Writing Today with Student Access to Catalyst

Writing Today: Contexts and Options for the Real World is a text designed to help students see reading and writing as practical tools both in college and in the world of work. This text focuses on both academic and professional contexts for writing.

Table of Contents:
PART 1: APPROACHESChapter 1: The Essay: Determining Purpose, Audience, and ApproachCharacteristics of the EssayRhetorical ContextDefining Your PurposeDefining Your AudienceRhetorical StructuresThe Classical Pattern of OrganizationAnticipating Rhetorical OptionsReading with a Writer’s EyeConsider the Writer’s Rhetorical Context and Rhetorical StructuresConsider Your Purposes as a ReaderSuzanne Britt, Neat People vs. Sloppy PeopleEssay AnalysisThe Essay’s Rhetorical ContextThe Essay’s Rhetorical StructureWriting with a Reader’s EyeSTUDENT ESSAY: "A Very Secret Santa"The Writing ProcessUsing the InternetChapter 2: Shaping Your Essay: Prewriting, Organizing, and DraftingWhy Should You Plan an Essay?Choosing Your TopicEstablishing Your Rhetorical ContextPrewriting StrategiesConsidering Your Purpose and AudienceConsidering Your Learning StyleAural Learners: Brainstorming with PeersAural Learners: Brainstorming with a Recorder Verbal Learners: Written Brainstorming Verbal Learners: FreewritingVerbal Learners: Invisible WritingVerbal Learners: LoopingVisual Learners: Clustering and Chart MakingFocusing StrategiesEstablishing Your Working ThesisFocusing Your ThesisOrganizational StrategiesStructuring Your PrewritingInformal OutlinesSentence OutlinesFormal OutlinesDrafting StrategiesDrafting In-class EssaysDrafting Out-of-Class EssaysDrafting with a ComputerEstablishing Your VoiceSTUDENT ESSAY: Verlinda’s First Draft of "A Very Secret Santa"Using the InternetChapter 3: Developing Strong Paragraphs: Exploring Your OptionsParagraphs in ContextIntroductory ParagraphsPositioning the ThesisGetting Your Reader’s AttentionBody ParagraphsDescription Narration ExemplificationProcess AnalysisCausal Analysis Definition Classification Comparison/Contrast Argument Concluding ParagraphsWriting Effective Topic SentencesTopic Sentence at the Paragraph’s BeginningEnding with the Topic SentenceTopic Sentence within the ParagraphTopic Sentence Used for Two ParagraphsThe Implied Topic SentenceAchieving UnityAchieving CoherenceUsing Effective TransitionsAchieving Coherence Through Careful Choice of Nouns and PronounsUsing ParallelismAchieving Specificity Through the Use of Concrete DetailsUsing the InternetChapter 4: Reshaping Your Essay: Global RevisionPeer Response and ReviewPeer Review ChecklistResponding to Suggestions for RevisionSTUDENT ESSAY: Peer-Reviewed Draft of "A Very Secret Santa"Using a Word Processor to ReviseRevising EssaysChecking for UnityImproving CoherenceUsing the Appropriate Language LevelMaking Your Language More Concrete and SpecificFinding the Right ToneChecking Your Introductory Paragraphs and ThesisChecking Your Topic Sentences and Body ParagraphsChecking Your ConclusionCompleting Your Essay on ComputerWriting an Effective TitleUsing the InternetChapter 5: Refining Your Essay: Editing and ProofreadingCombining SentencesMerging and Submerging Related IdeasMergingSubmergingCoordinating and Subordinating Related IdeasUsing Coordinating ConjunctionsUsing Conjunctive Adverbs/Transitional ExpressionsUsing Subordinating ConjunctionsUsing Correlative ConjunctionsUsing Hybrid Sentence PatternsCompound SentencesComplex SentencesCompound-Complex SentencesUsing Periodic and Climactic