From Idea to Essay 2009 : A Rhetoric, Reader, and Handbook

by McCuen-Metherell, Jo Ray; Winkler, Anthony

• ISBN13: 9780321355614
• ISBN10: 032135561X
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780321163394
• Edition: 11th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Longman
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

One of the most successful all-inclusive rhetorics on the market, this classic distinguishes itself with a story, poem, and photo writing assignment in each modes chapter. This systematic rhetoric/reader/handbook carefully leads the student through the process of essay writing. It provides numerous sample readings imaginative literature as well as the essay and specific guidelines on how to approach each rhetorical mode, writing assignments, and both student and professional models of completed assignments. In addition to covering nine rhetorical modes, the text includes a complete unit on the research paper and a comprehensive handbook section. Prereading, prewriting, and writing exercises throughout offer guidance in the fundamentals of reading and writing.

Table of Contents

Preface	xvii
Part I Fundamentals	1	(150)
The Writing Process	3	(10)
Prewriting	3	(1)
Writing	4	(1)
Rewriting	5	(2)
Revising	5	(1)
Editing	6	(1)
Proofreading Learn to Rewrite	6	(1)
Writing Tip: How Many Drafts?	6	(1)
Personal versus Objective Writing	7	(1)
Generating Ideas with Journal Writing	8	(3)
Assembling a Portfolio	11	(1)
Writing Assignments	12	(1)
Critical Thinking, Reading, and Seeing	13	(20)
Critical Thinking	13	(4)
Separate Opinion from Fact	14	(2)
Exercises	16	(1)
Critical Reading	17	(4)
Understand What You Read	17	(1)
Look for Biases and Hidden Prejudices	17	(1)
Don't Be Turned off by Issues with Which You Are Unfamiliar	17	(1)
Don't Be Seduced by Phony Claims	18	(1)
Annotate Your Reading	18	(2)
Student Annotation of the poem ``Richard Cory''	20	(1)
Exercises	20	(1)
Critical Seeing	21	(2)
What is the purpose of the visual image?	21	(1)
What is the pitch behind the image?	22	(1)
What is the context of the image?	22	(1)
What information does the image communicate?	22	(1)
What does the image mean to me?	22	(1)
What is the subtext of the image?	23	(1)
Responding to a Work of Art	23	(2)
Exercise	25	(1)
Responding to a Photo	25	(2)
Exercise	27	(1)
Responding to an Advertisement	27	(3)
Exercise	29	(1)
Responding to a Cartoon	30	(2)
Exercise	32	(1)
Writing Assignments	32	(1)
Elements of the Essay	33	(18)
Purpose	33	(1)
Audience	34	(2)
The Instructor as Audience	35	(1)
Strategy	36	(8)
Writing Tip: Using the Rhetorical Modes	37	(1)
Narration	37	(1)
Description	38	(1)
Example	38	(1)
Definition	39	(1)
Comparison/Contrast	39	(1)
Process	40	(1)
Writing Tip: On a Roll?	41	(1)
Classification	41	(1)
Causal Analysis	42	(1)
Argumentation	43	(1)
Blending Rhetorical Patterns	44	(1)
Practical Applications of the Rhetorical Strategies	45	(2)
Essay Examinations and the Rhetorical Strategies	47	(1)
The Controlling Idea	48	(2)
Writing Assignments	50	(1)
The Sentence: Combining, Generating, and Judging	51	(19)
Sentence Combining	52	(9)
Writing Tip: Short or Long Sentences?	53	(1)
Sentence Combining by Adding	53	(2)
Exercises	55	(1)
Sentence Combining by Deleting	55	(2)
Exercises	57	(1)
Sentence Combining by Merging	58	(1)
Exercises	59	(2)
Sentence Generating	61	(2)
Exercises	62	(1)
Judging the Sentence	63	(7)
Exercises	64	(2)
