Writing First with Readings : Practice in Context

by Laurie G. Kirszner, Stephen R. Mandell

• ISBN13: 9780312436551
• ISBN10: 0312436556
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2005-09-28
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's

Summary

Writing Firstteaches the basics of writing and grammar in the context of students' own writing. Along with a comprehensive treatment of the process of writing paragraphs and essays, it helps students develop the fundamental writing skills they need to succeed in college and beyond. By providing students with more help in the areas they most need it -- grammar, ESL, and high-stakes test taking -- the third edition of Writing First better addresses the realities of the developmental writing course.

Author Biography

LAURIE KIRSZNER and STEPHEN MANDELL have taught college and basic writing for more than 25 years. Their first textbook, Basic College Writing, grew out of their experiences in Temple University's ELECT (English Language Enrichment Center at Temple) program, one of the first basic writing programs in the country. Their many subsequent successful collaborations have included Patterns for College Writing, Ninth Edition (Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004), and Foundations First: Sentences and Paragraphs (Bedford/St. Martin's, 2005). Laurie Kirszner coordinates the writing program at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Stephen Mandell is the founder and former director of Drexel University's basic writing program, where he also teaches composition, literature, and technical and business writing.

Table of Contents

Preface for Instructors	iii
A Student's Guide to Using Writing First	xxiii
Self-Assessment Checklists for Writing Paragraphs and Essays	xxviii
WRITING PARAGRAPHS AND ESSAYS	1	(1)
UNIT ONE Focus on Paragraphs	1	(48)
Writing a Paragraph	3	(20)
Understanding Paragraph Structure	4	(1)
Focusing on Your Assignment, Purpose, and Audience	4	(2)
Finding Ideas	6	(7)
Freewriting	6	(2)
Brainstorming	8	(2)
Clustering	10	(1)
Journal Writing	11	(2)
Identifying Your Main Idea	13	(1)
Choosing and Arranging Supporting Points	14	(2)
Choosing Supporting Points	14	(1)
Arranging Supporting Points	14	(2)
Drafting Your Paragraph	16	(2)
Revising and Editing Your Paragraph	18	(5)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Revising Your Paragraph	18	(4)
Review Checklist: Writing a Paragraph	22	(1)
Fine-Tuning Your Paragraph	23	(26)
Writing Effective Topic Sentences	23	(7)
The Topic Sentence in the Paragraph	23	(1)
Revising Topic Sentences	24	(6)
Writing Unified Paragraphs	30	(3)
Understanding Unity	30	(1)
Revising Paragraphs for Unity	31	(2)
Writing Well-Developed Paragraphs	33	(5)
Supporting the Topic Sentence	33	(1)
Revising Paragraphs for Development	34	(4)
Writing Coherent Paragraphs	38	(11)
Arranging Details	38	(3)
Using Transitional Words and Phrases	41	(1)
Revising Paragraphs for Coherence	41	(3)
Chapter Review	44	(3)
Review Checklist: Fine-Tuning Your Paragraph	47	(2)
UNIT TWO Patterns of Paragraph Development	49	(70)
Exemplification	51	(7)
Understanding Exemplification	52	(2)
Writing an Exemplification Paragraph	54	(4)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing an Exemplification Paragraph	57	(1)
Narration	58	(7)
Understanding Narration	58	(2)
Writing a Narrative Paragraph	60	(5)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Narrative Paragraph	64	(1)
Description	65	(7)
Understanding Description	65	(2)
Writing a Descriptive Paragraph	67	(5)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Descriptive Paragraph	71	(1)
Process	72	(7)
Understanding Process	72	(3)
Writing a Process Paragraph	75	(4)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Process Paragraph	78	(1)
Cause and Effect	79	(8)