Sentence Structure to Create EmphasisChoosing Words CarefullyStriving for ParallelismIncluding All Necessary WordsAvoiding Awkward RepetitionUsing Only Words That MatterAvoiding RedundancyAvoiding EuphemismsUsing Figurative Language AppropriatelyAvoiding ClichésLearning to Use Denotation and ConnotationUsing Idiomatic EnglishUsing Active, Specific LanguageUsing the InternetPART 2 : STRUCTURESChapter 6: DescriptionHow Does Description Work?Reading the Descriptive Essay with a Writer’s EyeThomas McGuane, RoanieMaxine Hong Kingston, Photographs of My ParentsHildegard Knef, From The Gift HorseSherman Alexie, Family PortraitWriting the Descriptive Essay with a Reader’s EyeIssues to Keep in MindAudience and Language LevelDescription and NarrativeObjective Description versus Subjective DescriptionStructuring Your DescriptionChoosing a TopicPrewritingOrganizingDraftingThe IntroductionThe BodyThe ConclusionRevising Your DraftQuestions for Revising a Descriptive EssaySTUDENT ESSAYS: Jennifer Janisz, "Help! Anyone!"Jennifer’s Final DraftJennifer’s First DraftExercise: RevisingAdditional Writing TopicsResponding to a PhotographWriting about FilmUsing the InternetChapter 7: NarrationHow Does Narration Work?Reading the Narrative Essay with a Writer’s EyeLynda Barry, The Sanctuary of SchoolSandra Cisneros, Only DaughterAnnie Dillard, The ChaseGeorge Orwell, A HangingWriting the Personal Narrative with a Reader’s EyeIssues to Keep in MindUsing Time EconomicallyTransitionsParagraphing and Topic SentencesChoosing a TopicPrewritingOrganizingDraftingThe IntroductionThe BodyThe ConclusionRevising Your DraftQuestions for Revising a NarrativeSTUDENT ESSAY: Claire Reid, "After the Fray"Claire’s Final DraftClaire’s First DraftExercise: RevisingAdditional Writing TopicsResponding to a PhotographWriting about FilmUsing the InternetChapter 8: ExemplificationHow Does Exemplification Work?Reading the Exemplification Essay with a Writer’s EyePhyllis Rose, Shopping and Other Spiritual Adventures in America TodayBrent Staples, Just Walk on ByLars Eighner, On Dumpster DivingHarry F. Waters, Life According to TVWriting the Exemplification Essay with a Reader’s EyeIssues to Keep in MindSources of ExamplesRelevant and Representative ExamplesChoosing a TopicPrewritingOrganizingDraftingThe IntroductionThe BodyThe ConclusionRevising Your DraftQuestions for Revising an Exemplification EssaySTUDENT ESSAY: Jennifer Janisz, "Three Families"Jennifer’s Final DraftJennifer’s First DraftExercise: RevisingAdditional Writing TopicsResponding to a PhotographWriting about FilmUsing the InternetChapter 9: Process AnalysisHow Does Process Analysis Work?Reading the Process Analysis Essay with a Writer’s EyeJerry Jesness, Why Johnny Can’t FailJoan Gould, Binding DecisionsMalcolm X, My First ConkUmberto Eco, How Not to Use the Fax Machine and the Cellular PhoneWriting the Process Analysis Essay with a Reader’s EyeIssues to Keep in MindAudience AnalysisLanguage LevelVoiceChoosing a TopicPrewritingOrganizingDraftingThe IntroductionThe BodyThe ConclusionRevising Your DraftQuestions for Reviewing a Process Analysis EssaySTUDENT ESSAY: Manny Meregildo, "Get the Right Job"Manny’s Final DraftManny’s First DraftExercise: RevisingAdditional Writing TopicsResponding to a PhotographWriting about FilmUsing the InternetChapter 10: Causal AnalysisHow Does Causal Analysis Work?Reading the Causal Analysis Essay with a Writer’s EyeBarbara Ehrenreich, The Cult of BusynessNatalie Angier, Is War Our Biological Destiny?Gore Vidal, DrugsRichard Rhodes, Hollow