Wordsmith : Essentials of College English

by Arlov, Pamela; Arlov, Nick

• ISBN13: 9780130488947
• ISBN10: 0130488941
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-30
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

In the REAL WORLD, do we practice writing skills in isolation? With coverage of more than just basic writing skills, WORDSMITH: ESSENTIALS OF COLLEGE ENGLISH provides students with the opportunity to see the essentials of college communication in relation to each other. The text covers sentences, paragraphs, and essays and includes oral presentations and e-mails. Throughout the text, WORDSMITH: ESSENTIALS OF COLLEGE ENGLISH also provides extensive exercises for students to practice these skills: Practice and Review Exercises are brief, short-answer style exercises. Editing, Group and Writing Assignments require working with or creating writing samples. With coverage of writing, oral presentations and e-mails, and a variety of exercises, WORDSMITH: ESSENTIALS OF COLLEGE ENGLISH illustrates how the essentials of good writing are rarely performed in isolation.

Table of Contents

Preface
To the Instructor	xvii
To the Student	xxv
Part 1 Essentials of Composition
Chapter 1 The Writing Process	3	(12)
The Writing Process	3	(8)
Prewriting	4	(1)
Planning	4	(1)
Drafting	4	(1)
Revising	5	(1)
Proofreading	5	(1)
An Important Point	6	(1)
The Writing Process: Rodrigo's Paragraph	6	(5)
Journal Writing: Jump-Starting the Writing Process	11	(2)
Using the Writing Process	13	(2)
Chapter 2 Preparing to Write	15	(14)
Finding a Topic	15	(3)
Narrowing a Topic	16	(2)
Analyzing and Understanding an Assignment	18	(2)
Prewriting	20	(1)
Prewriting Methods	21	(5)
Brainstorming	21	(1)
Freewriting	22	(1)
Clustering	23	(2)
Outlining	25	(1)
Writing Assignments	26	(1)
Steps for Writing a Paragraph	27	(2)
Chapter 3 Writing a Paragraph: The Topic Sentence	29	(12)
Introducing the Four Characteristics of Effective Writing	29	(1)
Direction: Shaping the Topic Sentence of a Paragraph	30	(9)
Writing a Topic Sentence	30	(1)
Avoiding Topic Sentences That Are Too Broad or Too Narrow	31	(5)
Where Should a Topic Sentence Go?	36	(3)
Writing Assignments	39	(1)
Steps for Writing a Paragraph	39	(2)
Chapter 4 Writing a Paragraph: Support	41	(20)
Four Characteristics of Effective Writing	42	(1)
Support: Using Specific Detail	42	(15)
The Difference Between Topic Sentences and Supporting Sentences	42	(2)
Recognizing Specific Detail	44	(1)
Steps in Making Details Specific	45	(12)
Writing Assignments	57	(4)
Chapter 5 Writing a Paragraph: Unity and Coherence	61	(8)
Four Characteristics of Effective Writing	61	(1)
Unity: Sticking to the Point	62	(2)
Coherence: Connecting Ideas	64	(3)
Using Transitional Expressions	65	(2)
Writing Assignments	67	(2)
Chapter 6 Revising, Proofreading, and Formatting	69	(12)
Proofreading	73	(3)
The Top-down Technique	73	(1)
The Bottom-up Technique	73	(1)
The Targeting Technique	74	(1)
Proofreading the Word-Processed Paragraph	74	(2)
Formatting	76	(2)
Handwritten Documents	76	(1)
Computer-Generated Documents	77	(1)
Writing Assignments	78	(3)
Chapter 7 Essay, Essay Exams, and Summary Reports	81	(30)
Writing an Essay	81	(6)
Taking Essay Exams	87	(9)
Preparing for the Exam	87	(2)
Taking the Exam	89	(7)
Writing a Summary Report	96	(1)
Five Steps in Writing an Article Summary	96	(5)
Step 1: Choose a Topic and Find Sources of Information	96	(1)
Step 2: Evaluate Sources and Choose Your Article	97	(2)
Step 3: Read the Article and Take Notes	99	(1)
Step 4: Draft Your Paper	100	(1)