Answers to Exercises	66	(4)
The Paragraph	70	(32)
Uses of the Paragraph	70	(2)
Paragraphs That Signal a New Idea	70	(1)
Paragraphs That Expand on an Old Idea	71	(1)
Paragraphs That Signal a Transition	72	(1)
The Shape of the Paragraph	72	(6)
Topic Sentence at the Beginning	72	(2)
Topic Sentence at the End	74	(1)
Topic Sentence in the Middle	75	(1)
Topic Sentence Developed over Two Paragraphs	76	(1)
Topic Sentence Implied	77	(1)
Characteristics of the Paragraph	78	(8)
Unity	78	(2)
Coherence	80	(3)
Completeness	83	(1)
Writing Tip: Barnyard Imagery	84	(2)
Journalistic Paragraphs	86	(1)
Transitions between Paragraphs	87	(2)
Repetition	87	(1)
Transitional Words and Phrases	88	(1)
Transitional Questions	88	(1)
Bridging Sentences	89	(1)
Paragraphs without Transitions	89	(1)
Using Varied Paragraph Transitions	89	(2)
Beginning and Ending Paragraphs	91	(10)
Beginning Paragraphs	91	(4)
Ending Paragraphs	95	(2)
The Relationship between the Beginning and the Ending	97	(2)
Exercises	99	(2)
Writing Assignments	101	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	101	(1)
Planning and Organizing the Essay	102	(23)
Finding a Topic	102	(1)
Prewriting Activities	103	(4)
Free writing	104	(1)
Talking	105	(1)
Clustering	106	(1)
Writer's Block	107	(2)
Psychological Reasons	108	(1)
Physical Reasons	108	(1)
The Internal Editor	109	(1)
Finding the Thesis	109	(4)
The Too-Narrow or the Too-Broad Thesis	110	(1)
Refining the Thesis	111	(2)
The Informal Outline	113	(2)
The Formal Outline	115	(4)
The Sentence Outline versus the Topic Outline	117	(1)
Writing Tip: Writing from an Outline	117	(1)
Writing Tip: Outlining after Writing	118	(1)
Use of the Outline	119	(4)
Exercises	122	(1)
Writing Assignments	123	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	124	(1)
Drafting, Revising, and Style	125	(26)
Pointers on Drafting	125	(3)
Keep Your Audience in Mind	126	(1)
Keep Your Purpose in Mind	126	(1)
Organize Your Main Points	126	(1)
Include Ample Specific Details	126	(1)
Write in Any Sequence You Prefer	127	(1)
Be Patient	127	(1)
Use a Computer	127	(1)
The First Draft	128	(2)
Student Essay---First Draft: ``Who Am I?'' by Alfredo Silva	129	(1)
Revising the First Draft	130	(2)
Check Your Opening Paragraph	131	(1)
Check Your Sequence of Points	131	(1)
Check for Adequate Examples and Details	131	(1)
Check Paragraph Transitions	132	(1)
Achieving Style	132	(11)
Writing Tip: Do You Have Style?	133	(1)
Simplify Your Grammar	133	(1)
Express Action in Verbs, Rather than Nouns	134	(1)
Avoid the Passive Voice	134	(1)
Be Brief and to the Point	135	(1)
Writing Tip: Need Help Checking?	136	(2)
Vary Sentence Types	138	(1)
Edit Awkward Language	138	(1)
Put a Personal Voice in the Writing	139	(1)
Student Essay---Second Draft: ``Who Am I?'' by Alfredo Silva	140	(3)
Editing the Second Draft	143	(6)
Student Essay---Final Draft: ``Who Am I?'' by Alfredo Silva	143	(4)
Exercises	147	(2)
Writing Assignments	149	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	149	(2)
Part II Writing The Essay	151	(382)
Narration	153	(43)
Reading for Ideas	153	(9)
Story: ``The Code''	153	(9)
Richard T. Gill
Reading for Ideas	162	(1)
Poem: ``Richard Cory''	162	(1)
Edwin Arlington Robinson
How to Write a Narration	163	(5)
Writing Assignment	163	(1)
Specific Instructions	163	(3)
Student Tip for Inventing Ideas	166	(1)
Writing Tip: What Is Pacing?	167	(1)
Reading for Ideas	168	(10)
Professional Model: ``A Gift of Laughter''	169	(3)