Understanding Cause and Effect	79	(2)
Writing a Cause-and-Effect Paragraph	81	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Cause-and-Effect Paragraph	86	(1)
Comparison and Contrast	87	(9)
Understanding Comparison and Contrast	87	(3)
Writing a Comparison-and-Contrast Paragraph	90	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Comparison-and-Contrast Paragraph	95	(1)
Classification	96	(6)
Understanding Classification	96	(2)
Writing a Classification Paragraph	98	(4)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Classification Paragraph	101	(1)
Definition	102	(7)
Understanding Definition	102	(3)
Writing a Definition Paragraph	105	(4)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Definition Paragraph	108	(1)
Argument	109	(10)
Understanding Argument	110	(2)
Writing an Argument Paragraph	112	(7)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing an Argument Paragraph	117	(2)
UNIT THREE Focus on Essays	119	(108)
Writing an Essay	121	(32)
Thinking about Paragraphs and Essays	122	(6)
Deciding on a Topic	128	(2)
Finding Ideas	130	(3)
Freewriting	130	(1)
Brainstorming	131	(2)
Stating Your Thesis	133	(4)
Arranging Supporting Points	137	(2)
Drafting Your Essay	139	(3)
Revising and Editing Your Essay	142	(11)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Revising Your Essay	142	(1)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Editing Your Essay	143	(6)
Chapter Review	149	(2)
Review Checklist: Writing an Essay	151	(2)
Introductions and Conclusions	153	(14)
Introductions	154	(6)
Beginning with a Direct Approach	154	(1)
Beginning with a Narrative	155	(1)
Beginning with a Question (or a Series of Questions)	155	(1)
Beginning with a Definition	155	(1)
Beginning with a Background Statement	156	(1)
Beginning with a Quotation	156	(1)
Beginning with a Surprising Statement	157	(1)
Beginning with a Contradiction	157	(3)
Conclusions	160	(7)
Concluding with a Restatement of Your Thesis	161	(1)
Concluding with a Narrative	161	(1)
Concluding with a Question (or a Series of Questions)	162	(1)
Concluding with a Prediction	162	(1)
Concluding with a Recommendation	162	(1)
Concluding with a Quotation	163	(1)
Chapter Review	164	(2)
Review Checklist: Introductions and Conclusions	166	(1)
Patterns of Essay Development	167	(60)
Exemplification	168	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing an Exemplification Essay	173	(1)
Narration	174	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Narrative Essay	178	(2)
Description	180	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Descriptive Essay	186	(1)
Process	186	(7)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Process Essay	192	(1)
Cause and Effect	193	(7)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Cause-and-Effect Essay	199	(1)
Comparison and Contrast	200	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Comparison-and-Contrast Essay	206	(1)
Classification	206	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Classification Essay	211	(1)
Definition	212	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Definition Essay	216	(2)
Argument	218	(9)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing an Argument Essay	225	(1)
Review Checklist: Patterns of Essay Development	226	(1)
REVISING AND EDITING YOUR WRITING	227	(1)
UNIT FOUR Writing Effective Sentences	227	(100)
Writing Simple Sentences	229	(12)
Identifying Subjects	229	(3)
Identifying Prepositional Phrases	232	(2)
Identifying Verbs	234	(7)
Action Verbs	234	(1)
Linking Verbs	235	(2)
Helping Verbs	237	(2)
Chapter Review	239	(1)
Review Checklist: Writing Simple Sentences	240	(1)
Writing Compound Sentences	241	(17)
Forming Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions	241	(5)
Forming Compound Sentences with Semicolons	246	(3)