Step 5: Format, Proofread, and Cite Your Source	100	(1)
A Brief Guide to MLA (Modern Language Association) Style	101	(10)
Formatting Your Paper	101	(1)
The Works Cited List	101	(1)
A Model Summary Report	102	(9)
Chapter 8 Communication Beyond the Classroom: Oral Presentations and E-Mail	111	(26)
Oral Presentations	112	(1)
Impromptu Speeches and Prepared Speeches	112	(9)
Impromptu Speeches	112	(2)
Assignments for Timed Impromptu Speaking	114	(1)
Prepared Speeches	115	(5)
Assignments for Prepared Speeches	120	(1)
Writing E-Mail Messages	121	(13)
Appropriate Use of E-Mail	121	(1)
Parts of an E-Mail Message	122	(3)
E-Mail Etiquette	125	(9)
Writing Assignments	134	(3)
Part 2 Essentials of Grammar	137	(300)
Chapter 9 Parts of Speech	139	(18)
Nouns	140	(1)
Pronouns	141	(3)
Types of Pronouns	142	(2)
Verbs	144	(4)
The Principal Parts of Verbs	145	(1)
Verb Tenses	146	(2)
Adverbs	148	(1)
Adjectives	148	(1)
Prepositions	149	(1)
Recognizing Prepositional Phrases	149	(1)
Conjunctions	150	(3)
Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS Conjunctions)	150	(1)
Correlative Conjunctions	151	(1)
Subordinating Conjunctions	152	(1)
Conjunctive Adverbs	152	(1)
Interjections	153	(4)
Chapter 10 Verbs and Subjects	157	(14)
Action and Linking Verbs	157	(6)
Action Verbs	157	(1)
Linking Verbs	158	(2)
Helping Verbs and Compound Verbs	160	(2)
Infinitives and -ing Verbs	162	(1)
Subjects of Verbs	163	(8)
Subjects and Prepositional Phrases	164	(1)
Recognizing Prepositional Phrases	165	(6)
Chapter 11 Subject-Verb Agreement	171	(14)
The Basic Pattern	171	(4)
The Verb to be	174	(1)
Problems in Subject-Verb Agreement	175	(10)
Prepositional Phrase between Subject and Verb	175	(1)
Other Interrupters between Subject and Verb	176	(1)
Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects	177	(1)
Subject Following the Verb	178	(1)
Compound Subjects	179	(6)
Chapter 12 Irregular Verbs	185	(10)
Regular and Irregular Verbs	185	(10)
Puzzling Pairs	188	(7)
Chapter 13 Verb Tenses	195	(14)
Verb Tenses	195	(1)
The Simple Tenses: Present, Past, and Future	196	(2)
Present Tense	197	(1)
Past Tense	197	(1)
Future Tense	197	(1)
The Perfect Tenses: Present Perfect, Past Perfect, and Future Perfect	198	(3)
Present Perfect Tense	198	(1)
Past Perfect Tense	199	(1)
Future Perfect Tense	200	(1)
The Progressive Tenses: Present, Past, and Future Progressive	201	(2)
Present Progressive	201	(1)
Past Progressive	202	(1)
Future Progressive	202	(1)
Avoiding Unnecessary Tense Shifts	203	(6)
Chapter 14 Coordination and Subordination	209	(14)
Writing Effective Sentences	209	(1)
Connecting Ideas Through Coordination	210	(3)
Comma and FANBOYS	210	(1)
Semicolon and Joining Word	211	(2)
Connecting Ideas Through Subordination	213	(3)
Creating Emphasis Through Subordination	216	(7)
Chapter 15 Writing Concise Sentences	223	(10)
Making Sentences Concise	223	(2)
Using Verbal Phrases	225	(8)
-ing Verbal Phrases	225	(1)
-ed/-en Verbal Phrases	226	(7)
Chapter 16 Run-on Sentences	233	(20)
What Is a Run-on Sentence?	233	(2)
Correcting Run-ons	235	(18)
Method 1: Period and Capital Letter	235	(2)
Method 2: Comma and FANBOYS Conjunction	237	(1)
Method 3: Semicolon	238	(1)
Method 4: Semicolon and Joining Word	239	(2)
Method 5: Dependent Word	241	(12)
Chapter 17 Sentence Fragments	253	(20)
What Is a Sentence Fragment?	253	(20)
Dependent Clause Fragments	254	(2)
Verbal Phrase Fragments (to, -ing, and -ed/-en Fragments)	256	(5)
Missing-Subject Fragments	261	(1)
Example and Exception Fragments	262	(2)
Prepositional-Phrase Fragments	264	(9)
Chapter 18 Pronoun Case	273	(12)