Claims about Fantasy ViolenceWriting the Causal Analysis Essay with a Reader’s EyeIssues to Keep in MindWeighing the Causes or EffectsChoosing Internal StrategiesChoosing a TopicPrewritingOrganizingDraftingThe IntroductionThe BodyThe ConclusionRevising Your DraftQuestions for Reviewing a Causal Analysis EssaySTUDENT ESSAY: Noelani Jones, "Worlds Apart"Noelani’s Final DraftNoelani’s First DraftExercise: RevisingAdditional Writing TopicsResponding to a PhotographWriting about FilmUsing the InternetChapter 11: DefinitionHow Does Definition Work?Reading the Definition Essay with a Writer’s EyeJudy Brady, Why I Want a WifeWilliam Raspberry, The Handicap of DefinitionAnnie Dillard, So This Was AdolescenceTony Earley, The Quare GeneWriting the Definition Essay with a Reader’s EyeIssues to Keep in MindUsing Brief DefinitionsUsing Negative DefinitionsObjective Definition and Subjective DefinitionStrategies for Developing a DefinitionChoosing a TopicPrewritingOrganizingDraftingThe IntroductionThe BodyThe ConclusionRevising Your DraftQuestions for Reviewing an Extended DefinitionSTUDENT ESSAY: Curtis Ray Mosley, "Trailer Park Girls"Curtis’s Final DraftCurtis’s First DraftExercise: RevisingAdditional Writing TopicsResponding to a PhotographWriting about FilmUsing the InternetChapter 12: ClassificationHow Does Classification Work?Reading the Classification Essay with a Writer’s EyeFran Lebowitz, The Sound of Music: Enough AlreadyTom Kuntz, Not Sold by Intellectual WeightMartin Luther King Jr., Three Types of Resistance to OppressionPaul Fussell, Notes on ClassWriting the Classification Essay with a Reader’s EyeIssues to Keep in MindMethods of Explaining CategoriesInformative Classification Versus Personal ClassificationLanguage LevelChoosing a TopicPrewritingOrganizingDraftingThe IntroductionThe BodyThe ConclusionRevising Your DraftQuestions for Reviewing a Classification EssaySTUDENT ESSAY: Sam Leininger, "Fraud Alert"Sam’s Final DraftSam’s First DraftExercise: RevisingAdditional Writing TopicsResponding to a PhotographWriting about FilmUsing the InternetChapter 13: Comparison and ContrastHow Does Comparison/Contrast Work?Reading the Comparison/Contrast Essay with a Writer’s EyeEllen Currie, Two Varieties of KillersBharati Mukherjee, Two Ways to Belong in AmericaDavid Sedaris, Family EngineeringBarbara Mellix, From Outside, InWriting the Comparison/Contrast Essay with a Reader’s EyeIssues to Keep in MindBalanced SubjectsUsing TransitionsChoosing a TopicPrewritingOrganizingDraftingThe IntroductionThe BodyThe ConclusionRevising Your DraftQuestions for Reviewing a Comparison/Contrast EssaySTUDENT ESSAY: Sam Leininger, "The Two Sides of the Aisle"Sam’s Final DraftSam’s First DraftExercise: RevisingAdditional Writing TopicsResponding to a PhotographWriting about FilmUsing the InternetChapter 14: ArgumentHow Does Argument Work?Reading the Argument Essay with a Writer’s EyeWalter S. Minot, Students Who Push BurgersDeborah Tannen, The Triumph of the YellCaryl Rivers, What Should Be Done about Rock Lyrics?Michael Levin, The Case for TortureWriting the Argument Essay with a Reader’s EyeIssues to Keep in MindThe Language of ArgumentSupporting the Essay’s ClaimsLogical FallaciesConsider Your Audience and PurposeChoosing a TopicPrewritingOrganizingDraftingThe Introduction The BodyThe ConclusionRevising Your DraftQuestions for Reviewing an Argument EssaySTUDENT ESSAY: Sam Leininger, "My Simple and Modest Plan"Sam’s Final DraftSam’s First DraftExercise: RevisingAdditional Writing TopicsResponding to a