Forming Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs and Transitional Expressions	249	(9)
Chapter Review	254	(3)
Review Checklist: Writing Compound Sentences	257	(1)
Writing Complex Sentences	258	(17)
Identifying Complex Sentences	258	(2)
Forming Complex Sentences with Subordinating Conjunctions	260	(4)
Forming Complex Sentences with Relative Pronouns	264	(3)
Punctuating with Relative Pronouns	267	(8)
Chapter Review	272	(2)
Review Checklist: Writing Complex Sentences	274	(1)
Achieving Sentence Variety	275	(25)
Varying Sentence Types	276	(1)
Varying Sentence Openings	277	(7)
Beginning with Adverbs	278	(1)
Beginning with Prepositional Phrases	278	(6)
Combining Sentences	284	(11)
Using Present Participles	284	(1)
Using Past Participles	284	(5)
Using Compound Subjects or Compound Predicates	289	(4)
Using Appositives	293	(2)
Varying Sentence Length	295	(5)
Chapter Review	297	(2)
Review Checklist: Achieving Sentence Variety	299	(1)
Using Parallelism	300	(10)
Recognizing Parallel Structure	300	(2)
Using Parallel Structure	302	(8)
Paired Items	302	(1)
Comparisons Formed with Than or As	303	(1)
Items in a Series	303	(1)
Items in a List or in an Outline	303	(3)
Chapter Review	306	(3)
Review Checklist: Using Parallelism	309	(1)
Using Words Effectively	310	(17)
Using Specific Words	310	(3)
Using Concise Language	313	(2)
Avoiding Cliches	315	(2)
Using Similes and Metaphors	317	(2)
Avoiding Sexist Language	319	(8)
Chapter Review	321	(2)
Review Checklist: Using Words Effectively	323	(1)
Unit Review	324	(3)
UNIT FIVE Solving Common Sentence Problems	327	(82)
Run-Ons and Comma Splices	329	(10)
Recognizing Run-Ons and Comma Splices	329	(2)
Correcting Run-Ons and Comma Splices	331	(8)
Chapter Review	336	(2)
Review Checklist: Run-Ons and Comma Splices	338	(1)
Sentence Fragments	339	(24)
Recognizing Sentence Fragments	339	(3)
Correcting Phrase Fragments	342	(5)
Appositive Fragments	342	(1)
Prepositional Phrase Fragments	342	(5)
Correcting Incomplete Verbs	347	(6)
Correcting Dependent Clause Fragments	353	(10)
Dependent Clauses Introduced by Subordinating Conjunctions	354	(1)
Dependent Clauses Introduced by Relative Pronouns	354	(5)
Chapter Review	359	(3)
Review Checklist: Sentence Fragments	362	(1)
Subject-Verb Agreement	363	(18)
Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement	364	(4)
Avoiding Agreement Problems with Be, Have, and Do	368	(1)
Avoiding Agreement Problems When a Prepositional Phrase Comes between the Subject and the Verb	369	(2)
Avoiding Agreement Problems with Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects	371	(2)
Avoiding Agreement Problems When the Verb Comes before the Subject	373	(2)
Avoiding Agreement Problems with the Relative Pronouns Who, Which, or That	375	(6)
Chapter Review	377	(2)
Review Checklist: Subject-Verb Agreement	379	(2)
Illogical Shifts	381	(12)
Avoiding Illogical Shifts in Tense	381	(3)
Avoiding Illogical Shifts in Person	384	(1)
Avoiding Illogical Shifts in Number	385	(2)
Avoiding Illogical Shifts in Voice	387	(6)
Chapter Review	390	(2)
Review Checklist: Illogical Shifts	392	(1)
Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers	393	(16)
Identifying Present Participle Modifiers	393	(2)
Identifying Past Participle Modifiers	395	(2)
Correcting Dangling Modifiers	397	(3)
Correcting Misplaced Modifiers	400	(9)
Chapter Review	403	(2)
Review Checklist: Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers	405	(1)
Unit Review	406	(3)
UNIT SIX Understanding Basic Grammar	409	(104)
Verbs: Past Tense	411	(11)
Understanding Regular Verbs in the Past Tense	412	(1)
Understanding Irregular Verbs in the Past Tense	413	(2)
Problem Verbs in the Past Tense: Be	415	(2)
Problem Verbs in the Past Tense: Can/Could and Will/Would	417	(5)
Can/Could	417	(1)
Will/Would	417	(2)
Chapter Review	419	(2)
Review Checklist: Verbs: Past Tense	421	(1)