Allan Sherman
Student Essay: ``Preserving the Species''	172	(6)
Gabrielle Scheidig
Reading for Ideas	178	(6)
Alternate Reading: Excerpt from Night	178	(6)
Elie Wiesel
Writing Assignments	184	(1)
Reading for Ideas	184	(4)
Alternate Reading: ``In Another Country''	184	(4)
Ernest Hemingway
Writing Assignments	188	(1)
Reading for Ideas	189	(4)
Alternate Reading: ``The Tell-Tale Heart''	189	(4)
Edgar Allan Poe
Writing Assignments	193	(1)
Internet Research Assignment	193	(1)
Additional Writing Assignments	194	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	194	(1)
Photo Writing Assignment	195	(1)
Description	196	(33)
Reading for Ideas	196	(4)
Story: ``The Lament''	196	(4)
Anton Chekhov
Reading for Ideas	200	(2)
Poem: ``Coats''	201	(1)
Jane Kenyon
How to Write a Description	202	(5)
Writing Assignment	202	(1)
Student Tip for Inventing Ideas	203	(1)
Specific Instructions	203	(4)
Writing Tip: What Are You Describing?	207	(1)
Reading for Ideas	207	(7)
Professional Model: ``Mma Ramotswe Thinks about the Land''	207	(3)
Alexander McCall Smith
Student Essay: ``Parting''	210	(4)
Chip McClendan
Reading for Ideas	214	(4)
Alternate Reading: ``The Monster''	214	(4)
Deems Taylor
Writing Assignments	218	(1)
Reading for Ideas	218	(5)
Alternate Reading: ``Sister Flowers''	218	(5)
Maya Angelou
Writing Assignments	223	(1)
Reading for Ideas	223	(4)
Alternate Reading: ``Laundromat''	224	(3)
Susan Sheehan
Writing Assignments	227	(1)
Internet Research Assignment	227	(1)
Additional Writing Assignments	227	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	228	(1)
Photo Writing Assignment	228	(1)
Example	229	(36)
Reading for Ideas	229	(3)
Story: ``We're Poor''	229	(3)
Floyd Dell
Reading for Ideas	232	(3)
Poem: ``Eleanor Rigby''	233	(2)
John Lennon
Paul McCartney
How to Write with Examples	235	(4)
Writing Assignment	235	(1)
Specific Instructions	235	(1)
Student Tip for Inventing Ideas	236	(1)
Writing Tip: Using the Mongrel	237	(2)
Reading for Ideas	239	(14)
Professional Model: ``How Near Death Is a Near Death Experience?''	240	(7)
Catherine Houck
Student Essay: ``Poverty in Atlanta''	247	(6)
Tom Meade
Reading for Ideas	253	(4)
Alternate Reading: ``What I've Learned from Men''	253	(4)
Barbara Ehrenreich
Writing Assignments	257	(1)
Reading for Ideas	257	(2)
Alternate Reading: ``Suing for Fun and Profit''	257	(2)
Andy Rooney
Writing Assignments	259	(1)
Reading for Ideas	259	(4)
Alternate Reading: ``The Word as Person: Eponyms''	260	(3)
Don Farrant
Internet Research Assignment	263	(1)
Additional Writing Assignments	263	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	263	(1)
Photo Writing Assignment	264	(1)
Definition	265	(39)
Reading for Ideas	265	(4)
Story: ``Arrangement in Black and White''	265	(4)
Dorothy Parker
Reading for Ideas	269	(1)
Poem: ``Incident''	269	(1)
Countee Cullen
How to Write a Definition	270	(10)
Writing Assignment	272	(1)
Specific Instructions	273	(2)
Student Tip for Inventing Ideas	275	(2)
Writing Tip: Which Strategy to Use	277	(3)
Reading for Ideas	280	(11)
Professional Model: ``People Aren't Born Prejudiced''	280	(3)
Ian Stevenson
Student Essay: ``Prejudice: Child of Ignorance''	283	(8)
Cole Ollinger
Reading for Ideas	291	(3)
Alternate Reading: ``Will Someone Please Hiccup My Pat?''	292	(2)
William Spooner Donald
Writing Assignments	294	(1)
Reading for Ideas	294	(5)
Alternate Reading: ``Jim Crow Days''	295	(4)
Sarah L.
