment OptionsWriting for CollegeWriting for LifeRhetorical Considerations for Persuasive WritingCRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITINGLearning the Qualities of Effective Persuasive Writing Reading, Inquiry, and Research: Learning from Texts That PersuadeAnne Applebaum, When Women Go to WarMaureen Dowd, Our Own Warrior Princess, and Brian J. G. Pereira, M.D., Letter responding to DowdArthur Levine and Jeanette S. Cureton, Collegiate Life: An ObituaryThinking about Visuals That PersuadeDrawing on Research to Persuade your ReaderWRITING PROCESSESInvention: Getting StartedExploring Your Ideas with ResearchReviewing Your Invention and ResearchOrganizing Your InformationConstructing a Complete DraftVisualizing Variations: Using Charts and Photographs to Support Your ClaimRevising Responding to Readers’ CommentsKNOWLEDGE OF CONVENTIONSEditing Genres, Documentation, and Format Writing in Action: Convention in Genre and DesignA WRITER SHARES HIS PERSUASIVE WRITING: SANTI DEROSA’S FINAL DRAFT Santi DeRosa, The Objectification of Women: Whose Fault is It?SELF-ASSESSMENT: REFLECTING ON YOUR LEARNING GOALS 9. Writing to Evaluate RHETORICAL KNOWLEDGEWriting to Analyze in Your College ClassesWriting to Evaluate for LifeScenarios for Writing: Assignment OptionsWriting for CollegeWriting for LifeRhetorical Considerations for Evaluative WritingCRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITINGReading, Inquiry, and Research: Learning from Texts That EvaluateRoger Ebert, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s StoneElvis Mitchell, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s StoneMatthew Power, Immersion JournalismThinking about Visuals That EvaluateDrawing on Research for
Your EvaluationWRITING PROCESSESInvention: Getting StartedExploring Your Ideas with ResearchReviewing Your Invention and ResearchOrganizing Your EvaluationConstructing a Complete DraftVisualizing Variations: Using Visuals to Support Your Evaluation Revising Responding to Readers’ CommentsKNOWLEDGE OF CONVENTIONSEditingGenres, Documentation, and Format Writing in Action: Convention in Genre and DesignA WRITER SHARES HER EVALUATION: ANNLEE LAWRENCE’S FINAL DRAFTAnnlee Lawrence, Who Has the Healthier Burger?SELF-ASSESSMENT: REFLECTING ON YOUR LEARNING GOALS10. Writing to Explain Causes and EffectsRHETORICAL KNOWLEDGEWriting about Causes and Effects in Your College ClassesWriting about Causes and Effects for LifeScenarios for Writing: Assignment OptionsWriting for CollegeWriting for LifeRhetorical Considerations in Cause-Effect WritingCRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITINGLearning the Qualities of Effective Writing about Causes and EffectsReading, Inquiry, and Research: Learning from Texts That Explain Cause-and-Effect RelationshipsJuan Williams, Brown v. Board of EducationBruce Nussbaum, Where Are the Jobs?Neal Gabler, How Urban Myths Reveal Society's FearsThinking About Visuals That Indicate Cause-and-EffectDrawing on Research to Demonstrate Causes or EffectsWRITING PROCESSESInvention: Getting StartedExploring Your Ideas with ResearchOrganizing Your Cause-Effect PaperConstructing a Complete DraftVisualizing Variations: Choosing Visuals That Illustrate Cause-and-Effect RelationshipsRevisingResponding to Readers’ CommentsKNOWLEDGE OF CONVENTIONSEditingGenres, Documentation, and Format Writing in Action: Convention in Genre and DesignA WRITER SHARES HER CAUSAL ANALYSIS: DEBORAH SCHLEGEL’S FINAL DRAFTDeborah Schlegel, Weather Forecast: Bikinis or Parkas?SELF-ASSESSMENT: REFLECTING ON YOUR LEARNING GOALS 11. Writing to Solve ProblemsRHETORICAL KNOWLEDGEWriting to Solve Problems in Your College ClassesWriting to Solve Problems for LifeScenarios for Writing: Assignment OptionsWriting for CollegeWriting for LifeRhetorical Considerations in Writing to Solve ProblemsCRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITINGLearning the Qualities of Effective Problem-SolvingReading, Writing, and Research: Learning from Texts That Propose SolutionsMichelle Mise Pollard, The Nursing Crisis: The Solution Lies WithinThomas L. Friedman, World War IIIMichael Bérubé, How to End Grade InflationThinking about Visuals That Present a Problem and Give a SolutionDrawing on Research to Solve ProblemsWRITING PROCESSESInvention: Getting StartedExploring Your Ideas with ResearchOrganizing Your InformationConstructing a Complete DraftVisualizing Variations: Alternative Forms for Solving ProblemsRevising Responding to Readers’ CommentsKNOWLEDGE OF CONVENTIONSEditing Genres, Documentation, and FormatWriting in Action: Convention in Genre and DesignA WRITER PROPOSES HER SOLUTION: ESTHER ELLSWORTH’S FINAL DRAFT Esther Ellsworth, Comprehensive Land Use Planning in ArizonaSELF-ASSESSMENT: REFLECTING ON YOUR LEARNING GOALS12. Writing about a Creative WorkRHETORICAL KNOWLEDGEWriting about a Creative Work in Your College ClassesWriting about