PhotographWriting about FilmUsing the InternetChapter 15: The Blended EssayHow Does the Blended Essay Work?Reading the Blended Essay with a Writer’s EyeScott Russell Sanders, The Men We Carry in Our MindsAnthony Bourdain, Don’t Eat Before Reading ThisElisabeth Kubler-Ross, On the Fear of DeathRobert B. Reich, Why the Rich Are Getting Richer and the Poor PoorerWriting the Blended Essay with a Reader’s EyePrewritingOrganizingDraftingRevising Your DraftQuestions for Reviewing a Blended EssaySTUDENT ESSAY: Kevin Hunkovic, "Three Years Without Liberty"Additional Writing TopicsResponding to a PhotographWriting about FilmUsing the InternetPART 3 : APPLICATIONSChapter 16: Essay ExaminationsStudy for the ExamRead the DirectionsShort AnswersParagraphsEssaysAllocate Your TimeInterpret Key WordsPrewriting Essay ResponsesDrafting Essay ResponsesSample Essay Exam ResponseChapter 17: Business FormatsE-Mail, Memos, and Business LettersE-MailThe Practical ContextThe Rhetorical ContextMemosFormattingExamplesWriting AssignmentsBusiness LettersFormattingElements of the LetterExamplesWriting AssignmentsRésumés and Letters of ApplicationElements of a RésuméElements of an Application LetterWriting AssignmentsChapter 18: Quoting TextGeneral Principles for Quoting TextIncorporating Direct Quotations: MLA GuidelinesIncorporating Direct Quotations: APA GuidelinesChapter 19: Writing about LiteratureGeneral Guidelines for Reading LiteratureGeneral Guidelines for Writing About LiteratureWriting about FictionUseful Terms for Writing about FictionNaguib Mahfouz, The Answer Is NoAnalysisStudent Responses to The Answer is NoWriting about PoetryWilliam Wordsworth, Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802Student Response: Beauty in a Strange Context Useful Terms for Writing About PoetryChapter 20: The Research ProcessNarrowing Your Topic and Framing a Research QuestionBeginning with Tools from the Reference RoomUsing Primary and Secondary SourcesCreating a Working BibliographyLocating Books and Articles on Your TopicComputerized Book CataloguesThe Traditional Card CataloguePeriodical IndexesElectronic DatabasesSearching the InternetA Brief Glossary of Internet TermsInternet Search Tools: URLs, Directories, and Search EnginesA Brief List of Popular Search EnginesThree Tips on Using Search EnginesEvaluating SourcesTips on Evaluating Sources for Your Research PaperTips on Evaluating Electronic Sources for Your Research PaperTaking NotesAvoiding PlagiarismChapter 21: The Research PaperGeneral Strategies for the Research PaperThe MLA-Style Research PaperParenthetical (In-Text) CitationsThe Works Cited ListThe Basic Works Cited FormatMLA Citations--BooksMLA Citations--Periodical ArticlesMLA Citations--Online SourcesMLA Citations--Miscellaneous SourcesMLA Research Paper FormatSample Research Paper in MLA Format: Valerie Richfield, "Child Care and the Working Poor"Checklist for MLA-Style Research PapersThe APA-Style Research PaperIn-Text CitationsThe Reference ListThe Basic Reference FormatAPA Citations--BooksAPA Citations--Periodical ArticlesAPA Citations--Online SourcesAPA Citations--Miscellaneous SourcesAPA Research Paper FormatChecklist for APA-Style Research PapersPART 4: GRAMMAR AND MECHANICSChapter 22: Parts of Speech22a Nouns22b Pronouns22c Adjectives22d Articles22e Prepositions22f Conjunctions22g Verbs22h Verb Tense22i Verb Mood22j Verb Voice22k Verbals22l Adverbs22m Placement of Adverbs22n InterjectionsChapter 23: Sentence Parts and Sentence TypesSentence Parts23a Subjects23b Predicates23c Objects23d Complements23e Phrases23f ClausesSentence Types23g Creating Emphasis and Variety: Compound Sentences23h Creating Emphasis and Variety Through SubordinationChapter 24: Major Sentence ErrorsSentence Fragments24a Phrases as Fragments24b Dependent Clauses as Fragments24c Intentional FragmentsAvoiding "Run-ons": Fused Sentences and Comma Splices24d Use a Full Stop (Period, Semicolon, or Colon) Between the Independent Clauses24e Use a Comma and Coordinating Conjunction (And, But, For, Nor, Or, So Yet) to Connect the Two Independent Clauses24f Change One of the Two Independent Clauses to a Dependent Clause or to a PhraseOther Sentence-Level Problems24g Problems with Parallelism24h Avoiding Faulty Comparisons24i Avoiding Mixed ConstructionsChapter 25: Problems with VerbsSubject-Verb Agreement25a Subjects Connected by and25b Compound Subjects Treated as Singular Constructions25c Subjects Connected by Or, Nor, Either...Or, Neither...Nor, and Not Only...But Also25d Subjects That Are Indefinite Pronouns 25e Subjects That Are Collective Nouns25f Other Collective Nouns That Cause Agreement ProblemsSpecial Situations25g Subjects Separated from Their Verbs25h Subjects and Linking Verbs25i Subjects That Follow Verbs: Inverted Sentence Structures Verb Shifts25j Tense Shifts25k Voice Shifts25l Mood ShiftsChapter 26: Problems with PronounsPronoun-Antecedent Agreement26a Antecedents That Use and and Other Connectors26b Antecedents Joined by Or, Nor, Either...Or, Neither...Nor, and Not Only…But Also26c Antecedents That Are Indefinite Pronouns26d Antecedents That Are Collective Nouns26e Other Collective Nouns That Cause Agreement ProblemsPronoun Reference26f Pronouns Without Appropriate Antecedents26g Pronouns with Unclear Antecedents26h Avoiding Shifts of PersonPronoun Case26i The Subjective Case, the Objective Case, and the Possessive Case26j Pronouns That Are Subject Complements26k The Subjective Case and Comparisons26l Pronouns That Are Subjects of Clauses26m Reflexive Pronouns and Intensive PronounsChapter 27: Problems with Modifiers27a Misplaced and Ambiguous (Squinting) Modifiers27b Dangling Modifiers27c Incorrect Substitution of Adjectives and Adverbs27d Problems with Comparatives and Superlatives27e Problems with Adjective Order27f Problems with Split Infinitives27g Problems with ArticlesChapter 28: Punctuating Sentences with Commas28a Commas with Independent Clauses28b Commas with Introductory Clauses, Phrases, and Words28c Commas and Nonessential Elements28d Commas and Items in a Series28e Commas with Coordinate Adjectives28f Commas with Other Expressions28g Commas and Conventional Uses28h Unnecessary CommasChapter 29: Punctuating Sentences with Other Punctuation Marks29a Periods (.)29b Semicolons (;)29c Question Marks (?) and Exclamation Marks (!)29d Colons (:)29e Dashes (--)29f Parentheses ( )29g Brackets ([ ])29h Double Quotation Marks (“ ”)29i Single Quotation Marks (‘ ’)29j Quotation Marks with Other Punctuation29k Apostrophes (’)29l Slashes (/)Chapter 30: Mechanics30a Capitalization30b Italics and Underlining30c Numbers and Numerals30d HyphensChapter 31: Diction, Usage, and Spelling31a Using the Right Word31b Denotation and Connotation31c General Versus Specific Nouns and Verbs31d Writing Lean Sentences31e Avoiding Sexist Language31f Using Figur ative Language and Avoiding Clichés31g Avoiding Fillers, Euphemisms, and Jargon31h Using the Appropriate Language Level31i Using a Consistent Language Level31j Using the Correct Idiom31k Improving Your SpellingChapter 32: A Glossary of UsageIndex