Preface. Part I: WRITING PARAGRAPHS AND ESSAYS.
1. Understanding the Writing Process.
Prewriting.
Writing.
Rewriting.
2. Selecting and Limiting a Topic.
Selecting Your Own Topic.
Modifying an Assigned Topic.
Limiting a Topic.
3. Setting Goals and Generating Ideas.
Using Invention Strategies.
Using Informal Planning Outlines.
4. Constructing Paragraphs: Topic Sentences.
Basic Structure of a Paragraph.
Writing Effective Topic Sentences.
Identifying Topic Sentences/Main Ideas in Paragraphs.
5. Constructing Paragraphs: Supporting Details.
Using Specific Details to Support Topic Sentences.
Patterns for Structuring Supporting Details.
Relevant and Irrelevant Details.
6. Moving From Paragraph to Essay.
Introduction: Stating the Thesis.
Body: Developing the Thesis.
Conclusion: Reemphasizing the Thesis.
From Paragraph to Essay.
7. Gathering Information.
Interviewing.
Observing.
Combining Interviews and Observations.
8. Achieving Coherence.
Arranging Ideas.
Connecting Ideas.
Unifying Ideas.
Achieving Coherence in Essays.
9. Revising Your Essay.
Revising for Focus and Unity.
Revising for Content and Development.
Revising for Organization and Coherence.
Strategies for Revising.
Editing and Proofreading.
Part II: METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT.
10. Description.
Understanding Description.
Writing Descriptive Paragraphs.
Writing Descriptive Essays.
11. Narration.
Understanding Narration.
Writing Narrative Paragraphs.
Writing Narrative Essays.
12. Process.
Understanding Process Writing.
Writing Process Paragraphs.
Writing Process Essays.
13. Example.
Understanding Examples.
Understanding Example Paragraphs.
Writing Example Essays.
14. Comparison and Contrast
Understanding Comparison and Contrast.
Writing Comparison and Contrast Paragraphs.
Writing Comparison and Contrast Essays.
15. Classification.
Understanding Classification.
Writing Classification Paragraphs.
Writing Classification Essays.
16. Cause and Effect
Understanding Cause and Effect.
Writing Cause and Effect Paragraphs.
Writing Cause and Effect Essays.
17. Definition.
Understanding Definition.
Writing Definition Paragraphs.
Writing Definition Essays.
18. Persuasion.
Understanding Persuasion.
Writing Persuasive Paragraphs.
Writing Persuasive Essays.
Part III: WRITING AND EDITING SENTENCES.
19. Simple Sentences.
Essential Elements of the Sentence.
Basic Patterns of the Simple Sentence.
20. Expanding the Simple Sentence.
Adjectives.
Adverbs.
Prepositional Phrases.
Appositives.
21. Compound Sentences.
Connecting Independent Clauses.
Punctuating Compound Sentences.
22. Complex Sentences.
Adverb Clauses.
Adjective Clauses.
Noun Clauses.
Signaling Relationships in Complex Sentences.
Punctuating Complex Sentences.
23. Sentence Fragments and Run-On Sentences.
Sentence Fragments.
Run-On Sentences.
Correcting Run-On Sentences.
24. Subject-Verb Agreement.
Agreement with Regular and Irregular Verbs.
Special Problems with Subject-Verb Agreement.
25. Pronoun Usage.
Pronoun Reference and Agreement.
Pronoun Case.
Using Pronouns with -Self and -Selves.
Using a Consistent Point of View.
Using Nonsexist Pronouns.
26. Verb Tenses and Forms.
Regular Verbs.
Irregular Verbs.
Problem Verbs: Sit/Set, Lie/Lay, Rise/Raise.
Special Uses of the Verbs To Be and To Have.
Consistency in Tense.
27. Modifiers.
Adjective or Adverb?
Comparatives and Superlatives.
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers.
28. Sentence Style.
Avoiding Wordiness.
Achieving Sentence Variety.
Writing Effective Comparisons.
Achieving Parallelism.
29. Punctuation and Capitalization.
Punctuation.
Capitalization.
30. Spelling.
Personal Spelling Problems.
Commonly Misspelled Words.
Spelling Rules and Patterns.
Appendix A: Documenting and Citing Sources.
Appendix B: Glossary of Research Terms.
Appendix C: Sample Student Paper (MLA Style).
Part IV: CRITICAL READING AND WRITING STRATEGIES.
31. Reading Critically.
Developing Critical Reading Skills.
Guidelines for Critical Reading.
32. Outlining and Summarizing.
Outlining to Study.
Summarizing.
33. Reviewing Books and Films.
Reading/Viewing the Work to Be Reviewed.
Writing the Report/Review.
Annotated Book Review.
34. Taking Essay Exams.
Understanding Essay Exam Terminology.
Guidelines for Taking Essay Exams.
Part V:A MINI-READER ON AMERICAN CULTURE.
Identity.
Mother and Freedom, by Maya Angelou.
Living in Two Worlds, by Marcus Mabry.
Tossing Identity and a Bouquet, by Ellen Goodman.
Cumulative Assignments for Identity.
College Life.
In Praise of the F Word. by Mary Sherry.
Freshman Year 101, by Tim Madigan.
College Valued Less for Learning Than for Earning, by Ethan Bronner.
Cumulative Assignments for College Life.
Lifestyles.
Chinese Space, American Space by Yi-Fu Tuan.
What You Do Is What You Are, by Nickie McWhirter.
Made in America, by Bill Bryson.
Could You Live with Less?, by Stephanie Mills.
Cumulative Assignments for Lifestyles.
Diversity.
Child of the Americas, by Aurora Levins Morales.
The Legacy of Generation N, by Christy Haubegger.
Time to Look and Listen, by Magdoline Asfahani.
I Have a Dream, by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Cumulative Assignments for Diversity.
A print text