The Student Writer: Editor and Critic

This eighth edition of The Student Writer: Editor and Critic strengthens the text’s commitment to helping students become better writers by helping them develop their own successful writing processes and by helping them become reliable critics and editors of their own texts. It also maintains the text’s commitment to demonstrating the importance of writing across the curriculum, in the workplace, and in students’ private lives.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Strategies for Reading and Writing Chapter 1: The Reading-Writing Connection Reading Analytically Step One: Preview the Material Step Two: Read Thoughtfully Step Three: Review and Write for Retention A Sample Marked Text John Holt“School Is Bad for Children” Writing in Response to Reading Writing a Summary Howard Rohan “What John Holt Finds Wrong with Schools” Sharing Personal Reactions and Associations Susan Schantz “School Was Bad for Me” Evaluating an Author’s Ideas Essays for Reading and Response Amy Tan“Democracy” Bill McKibben “The Environmental Issue from Hell” Analyzing Visual Content Analyzing Advertisements Analyzing Photographs Analyzing Charts and Graphs Chapter 2Getting Started The Writing Process Six Areas of the Writing Process Choosing a Writing Topic Pay Attention to the World around You Freewrite Fill in the Blanks Narrow a Broad Topic Freewrite Write a List Consider the Patterns of Development Map Your Broad Topic Anthony’s Essay in Progress: Discovering a Writing Topic Establishing Your Purpose Identifying and Assessing Your Audience Anthony’s Essay in Progress: Establishing Purpose and Identifyingand Assessing Audience Discovering Ideas to Develop Your Topic Freewrite Write a List Answer Questions Write a Map Write a Letter Investigate Sources Keep a Journal Working Collaboratively: Discovering Ideas Prewriting at the Computer Process Guidelines: Breaking Through Writer’s Block Developing a Preliminary Thesis The Qualities of an Effective Thesis Process Guidelines: How to Draft Your Preliminary Thesis Process Guidelines: The Sequence of Your Writing Process Anthony’s Essay in Progress: Discovering Ideas and Developinga Preliminary Thesis Writing Assignment Chapter 3Organizing and Drafting Process Guidelines: Evaluating Your Ideas Ordering Your Ideas Chronological Order Spatial Order Progressive Order Outlining The Formal Outline Outline Cards The Outline Worksheet The Outline Tree The Scratch Outline Process Guidelines: Outlining Anthony’s Essay in Progress: Outlining Writing Your First Draft Structuring Your Essay Learning from Other Writers: Student Essay Marcie Katz Banning Alcohol on College Campuses The Introduction Process Guidelines: Drafting Introductions Body Paragraphs Qualities of an Effective Topic Sentence Placement of the Topic Sentence The Implied Topic Sentence Qualities of an Effective Supporting Details When to Begin a New Paragraph Process Guidelines: Drafting Body Paragraphs The Conclusion Process Guidelines: Drafting Conclusions Drafting the Title of Your Essay Anthony’s Essay in Progress: The First Draft Writing Assignment Chapter 4Revising for Content and Organization Process Guidelines: Preparing to Revise Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: Revising Content Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: Revising Organization Achieving Coherence Use Transitions to Achieve Coherence Use Repetition to Achieve Coherence Use Transitions and Repetition to Achieve Coherencebetween Paragraphs Working Collaboratively: Revising with Reader Response Process Guidelines: Revising with Reader Response Process Guidelines: Breaking through Writer’s Block Revising at the Computer Anthony’s Essay in Progress: Revising the First Draft Chapter 5Revising for Effective Expression Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: Revising Sentences Use Active Voice Use Coordination Use Subordination Achieve Sentence Variety Use Parallel Structure Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: Revising Diction Use an Appropriate Level of Diction Use Words with an Appropriate Connotation Avoid Colloquial Language Use Specific Diction Use Simple Diction Use Gender-Neutral, Inoffensive Language Eliminate Wordiness Avoid Clichés Process Guidelines: Revising Sentences and WordsComputer Tips for Revising Sentences and Words Anthony’s Essay in Progress: The Final Draft Part 2Patterns of Development Chapter 6Description Why Is Description Important? Occasions for Writing: Description across the Disciplines and Beyond Combining Description with Other Patterns Selecting Detail Focus Your Description with a Dominant Impression Determine Your Need for Objective and Subjective Description Use Concrete Sensory Detail Use Similes, Metaphors, and Personification Consider Your Purpose and Audience Be a Responsible Writer Organizing Description Visualizing a Descriptive Essay Learning from Other Writers: Student Essays Adell Lindsey“A Day at the Fair” Jerry Silberman“My First Flight” Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: The Student Writer at Work Learning from Other Writers: Professional Essays James Tuite“The Sounds of the City” Lynn Sherr“Anguished Cries in a Place of Silence” Combining Patterns of Development Suzanne Berne“Where Nothing Says Everything” Organization Note: Short Paragraphs Description in an Image Suggestions for Writing Process Guidelines: Writing Description Chapter 7Narration Why Is Narration Important? Occasions for Writing: Narration across the Disciplines and Beyoe Combining Narration with Other Patterns Selecting Detail Answer the Journalist’s Questions Write Dialogue Describe a Person, Place, or Scene Tell Your Story for a Reason Consider Your Purpose and Audience Be a Responsible Writer Using Sources for a Purpose Organizing Narration Visualizing a Narrative Essay Learning from Other Writers: Student Essays Donald J. Monaco“The Ball Game” Brian DeWolf “The Great Buffalo Hunt” Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: The Student Writer at Work Learning from Other Writers: Professional Essays Paul Hemphill“The Girl in Gift Wrap” Maya Angelou“The Boys” Combining Patterns of Development Anwar Accawi “The Telephone” Punctuation Note: Parentheses Narration in an Image Suggestions for Writing Process Guidelines: Writing Narration Chapter 8Exemplification Why Is Exemplification Important? Occasions for Writing: Exemplification across the Disciplines and Beyond Combining Exemplification with Other Patterns Selecting Detail Consider Examples from a Variety of Sources Use Description and Narration as Examples Use Hypothetical Examples Use the Right Number of Examples Consider Your Purpose and Audience Be a Responsible Writer Organizing Exemplification Visualizing an Exemplification Essay Learning from Other Writers: Student Essays Delilah Rawlins“Ocean of Tears” Ken Hamner “Let’s Just Ban Everything” Student Essay with Research Thomas Baird“Media Stereotyping of Muslims as Terrorists” Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: The Student Writer at Work Learning from Other Writers: Professional Essays Harold Krents“Darkness at Noon” Dawn Turner Trice“Shoddy Service” Combining Patterns of Development Harvey A. Silverglate and Greg Lukianoff“Speech Codes:Alive and Well at Colleges” Style Note: Sarcasm Exemplification in anl Image Suggestions for Writing Process Guidelines: Writing Exemplification Chapter 9Process Analysis Why Is Process Analysis Important? Occasions for Writing: Process Analysis across the Disciplines and Beyond Combining Process Analysis with Other Patterns Selecting Detail Include All the Important Steps Explain How a Step is Performed Explain the Significance of a Step or Why It Is Performed Explain Trouble Spots and What Not to Do Mention Necessary Items and Define Unfamiliar Terms Include Examples and Description Use Visuals Consider Your Purpose and Audience Be a Responsible Writer Organizing a Process Analysis Visualizing a Process Analysis Essay Learning from Other Writers: Student Essays “A Visit to Candyland” Anthony Bello “Feng Shui in the Bedroom and Workplace” Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: The Student Writer at Work Learning from Other Writers: Professional Essays Kirby W. Stanat“How to Take a Job Interview” Ben McGrath“Wicked Wind” Combining Patterns of Development Eric L. Wee“Annie Smith Swept Here” Sthle Note: Point of View Process Analysis in an Image Suggestions for Writing Process Guidelines: Writing Process Analysis Chapter 10Comparison-Contrast Why Is Comparison-Contrast Important? Occasions for Writing: Comparison-Contrast across the Disciplines and Beyond Combining Comparison-Contrast with Other Patterns Selecting Detail Include Enough Points of Comparison and Contrast Draw on Other Patterns to Explain Points of Comparison and Contrast Maintain Balance between the Points Discussed Consider Your Audience and Purpose Be a Responsible Writer Organizing Comparison-Contrast Visualizing a Comparison-Contrast Essay Learning from Other Writers: Student Essays Gus Spirtos “The Human and the Superhuman: Two VeryDifferent Heroes” Maria Scarsella “Like Mother like Daughter” Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: The Student Writer at Work Learning from Other Writers: Professional Essays Rachel Carson“A Fable for Tomorrow” Suzanne Britt“That Lean and Hungry Look” Combining Patterns of Development James Poniewozik“This Is Your Nation on Steroids” Development Note: Dialogue Comparison-Contrast in anImage Sugges tions for Writing Process Guidelines: Writing Comparison-Contrast Chapter 11Cause-and-Effect Analysis Why Is Cause-and-Effect Analysis Important? Occasions for Writing: Cause-and-Effect Analysis across the Disciplines and Beyond Combining Cause-and-Effect Analysis with Other Patterns Selecting Detail Report Multiple Causes and Effects Identify Underlying Causes and Effects Prove That Something Is a Cause or Effect Identify Immediate and Remote Causes Reproduce Causal Chains Explain Why Something Is or Is Not a Cause or an Effect Consider Your Audience and Purpose Be a Responsible Writer Organizing