Small and inexpensive, Simple, Clear, and Correct: Essays provides a brief, yet thorough, introduction to writing college essays and research writing, presenting guidelines and explanations for each stage of the writing process.
Table of Contents:
PART I: FROM BASIC IDEAS TO COMPLETE DRAFT Chapter 1: Understanding the Essay: Process and Product
Overview: Understanding the Structure and Scope of the Essay
Recognizing the Relationship between Your Aim and Your Approach in an Essay
Understanding the Paragraph: Definition and Explanation
Understanding the Structure of the Essay
Formatting Your Essay Properly
Dealing with a Writing Assignment: Examining a Successful Essay
Chapter 2. Prewriting
Overview: Understanding Prewriting
Freewriting
Brainstorming
Clustering
Branching
Establishing Which Prewriting Technique Is Best for You
Chapter 3. Composing
Overview: Understanding the Composing Stage
Understanding the Nature of an Effective Thesis
Developing an Effective Topic Sentence
Drawing on Prewriting Material to Create a Draft Thesis
Focusing on Strong Supporting Details and Examples
Amplifying: Transforming Writer-Centered Ideas to Reader-Centered
Sentences and Paragraphs
Creating an Effective Introduction and Conclusion
Creating a Rough Draft and a First Draft
Chapter 4. Revising
Overview: Understanding the Revising Stage
Reassessing for Unity, Coherence, and Language
Seeking Help from an Objective Reader
Redrafting
Editing: Eliminating Errors
Looking Again at the Final Draft
PART II: THE MODES: CONSIDERING THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES AND APPROACHES
Chapter 5. Narration
Overview: Understanding Narration
Provide Effective Transition
Employ Chronological Order
Use Appropriate Flashbacks and Flashforwards
Choose an Effective Point of View
Provide a thorough Presentation
Use a Narrative Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft
Analysis: Examining an Annotated Narrative Essay
Illustration: Considering a Narrative Essay
Chapter 6. Description
Overview: Understanding Description
The Elements of a Successful Descriptive Essay
Provide Sufficient Transition
Use Appropriate Sensory Details
Include Both Objective and Subjective Description
Provide a Thoroughly Developed and Focused Presentation
Employ Spatial Order or Some Other Appropriate Method of Organization
Use a Descriptive Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft
Analysis: Examining an Annotated Descriptive Essay
Illustration: Considering a Descriptive Essay
Chapter 7. Example
Overview: Understanding Example
The Elements of a Successful Example Essay
Provide Sufficient Transition
Make Your Supporting Examples Specific
Supply Relevant Examples
Provide Multiple Examples
Arrange Your Examples Effectively
Use an Example Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft
Analysis: Examining an Annotated Example Essay
Illustration: Considering an Example Essay
Chapter 8. Process
Overview: Understanding Process
The Elements of a Successful Process Essay
Provide Sufficient Transition
Use the Imperative Mood When Appropriate
Divide the Process into Simple, Logical Steps
Specify What to Expect and What to Avoid
Rely on Linear Order
Use a Process Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft
Analysis: Examining an Annotated Process Essay
Illustration: Considering a Process Essay
Chapter 9. Definition
Overview: Understanding Definition
The Elements of a Successful Definition Essay
Provide Sufficient Transition
Understand the Elements of a Successful Definition
Consider Formal, Limited, and Extended Definition
Recognize Denotation and Connotations
Look to Synonyms, Etymology and Negation
Use a Definition Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft
Analysis: Examining an Annotated Definition Essay
Illustration: Considering a Definition Essay
Chapter 10. Comparison and Contrast
Overview: Understanding Comparison and Contrast
The Elements of a Successful Comparison and Contrast Essay
Provide Sufficient Transition
Specify Your Subjects and Focus
Establish a Basic for Comparison or Contrast
Include a Thorough Presentation
Choose the Correct Method of Arrangement
Use a Comparison and Contrast Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft
Analysis: Examining an Annotated Comparison and Contrast Essay
Illustration: Considering a Comparison and Contrast Essay
Chapter 11. Cause and Effect
Overview: Understanding Cause and Effect
The Elements of a Successful Cause and Effect Essay
Provide Sufficient Transition
Identify a Focus: Cause or Effect
Distinguish between Direct and Related Causes and Effects
Avoid Oversimplifying Causes and Effects
Arrange Elements Effectively
Use a Cause and Effect Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft
Analysis: Examining an Annotated Cause and Effect Essay
Illustration: Considering a Cause and Effect Essay
Chapter 12. Division and Classification
Overview: Understanding Division and Classification
The Elements of a Successful Division and Classification Essay
Provide Sufficient Transition
Establish a Logical Method of Analysis
Maintain a Clear and Consistent Presentation
Include Distinct and Complete Elements of Analysis
Select an Appropriate Method of Arrangement
Use a Division and Classification Essay Checklist to Evaluate
Your Draft
Analysis: Examining an Annotated Division and Classification Essay
Illustration: Considering a Division and Classification Essay
Chapter 13. Argument
Overview: Understanding Argument–Aim Versus Mode
The Elements of a Successful Argument Essay
Provide Sufficient Transition
Declare a Clear Stance on the Issue
Develop Sufficient Valid Support
Recognize the Importance of Tone
Avoid Errors in Logic
Turn to Emphatic Order
Use an Argument Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft
Analysis: Examining an Annotated Argument Essay
Illustration: Considering an Argument Essay
PART III: SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS: TIMED WRITING TASKS AND ISSUES OF RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION
Chapter 14. Timed Writing Tasks
Overview: Dealing with Essay Questions and Other In-Class Writings
Answering an Essay Question Effectively
Prepare
Anticipate
Rehearse
Completing an In-Class Writing Assessment Effectively
Recognize the Difficulties Involved
Make Sure You Understand the Exact Assignment
Manage Your Time Effectively
Take Advantage of the Five-Paragraph Essay, if Appropriate
Proofread to Identify and Correct Errors in Form
Chapter 15. Research Activities: Development and Documentation
Understanding the Process for Drawing Information from Sources and
Documenting Them Correctly
Identifying and Narrowing Your Topic
Establishing a Plan
Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism
Exploring Sources
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
Incorporating Source Information in Your Writing
Direct Quotation
Paraphrase
Summary
Documenting Your Sources Correctly According to the MLA
System
In the Text
At the End of the Document
Considering Citations for a Sampling of Documents
PART IV: DEALING WITH MATTERS OF FORM
Chapter 16. Parts of Speech and Parts and Types of Sentences
Chapter 17. Fragments
Chapter 18. Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences
Chapter 19. Subject-Verb Agreement
Chapter 20. Verb Use: Basic Tenses, Irregular Forms, and Appropriate Voice
Chapter 21. Noun and Pronoun Use
Chapter 22. Adjectives, Adverbs, and Other Modifiers
Chapter 23. Spelling
Chapter 24. Parallelism
Chapter 25. Punctuation and Capitalization