a Creative Work for LifeScenarios for Writing: Assignment OptionsWriting for CollegeWriting for LifeRhetorical Considerations for Writing about a Creative WorkCRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITINGLearning the Qualities of Effective Writing about a Creative Work Reading, Inquiry, and Research: Learning from Literary WorksDon DeLillo, VideotapeJohn Edgar Wideman, Ascent by Balloon from the Yard of Walnut Street JailAmy Tan, Alien RelativeThinking about Visuals When Writing about Creative WorksDrawing on ResearchWRITING PROCESSESInvention: Getting StartedVisualizing Variations: Selecting a Creative Work to Write aboutExploring Your Ideas with ResearchOrganizing Your Ideas and DetailsConstructing a Complete DraftRevising Responding to Readers’ CommentsKNOWLEDGE OF CONVENTIONSEditingGenres, Documentation, and Format A WRITER SHARES HER WRITING ABOUT A CREATIVE WORK: HANNA EARLEY’S FINAL DRAFT Hanna Earley, That Doesn't Mean We Want Him to Stop: Suspense in Don DeLillo's "Videotape"SELF-ASSESSMENT: REFLECTING ON YOUR LEARNING GOALS Part 4: Strategies for Effective Communication13. Using Strategies that Guide ReadersANNOUNCING A THESIS OR CONTROLLING IDEAWRITING PARAGRAPHS Placement of Topic SentencesMoving to a New ParagraphOpening ParagraphsConcluding ParagraphsUSING COHESIVE DEVICESUsing Connective Words and PhrasesUsing Transitional Sentences and ParagraphsUsing Headings and SubheadingsUSING ORGANIZING STRATEGIESWRITING NARRATIVESWRITING DESCRIPTIONSWRITING DEFINITIONSWRITING CLASSIFICATIONSWRITING ABOUT COMPARISONS AND CONTRASTS USING OUTLINES AND MAPS TO ORGANIZE YOUR WRITING14. Using Strategies that Persuade ReadersARGUMENT AND PERSUASIONRHETORICAL APPEALSLogical AppealsEthical AppealsEmotional AppealsThe Rhetorical Triangle: Considering the Appeals TogetherTHREE APPROACHES TO ARGUMENTClassical Strategies for ArguingJaron Lanier, Beware the Online CollectiveToulmin Strategies for ArguingStanley Fish, But I Didn't Do It!Rogerian Strategies for ArguingRick Reilly, Nothing but NetsSOME COMMON FLAWS IN ARGUMENTS15. Using Strategies for CollaborationWORKING WITH PEERS ON YOUR SINGLE-AUTHORED PROJECTSStrategies for Working with Peers on Your ProjectsUsing Digital Tools for Peer ReviewUsing Catalyst for Peer ReviewWORKING WITH PEERS ON MULTIPLE-AUTHORED PROJECTSStrategies for Working with Peers EffectivelyUsing Digital Tools for Facilitating Multi-Authored Projects16. Making Effective Oral PresentationsDEVELOPING YOUR PRESENTATIONESTABLISHING A CLEAR STRUCTURECONSIDERING YOUR AUDIENCEELIMINATING THE FEAR OF SPEAKING IN PUBLICIMPROMPTU PRESENTATIONSPart 5: Technologies for Effective Communication17. Choosing a Medium, Genre, and Technology for Your CommunicationCOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIESPUBLISHING YOUR WORKSELECTING A GENRE AND A MEDIUMDeciding on a Genre for Your WorkDeciding Whether to Use Print, Electronic, or Oral MediaConsidering DesignTECHNOLOGIES FOR COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATIONE-mailThreaded DiscussionsSynchronous ChatBlogsWord-Processing SoftwarePeer Review ApplicationsGraphics SoftwareDesktop Publishing SoftwarePresentation SoftwareTechnologies for Constructing Web Pages18. Communicating with Design and VisualsPRINCIPLES OF DOCUMENT DESIGNProximityContrastAlignmentRepetition (or Consistency)COMMON KINDS OF VISUAL TEXTSTablesBar and Line GraphsChartsPhotographsDrawingsDiagramsMapsCartoonsUSING VISUALS RHETORICALLYConsidering Your AudienceConsidering Your PurposeUSING VISUALS RESPONSIBLYPermissionsDistortionsPart 6: Using Research for Informed Communication19. Finding and Evaluating Information from Sources and the FieldCONDUCTING EFFECTIVE RESEARCH: AN EXAMPLELibrary ResearchResearch on the World Wide WebSELECTING SOURCESBooksAcademic JournalsNewspapersPopular MagazinesTrade or Commercial MagazinesPublic Affairs MagazinesSpecialty MagazinesThe InternetEVALUATING YOUR SOURCES: ASKING THE REPORTER’S QUESTIONSWho Is the Author?What Is the Text About? What Is the Quality of the Information?When Was the Text Published or the Web Site Last Updated?Why Was This Information Published?Where Was the Item Published?How Accurate Is the Information in This Source?FIELD RESEARCHWorking with Human SubjectsInformed ConsentObservationsInterviewsSurveys and Questionnaires20. Synthesizing and Documenting SourcesQUOTATIONSPARAPHRASESSUMMARIESELLIPSISMLA DOCUMENTATION STYLEMLA Style: In-Text CitationMLA Style: Constructing a List of Works Cited MLA Style: Sample Student PaperAPA DOCUMENTATION STYLEAPA Style: In-Text CitationAPA Style: Constructing a References ListAPA Style: Sample Student PaperA Writer's HandbookC: Common Sentence ProblemsS: StyleP: PunctuationM: MechanicsI: A Guide for Multilingual WritersG: Guid
e to Sentence StructureAppendix A: Constructing a Writing PortfolioAppendix B: Writing Effective Essay ExaminationsAppendix C: Standard Document Forms