Cause-and-Effect Analysis Visualizing Cause-and-Effect Analysis Learning from Other Writers: Student Essays Cammie Bullock “Mom, There’s a Coyote in the Backyard!” John Selzer “Athletes on Drugs: It’s Not So Hard to Understand” Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: The Student Writer at Work Learning from Other Writers: Professional Essays Anne Roiphe“Why Marriages Fail” Suzanne Sievert“It’s Not Just How We Play That Matters” Combining Patterns of Development Jay Walljasper“Our Schedules, Ourselves” Diction Note: Specific Diction Cause-and-Effect Analysis in an Image Suggestions for Writing Process Guidelines: Writing Cause-and-Effect Analysis Chapter 12Definition Why Is Definition Important? Occasions for Writing: Definition across the Disciplines and Beyond Combining Definition with Other Patterns Selecting Detail Write a Stipulative Definition Draw on Other Patterns of Development Compare or Contrast the Term with Related Words Explain What Your Term Is Not Consider Your Audience and Purpose Be a Responsible Writer Organizing Definition Visualizing a Definition Essay Learning from Other Writers: Student Essays Maria Lopez “Parenthood: Don’t Count on Sleeping until They Move Out” Melissa Greco “What Is Writer’s Block” Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: The Student Writer at Work Learning from Other Writers: Professional Essays Nicholas Thompson “Hero Inflation” Margo Kaufman“My Way!” Combining Patterns of Development Dave Barry“The Pajama Game” Development Note: Questions Definition in an Image Suggestions for Writing Process Guidelines for Writing Definition Chapter 13Classification and Division Why Are Classification and Division Important? Occasions for Writing: Definition across the Disciplines and Beyond Combining Classification and Division with Other Patterns Selecting Detail Have a Principle of Classification or Division Be Sure All Categories or Components Conform to Your Principle of Classification or Division Use Mutually Exclusive Categories Explain Each Category or Component Consider Your Audience and Purpose Be a Responsible Writer Organizing Classification and Division Visualizing Classification and Division Learning from Other Writers: Student Essays Anita Selfe “Grocery Shoppers” Ray Harkleroad “Horror Movies” Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: The Student Writer at Work Learning from Other Writers: Professional Essays Russell Baker“The Plot Against People” Judith Viorst“The Truth about Lying” Kesaya E. Noda“Growing Up Asian in America” Combining Patterns of Development Martin Luther King, Jr.“The Ways of Meeting Oppression” Punctuation Note: The Dash Division in an Image Suggestions for Writing Process Guidelines: Writing Classification and Division Chapter 14Combining Patterns of Development Why Is Combining Patterns Important? Occasions for Writing: Combining Patterns across the Disciplines and Beyond Combining Classification and Division with Other Patterns Selecting and Organizing Detail Learning from Another Writer: A Student Essay Cindy Apostolos “The Many Ways to Watch a Show” Learning from Other Writers: Professional Essays Julia Alvarez“Hold the Mayonnaise” Angie Cannon and Vince Beiser“Juvenile Injustice” Peg Tyre“Boy Brains, Girl Brains” Development Note: Quoting Authorities Combining Patterns in an Image Suggestions for Writing Process Guidelines: Combining Patterns Part ThreeUsing the Patterns of Development Chapter 15 Argumentation Why Is Argumentation Important? Occasions for Writing: Argumentation across the Disciplines and Beyond Finding an Issue and Establishing Your Claim Consider Your Audience and Purpose Kinds of Support Logical Appeals Sources of Reasons and Evidence Inductive and Deductive Reasoning Avoiding Logical Fallacies Emotional Appeals Ethical Appeals Raising and Countering Objections Creating Goodwill Using the Patterns of Development Be a Responsible Writer Organizing an Argument Essay Visualizing an Argument Essay Learning from Other Writers: Student Essays Michael Weiss“It’s Just Too Easy” Cheryl Sateri“What’s for Lunch? Fast Food in the Public Schools" Student Essay with Research Mary E. Fischer“Should Obscene Art Be Funded by the Government?” Think like a Critic; Work like an Editor: The Student Writer at Work Learning from Other Writers: Professional Essays Wayne M. Joseph“Why I Dread Black History Month” John McCain“Torture’s Terrible Toll” Alan M. Dershowitz“The Case for Torture Warrants” Style Note: Emphasis Argumentation in an Image Suggestions for Writing Process Guidelines: Writing Argumentation Chapter 16 Conducting Research When to Research The Research Process Choose a Broad Research Paper Topic Narrow Your Topic Understand Your Purpose Understand the Terms of the Assignment Use Strategies for Narrowing a Topic Skim Source Materials Draft a Preliminary Thesis Locate Sources Consider the Kind of Information You Need Use the Catalog to Locate Books Use Reference Works Use Indexes to Locate Periodical Material Search the Internet Do Field Research Compile a Working