Subject and Object Pronouns	273	(4)
Subject Pronouns	274	(2)
Object Pronouns	276	(1)
The -self Pronouns - Intensive and Reflexive Pronouns	277	(8)
Using Intensive Pronouns	278	(1)
Using Reflexive Pronouns	279	(6)
Chapter 19 Pronoun Agreement, Reference, and Point of View	285	(18)
Pronoun Agreement	286	(5)
Problems in Pronoun Agreement	287	(4)
Pronoun Reference	291	(3)
Pronoun Reference Problem: No Antecedent	291	(2)
Pronoun Reference Problem: Two Possible Antecedents	293	(1)
Pronoun Point of View	294	(9)
Chapter 20 Relative Pronouns	303	(14)
Relative Pronouns	303	(4)
Who, Whom, or Whose?	304	(3)
Essential and Nonessential Clauses	307	(1)
Essential Clauses	307	(1)
Nonessential Clauses	307	(1)
Punctuation of Relative Clauses	308	(9)
Chapter 21 Adjectives, Adverbs, and Articles	317	(14)
Adjectives	317	(4)
Positive, Comparative, and Superlative Adjective Forms	318	(3)
Adverbs	321	(2)
Puzzling Pairs	323	(2)
Puzzling Pairs: Good and Well, Bad and Badly	324	(1)
Puzzling Pairs: Worse and Worst	324	(1)
Articles	325	(6)
Using A and An	326	(5)
Chapter 22 Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers	331	(10)
Misplaced Modifiers	332	(2)
Dangling Modifiers	334	(7)
Chapter 23 Parallel Structure	341	(10)
Chapter 24 Capital Letters	351	(12)
Capitalization of a Word That Begins a Sentence	351	(1)
Capitalization of Words Referring to Individuals	352	(2)
Capitalization of Words Referring to Groups	354	(1)
Capitalization of Words Referring to Time and Place	355	(2)
Capitalization of Words Referring to Things and Activities	357	(6)
Chapter 25 Words Commonly Confused	363	(20)
Slang	373	(2)
Clichés	375	(1)
Wordiness	376	(7)
Wordy Expressions	376	(1)
It Is and There Is	377	(6)
Chapter 27 Commas	383	(18)
Commas to Set Off Introductory Words, Phrases, and Clauses	383	(1)
Commas to Join Three or More Items in a Series	384	(2)
Commas to Join Independent Clauses	386	(1)
Commas around Interrupters	387	(4)
Punctuating Essential and Nonessential Modifiers	388	(3)
Commas with Direct Quotations	391	(1)
Commas in Names and Dates	392	(9)
Chapter 28 Other Punctuation	401	(10)
End Punctuation: Period, Question Mark, and Exclamation Point	401	(2)
The Period	401	(1)
The Question Mark	402	(1)
The Exclamation Point	402	(1)
The Semicolon	403	(2)
Semicolon to Join Independent Clauses	403	(1)
Semicolon to Join Items in a List	404	(1)
The Colon	405	(6)
Chapter 29 Apostrophes	411	(10)
Apostrophes in Contractions	411	(2)
Apostrophes to Show Possession	413	(8)
Making Nouns Possessive	413	(2)
Distinguishing Possessives from Simple Plurals	415	(1)
Possessive Forms of Pronouns	416	(5)
Chapter 30 Quotation Marks, Underlining, and Italics	421	(16)
Quotation Marks to Signal a Direct Quotation	421	(3)
Split Quotations	422	(2)
Direct and Indirect Quotations	424	(3)
Setting Off Titles with Quotation Marks, Underlining, and Italics	427	(12)
Using Quotation Marks to Set Off Titles	427	(1)
Using Italics or Underlining to Set Off Titles	428	(9)
Part 3 Essential Readings for Writers	437	(52)
A Day Away,
Maya Angelou	439	(4)
Borrowed History,
Snow Anderson	443	(5)
Employment Test,
Barbara Ehrenreich	448	(5)
Broken Windows,
Leonard Pitts	453	(5)
Confrontation at Register Two,
Constance Daley	458	(5)
Walking the Tightrope between Black and White,
Cecelie Berry	463	(5)
My Dead Dog May Already Be a Winner!,
Lee Coppola	468	(5)
Imprisoned by Ex-Convict Staters,
Walter Scanlon	473	(5)
Down-Covered Dinosaur,
Michael D. Lemonick and Andrea Dorfman	478	(5)
From the Welfare Rolls, a Mother's View,
Elyzabeth Joy Stagg	483	(6)
Acknowledgments	489	(2)
Index	491