Verbs: Past Participles	422	(15)
Identifying Regular Past Participles	422	(2)
Identifying Irregular Past Participles	424	(4)
Using the Present Perfect Tense	428	(3)
Using the Past Perfect Tense	431	(2)
Using Past Participles as Adjectives	433	(4)
Chapter Review	435	(1)
Review Checklist: Verbs: Past Participles	436	(1)
Nouns and Pronouns	437	(27)
Identifying Nouns	437	(1)
Forming Plural Nouns	438	(3)
Identifying Pronouns	441	(1)
Understanding Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement	442	(2)
Solving Special Problems with Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement	444	(7)
Compound Antecedents	445	(1)
Indefinite Pronoun Antecedents	446	(2)
Collective Noun Antecedents	448	(3)
Understanding Pronoun Case	451	(2)
Subjective Case	451	(1)
Objective Case	451	(1)
Possessive Case	452	(1)
Solving Special Problems with Pronoun Case	453	(5)
Pronouns in Compounds	453	(1)
Pronouns in Comparisons	454	(1)
The Pronouns Who and Whom, Whoever and Whomever	455	(3)
Identifying Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns	458	(6)
Reflexive Pronouns	458	(1)
Intensive Pronouns	459	(1)
Chapter Review	460	(2)
Review Checklist: Nouns and Pronouns	462	(2)
Adjectives and Adverbs	464	(12)
Identifying Adjectives and Adverbs	464	(4)
Understanding Comparatives and Superlatives	468	(8)
Forming Comparatives and Superlatives	468	(1)
Solving Special Problems with Comparatives and Superlatives	469	(4)
Chapter Review	473	(2)
Review Checklist: Adjectives and Adverbs	475	(1)
Grammar and Usage for ESL Writers	476	(37)
Including Subjects in Sentences	477	(1)
Avoiding Special Problems with Subjects	478	(2)
Identifying Plural Nouns	480	(2)
Understanding Count and Noncount Nouns	482	(2)
Using Determiners with Count and Noncount Nouns	484	(2)
Understanding Articles	486	(3)
The Definite Article	486	(1)
Indefinite Articles	487	(1)
No Article	488	(1)
Articles with Proper Nouns	488	(1)
Forming Negative Statements and Questions	489	(4)
Negative Statements	489	(1)
Questions	490	(3)
Indicating Verb Tense	493	(1)
Recognizing Stative Verbs	493	(2)
Using Modal Auxiliaries	495	(2)
Using Gerunds	497	(1)
Placing Modifiers in Order	498	(1)
Required Order	498	(1)
Preferred Order	498	(1)
Choosing Correct Prepositions	499	(1)
Using Prepositions in Familiar Expressions	500	(4)
Using Prepositions in Phrasal Verbs	504	(9)
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs	504	(1)
Separable Phrasal Verbs	505	(2)
Chapter Review	507	(2)
Review Checklist: Grammar and Usage for ESL Writers	509	(2)
Unit Review	511	(2)
UNIT SEVEN Understanding Punctuation, Mechanics, and Spelling	513	(66)
Using Commas	515	(16)
Using Commas in a Series	516	(1)
Using Commas to Set Off Introductory Phrases, Conjunctive Adverbs, and Transitional Expressions	517	(3)
Using Commas with Appositives	520	(2)
Using Commas to Set Off Nonrestrictive Clauses	522	(2)
Using Commas in Dates and Addresses	524	(1)
Dates	524	(1)
Addresses	524	(1)
Avoiding Unnecessary Commas	525	(6)
Chapter Review	528	(1)
Review Checklist: Using Commas	529	(2)
Using Apostrophes	531	(9)
Using Apostrophes to Form Contractions	532	(1)
Using Apostrophes to Form Possessives	533	(2)
Singular Nouns and Indefinite Pronouns	533	(1)
Plural Nouns	534	(1)
Revising Incorrect Use of Apostrophes	535	(5)
Chapter Review	537	(1)
Review Checklist: Using Apostrophes	538	(2)
Understanding Mechanics	540	(15)
Capitalizing Proper Nouns	540	(3)
Punctuating Direct Quotations	543	(4)
Setting Off Titles of Books, Stories, and Other Works	547	(3)
Using Minor Punctuation Marks	550	(5)
The Colon	550	(1)
The Dash	550	(1)
Parentheses	550	(2)
Chapter Review	552	(2)
Review Checklist: Understanding Mechanics	554	(1)
Understanding Spelling	555	(24)
Becoming a Better Speller	555	(2)
Deciding between ie and ei	557	(2)
Understanding Prefixes	559	(1)