Bibliography Evaluate Your Sources Take Notes Reconsider Your Preliminary Thesis Outline Write Your First Draft Document Source Material What to Document How To Document Source Material Introducing Source Material Writing Parenthetical Text Citations Writing the Works Cited Page* Using APA Documentation How to Avoid Plagiarism Learning from Other Writers: A Student Research Paper Julie Cooper“Genetically Modified Food: Watching What We Eat” Chapter 17 Writing with Sources and Using Proper Documentation Outlining Writing Your First Draft Plagiarism Being a Responsible Writer Documenting Source Material Revising and Editing Your Research Paper Learning from Other Writers: A Student Research Paper Julie Cooper, "Genetically Modified Food: Watching What We Eat" Chapter 18 Assessment: Assembling a Writing Portfolio and Writing Essay Examination Answers The Writing Portfolio The Purposes of a Writing Portfolio How To Assemble Your Portfolio What to Include in a Self-Reflection Essay Essay Examination Answers Process Guidelines: Writing Essay Examination Answers Strategies for Reducing Anxiety A Sample Essay Examination Answer Chapter 19Writing about Literature How to Read Literature How to Write about Literature Learning from Other Writers: A Student Essay with Research Michael Hambuchen“Symbol and Theme in ‘Coca Cola and Coca Frio’" A Short Story and Poem for Response Saki (H.H. Munro)“The Open Window” John Heaviside“A Gathering of Deafs” Part FourA Guide to Frequently Occurring Errors Chapter 20 Word Choice Troublesome Phrasings Phrasings That Announce Your Intent Unnecessary or Faulty Modifiers Faulty Synonyms Etc. Faulty Grammar and Usage ESL Note: Idioms Double Negatives (dn) Frequently Confused Words Chapter 21 Sentence Fragments Finding Sentence Fragments Correcting Sentence Fragments ESL Note: The Past Participe and Passive Voice Chapter 22 Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices Finding Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices Correcting Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices ESL Note: Commas and Main Clauses Chapter 23Verbs Verb Forms: Regular and Irregular Verbs ESL Note: Incorrect Use of –D and –ED Endings ESL Note: Use of Am with the Present Participle Irregular Verb Forms Verb Forms: Be ESL Note: Use of Has and Have with Been -S and –ES Forms -D and ED Forms Subject-Verb Agreement Compound Subjects Subject and Verb Separated Inverted Order Indefinite Pronouns Collective Nouns Relative Pronouns ESL Note: Singular Verbs and Noncount Nouns Tense Shifts Voice Shifts Chapter 24 Pronouns Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Compound Subjects Collective Nouns Indefinite Pronouns Gender-Neutral Pronouns Pronoun Reference Ambiguous Reference Unstated Reference Person Shifts Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Pronoun Case Pronouns in Compounds Pronouns after Forms of To Be Pronouns in Comparisons Pronouns Followed by Nouns Who, Whoever, Whom, and Whomever ESL Note: Pronoun Reference and Who, Whom, Which, or That Chapter 25 Modifiers Adjectives and Adverbs Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adjectives and Adverbs ESL Note: A, An, and The Dangling Modifiers Misplaced Modifiers Chapter 26 Punctuation The Comma Commas with Items in a Series Commas with Introductory Elements Commas to Set Off Nouns of Direct Address Commas with Nonesse ntial Elements Commas with Interrupters Commas with Main Clauses Commas between Coordinate Modifiers, Commas for Clarity,and Commas to Separate Contrasting Elements When Not to Use a Comma The Semicolon The Colon The Dash Parentheses The Apostrophe The Apostrophe to Show Possession The Apostrophe to Indicate Missing Letters or Numbers and forSome Plurals ESL Note: Its and It’s Quotation Marks The Ellipsis Mark Brackets Italics and Underlining Chapter 27Capitalization, Spelling, Abbreviations, and Numbers Capitalization ESL Note: Capitalization Spelling ESL Note: Spelling The Hyphen Abbreviations and Numbers Appendix: The Parts of Speech Revising and Editing Reference Guide Revising and Editing Symbols

About the Author :
Barbara Clouse has taught all levels of college composition, first at Youngstown State University in northeastern Ohio and then at Slippery Rock University in western Pennsylvania. She has also written a number of composition texts. In addition to A Troubleshooting Guide for Writers, her books include The Student Writer: Editor and Critic, Jumpstart: A Workbook for Writers, Patterns for a Purpose: A Rhetorical Reader, and Transitions: From Reading to Writing, all written for McGraw-Hill. She has also developed Cornerstones: Readings for Writers, which is a short prose reader that is part of Primis, McGraw-Hill's custom publishing database. Barbara has also written Progressions with Readings and Conventions and Expectations: A Brief Handbook and Guide to Writing for Longman Publishers. A frequent presenter at national and regional conferences, Barbara often conducts workshops for writing teachers. McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide.