Curious Writer, The, 6th edition

For courses in first-year composition and rhetoric.

Writing as exploratory rather than formulaic

The Curious Writer doesn't read like a textbook nor a set of guidelines for composing essays. Instead, it encourages students to suspend judgment, ask questions, and seek answers. It covers genres beyond the academic essay with a "personality" lacking in similar resources. By acting on their own curiosities, readers develop the habits of mind to become critical thinkers and writers.

The 6th Edition features 2 new coauthors and brings genre and reflection to centerstage. A series of new readings on climate change, which demonstrates writing approaches by genre, has also been added.

Hallmark features of this title

Dynamic content organized for inquiry

• The texts' 4-part inquiry-based approach introduces inquiry-based writing (Part 1); provides practice via interpretive and persuasive inquiry projects (Part 2); focuses on research (Part 3); and serves as a field guide to revision (Part 4).
• Embedded assessments check understanding and provide timely feedback along the way.
• Writing assignments foster and assess critical thinking with no significant impact on the grading burden:
  • A 3-act reflection (beginning, middle and end of each chapter) prompts reflection on how to apply learning to diverse writing situations.
  • Chapter-opening exercises introduce writing genres and spark discussion.
  • Invention exercises (Part 2) are designed to help students find and develop topics.
• Free download: The Pearson Guide to the 2021 MLA Handbook.

New and updated features of this title

Focus on genre and re-genre

• EXPANDED: Students learn about re-genre when challenged to transform a completed writing assignment into a multimedia project in just one of many innovative projects included (e.g., social media campaigns, movie trailers, etc.).
• NEW: A new series of readings about climate change (including one reading per genre chapter in Part 2) demonstrates how different genres might approach the same question.

Development of critical writing and reading skills

• EXPANDED: Reflection is a major focus of the new edition. Students are encouraged to consider how they can use what they're learning to improve their writing approach.
• UPDATED: A stronger focus on argumentative writing is buoyed by a revised Chapter 9 and the restructuring of Part 2 assignments with interpretive inquiry and persuasive inquiry.
• REVISED: Updated coverage includes a new description of the process of "binocular" reading that encourages students to approach difficult texts through a personal and rhetorical lens; revised learning objectives and end-of-chapter assessments (with notes throughout each chapter highlighting where the objectives come into play); and Part 2, which is project-based, has been restructured into 2 types of inquiry projects: interpretative inquiry and persuasive inquiry.