Understanding Suffixes	560	(3)
Words Ending in Silent e	560	(1)
Words Ending in -y	561	(1)
Doubling the Final Consonant	562	(1)
Learning Commonly Confused Words	563	(16)
Chapter Review	573	(2)
Review Checklist: Understanding Spelling	575	(2)
Unit Review	577	(2)
BECOMING A CRITICAL READER	579	(1)
UNIT EIGHT Reading Essays	579	(71)
Reading for College	581	(12)
Previewing a Reading Assignment	582	(3)
Highlighting a Reading Assignment	585	(2)
Annotating a Reading Assignment	587	(2)
Outlining a Reading Assignment	589	(1)
Summarizing a Reading Assignment	590	(1)
Writing a Response Paragraph	591	(2)
Review Checklist: Reading for College	592	(1)
Readings for Writers	593	(57)
Exemplification	593	(6)
Don't Call Me a Hot Tamale	594	(3)
Judith Ortiz Cofer
The Suspected Shopper	597	(2)
Ellen Goodman
Narration	599	(7)
The Sanctuary of School	599	(4)
Lynda Barry
Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police	603	(3)
Martin Gansberg
Description	606	(4)
Summer Picnic Fish Fry	606	(2)
Maya Angelou
Guavas	608	(2)
Esmeralda Santiago
Process	610	(6)
Slice of Life	611	(2)
Russell Baker
About a Bird	613	(3)
Patrick Martins
Cause and Effect	616	(5)
Too Close for Comfort	617	(2)
Katherine S. Newman
The ``Black Table'' Is Still There	619	(2)
Lawrence Otis Graham
Comparison and Contrast	621	(7)
Resisting My Family History	621	(3)
Indira Ganesan
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus	624	(4)
John Gray
Classification	628	(7)
Liars	628	(3)
Jo-Ellan Dimitrius
Mark Mazzarella
The Men We Carry in Our Minds	631	(4)
Scott Russell Sanders
Definition	635	(5)
The Wife-Beater	635	(2)
Gayle Rosenwald Smith
Why I Want a Wife	637	(3)
Judy Brady
Argument	640	(10)
Let's Tell the Story of All America's Cultures	640	(3)
Ji-Yeon Yuh
Serve or Fail	643	(3)
Dave Eggers
I Have a Dream	646	(4)
Martin Luther King Jr.
APPENDIX A Strategies for College Success	650	(11)
Learning Orientation Strategies	650	(1)
Learning First-Week Strategies	650	(2)
Learning Day-to-Day Strategies	652	(1)
Learning Time-Management Strategies	653	(2)
Learning Note-Taking Strategies	655	(2)
During Class	656	(1)
After Class	656	(1)
Before the Next Class	657	(1)
Learning Homework Strategies	657	(1)
Learning Exam-Taking Strategies	658	(3)
Before the Exam	658	(1)
During the Exam	658	(3)
APPENDIX B Using Research in Your Writing	661	(25)
Choosing a Topic	662	(1)
Testing Your Topic	662	(1)
Doing Research	663	(3)
Finding Information in the Library	663	(1)
Finding Information on the Internet	664	(2)
Taking Notes	666	(4)
Paraphrasing	667	(1)
Summarizing	668	(1)
Quoting	669	(1)
Integrating Sources	669	(1)
Watching Out for Plagiarism	670	(3)
Document Ideas from Your Sources	671	(1)
Place Borrowed Words in Quotation Marks	671	(1)
Use Your Own Phrasing	671	(1)
Distinguish Your Ideas from the Source's Ideas	672	(1)
Drafting a Thesis Statement	673	(1)
Making an Outline	673	(1)
Writing Your Paper	674	(1)
Documenting Your Sources	674	(12)
Parenthetical References in the Text	674	(2)
The Works-Cited List	676	(4)
Sample Essay Using MLA Style	680	(6)
APPENDIX C Taking Standardized Assessment Tests	686	(15)
Common Exit Exams and Placement Tests	686	(7)
National Assessment Tests	686	(4)
State Assessment Tests	690	(3)
Using Writing First to Help You Prepare	693	(1)
Dealing with Anxiety	694	(1)
Preparing for Standardized Tests	695	(1)
Preparing for Multiple-Choice Tests	695	(1)
Approaching a Multiple-Choice Question	696	(1)
Preparing for a Standardized Essay Test	696	(1)
Defining Common Essay Test Directives	697	(4)
Exemplification Essays	697	(1)
Descriptive Essays	698	(1)
Comparison-and-Contrast Essays	698	(1)
Argument Essays	699	(1)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Preparing for Standardized Tests	700	(1)
Answers to Odd-Numbered Exercise Items	701	(14)
Index	715