Excerpts

Preface: To the InstructorThank you for choosingWordsmith: Essentials of College Englishas your textbook.Most writing instructors constantly refine their teaching methods, striving to make difficult concepts clear and tedious details interesting. Most of all, they try to ignite the spark that will help students see writing as a meaningful, life-enriching activity. A good textbook should reinforce those efforts.The authors have spent considerable time trying to analyze what a good textbook should do, above and beyond presenting information in a given field. Here is what we have come up with: The book should be orderly and user-friendly, with a flexible format. Explanations should be clear and supported by numerous exercises and examples. The book should contain much more than is strictly necessary: it should be a smorgasbord, not just a meal. Finally, if it includes a little bit of fun, so much the better. We have writtenWordsmithwith those principles in mind. Some Features ofWordsmith: Essentials of College Communication A direct, conversational, student-friendly approach is used throughout. The book is written on an adult level that appeals to both nontraditional students and traditional-age students. Lighthearted chapter openings encourage a positive and playful approach to learning. A flexible three-part layout allows you the freedom to mix and match writing chapters, grammar chapters, and readings as you wish.Although each of you will use the book in a different way and adapt it to your own students' needs, the following overview of each section may give you some ideas. Also, check the Instructor's Guide in the back of the textbook for ideas on using a text and model syllabi. Part 1: Essentials of CompositionPart 1, Essentials of Composition, takes the paragraph as its primary focus. The book begins with an overview of the writing process (Chapter 1), followed by a chapter on prewriting (Chapter 2). Chapters 3, 4, and 5 guide the student through the writing of the paragraph and address four principles of effective writing,: direction, support, unity, and coherence. Chapter 6 addresses revising, proofreading, and formatting.The section continues with Chapter 7, Essays, Essay Exams, and Summary Reports" and concludes with "Communication Beyond the Classroom: Oral Presentations and E-Mail." Special Features of Part 1: Essentials of Composition A student paragraph is presented in all drafts and stages along with a transcript of a student writing group's discussion of the work in progress. (Chapter 1) A section "For Right-Brained Writers" gives tips for students who tend to think in terms of "the whole" rather than in terms of a step-by-step process. (Chapter 1) The five steps in the writing process are presented in the order in which most writers address them: prewriting, planning, drafting, revising, and proofreading. One entire chapter and numerous exercises are devoted to writing a topic sentence and planning the paragraph. (Chapter 3) Topics for paragraph and journal writing provide a basis for assignments and encourage further practice. A chapter on essays, essay exams, and summary