A. Elizabeth Delany
Writing Assignments	299	(1)
Reading for Ideas	299	(3)
Alternate Reading: ``Black English Has Its Place''	300	(2)
Ron Emmons
Writing Assignments	302	(1)
Internet Research Assignment	302	(1)
Additional Writing Assignments	302	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	302	(1)
Photo Writing Assignment	303	(1)
Comparison/Contrast	304	(40)
Reading for Ideas	304	(8)
Story: ``Dream House''	304	(8)
Anthony C. Winkler
Reading for Ideas	312	(2)
Poem: ``The Twins''	312	(2)
Charles Bukowski
How to Write a Comparison/Contrast Paper	314	(5)
Writing Assignment	314	(1)
Specific Instructions	315	(1)
Student Tip for Inventing Ideas	316	(2)
Writing Tip: How Do You Find the Right Topic?	318	(1)
Reading for Ideas	319	(10)
Professional Model: ``Diogenes and Alexander''	320	(4)
Gilbert Highet
Student Essay: ``Aben and James''	324	(5)
Randy Varney
Reading for Ideas	329	(4)
Alternate Reading: ``Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts''	329	(4)
Bruce Catton
Writing Assignments	333	(1)
Reading for Ideas	333	(5)
Alternate Reading: ``Priest and Pagan''	333	(5)
Arthur Grimble
Reading for Ideas	338	(3)
Alternate Reading: ``Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder, along with Everything Else''	339	(2)
Lee Dembart
Writing Assignments	341	(1)
Internet Research Assignment	341	(1)
Additional Writing Assignments	342	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	342	(1)
Photo Writing Assignment	343	(1)
Process	344	(46)
Reading for Ideas	344	(6)
Story: ``How Mr. Hogan Robbed a Bank''	344	(6)
John Steinbeck
Reading for Ideas	350	(3)
Poem: ``Tract''	350	(3)
William Carlos Williams
How to Write a Process Paper	353	(5)
Writing Assignment	353	(1)
Specific Instructions	354	(2)
Student Tip for Inventing Ideas	356	(1)
Writing Tip: Choosing a Process	357	(1)
Reading for Ideas	358	(6)
Professional Model: ``In the Garden of Childish Delights''	358	(2)
Emily Fox Gordon
Student Essay: ``Driving to Preserve Your Car''	360	(4)
Monica Esparza
Reading for Ideas	364	(7)
Alternate Reading: ``In the Valley of the Shadow''	365	(6)
Carl Sagan
Writing Assignments	371	(1)
Reading for Ideas	371	(6)
Alternate Reading: ``Coming into Language''	371	(6)
Jimmy Santiago Baca
Writing Assignments	377	(1)
Reading for Ideas	377	(10)
Alternate Reading: ``How to Say Nothing in 500 Words''	378	(9)
Paul Roberts
Writing Assignments	387	(1)
Internet Research Assignment	388	(1)
Additional Writing Assignments	388	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	388	(1)
Photo Writing Assignment	389	(1)
Classification/Division	390	(40)
Reading for Ideas	390	(6)
Story: ``Harrison Bergeron''	390	(6)
Kurt Vonnegut. Jr.
Reading for Ideas	396	(1)
Poem: ``All the World's a Stage''	396	(1)
William Shakespeare
How to Write a Classification/Division Paper	397	(7)
Writing Assignment	397	(1)
Specific Instructions	397	(3)
Student Tip for Inventing Ideas	400	(3)
Writing Tip: Do a Personal Division	403	(1)
Reading for Ideas	404	(7)
Professional Model: ``The Plot against People''	404	(2)
Russell Baker
Student Essay: ``Handicaps''	406	(5)
David Beckham
Reading for Ideas	411	(3)
Alternate Reading: ``Three Types of Resistance to Oppression''	411	(3)
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Writing Assignments	414	(1)
Reading for Ideas	414	(7)
Alternate Reading: ``College Pressures''	415	(6)
William Zinsser
Writing Assignments	421	(1)
Reading for Ideas	421	(6)
Alternate Reading: ``Mother Tongue''	422	(5)
Amy Tan
Writing Assignments	427	(1)
Internet Research Assignment	427	(1)
Additional Writing Assignments	427	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	428	(1)
Photo Writing Assignment	429	(1)
Causal Analysis	430	(46)
Reading for Ideas	430	(4)
Story: ``The Girls in Their Summer Dresses''	430	(4)
Irwin Shaw
Reading for Ideas	434	(2)
Poem: ``Money''	435	(1)
Victor Contoski
How to Write an Analysis of Cause	436	(8)
Writing Assignment	437	(1)
Specific Instructions	437	(2)
Student Tip for Inventing Ideas	439	(2)
Writing Tip: Analyze the Cause of a Local Problem	441	(3)
Reading for Ideas	444	(12)
Professional Model: ``Mary Todd Lincoln: Second Thoughts on Our Most Vilified First Lady''	445	(5)
Irving Stone
Student Essay: ``Crooks, Fools, and Congressmen''	450	(6)
Letitia Sanchez
Reading for Ideas	456	(3)
Alternate Reading: ``Why We Crave Horror Movies''	456	(3)
Stephen King
Writing Assignments	459	(1)
Reading for Ideas	459	(9)
Alternate Reading: ``Grow Up? Not So Fast''	459	(9)
Lev Grossman
Writing Assignments	468	(1)
Reading for Ideas	469	(3)
Alternate Reading: ``Black Men and Public Space''	469	(3)
Brent Staples
Writing Assignments	472	(1)
Internet Research Assignment	472	(1)
Additional Writing Assignments	473	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	474	(1)
Photo Writing Assignment	475	(1)
Argumentation	476	(57)
Reading for Ideas	476	(3)
Story: ``War''	476	(3)
Luigi Pirandello
Reading for Ideas	479	(4)
Poem: ``Dooley Is a Traitor''	480	(3)
James Michie
How to Write an Argument	483	(13)
Writing Assignment	483	(1)
Specific Instructions	484	(1)
Student Tip for Inventing Ideas	485	(5)
Writing Tip: Focus and Fairness	490	(6)
Reading for Ideas	496	(15)
Professional Model: ``The Case against Man''	497	(4)
Isaac Asimov
Student Essay: ``Against Fraternities''	501	(10)
Francis Shriver
Reading for Ideas	511	(3)
Alternate Reading: ``I Want a Wife''	512	(2)
Judy Syfers
Writing Assignments	514	(1)
Reading for Ideas	514	(3)
Alternate Reading: ``The Don't Impose Your Values' Argument Is Bigotry in Disguise''	514	(3)
John Leo
Writing Assignments	517	(1)
Cluster Argument: Three Positions on Same-Sex Marriage	518	(1)
Reading for Ideas	518	(5)
Pro: ``What Would Happen If We Hegalized Gay Marriage''	519	(4)
Michael Alvear
Reading for Ideas	523	(3)
Con: ``The Marriage Buffet''	523	(3)
David Frum
Reading for Ideas	526	(4)
Neutral: ``A More Perfect Union: How the Founding Fathers Would Have Handled Gay Marriage''	527	(3)
Jonathan Rauch
Writing Assignments	530	(1)
Internet Research Assignment	530	(1)
Additional Writing Assignments	530	(1)
Rewriting Assignment	531	(1)
Photo Writing Assignment	532	(1)
Part III The Essay Examination	533	(14)
Preparing for the Essay Examination	535	(12)
How to Do Well on Essay Examinations	535	(2)
Read the Question Carefully, at Least Twice	535	(1)
Give the Question Some Thought before Starting to Write	536	(1)
Organize Your Thoughts through Prewriting	536	(1)
Time Yourself Carefully	536	(1)
Using Rhetorical Strategies in Essay Examinations	537	(3)
Sample Essay Exams	540	(7)
Part IV The Research Paper	547	(66)
Doing the Research	549	(12)
Choosing a Topic	550	(1)
Doing the Research	550	(1)
Using the Internet to Research a Topic	551	(2)
Search Engines	551	(1)
Evaluating the Reliability of Web Sites	552	(1)
Compile a Bibliography	553	(1)
Take Notes	554	(4)
Using a Computer or Photocopier to Take Notes	557	(1)
Formulating the Thesis, Outlining the Paper, and Writing the Abstract	558	(3)
The Thesis	558	(1)
The Outline	559	(1)
The Abstract	560	(1)
Writing and Documenting the Paper	561	(52)
Plagiarism	561	(2)
Documenting the Humanities Paper (MLA)	563	(14)
Using Parenthetical Documentation	563	(5)
Using Content Notes	568	(1)
Preparing the List of ``Works Cited''	569	(6)
Citing Electronic Sources	575	(2)
Documenting the Social Sciences Paper (APA)	577	(9)
Using Parenthetical Documentation	577	(3)
Using Content Notes	580	(1)
Preparing the List of ``References''	581	(4)
Citing Electronic Sources	585	(1)
Preparing the Final Copy (MLA)	586	(2)
Preparing the Final Copy (APA)	588	(25)
Exercises	589	(3)
Sample Student Papers	592	(21)
Part V Handbook	613	(92)
Grammar Fundamentals	615	(19)
The Sentence	615	(3)
The Subject and Predicate	615	(1)
The Complete Subject and Predicate	616	(1)
The Compound Subject and Predicate	616	(1)
Exercises	616	(2)
The Clause and Phrase	618	(2)
The Clause	618	(1)
The Phrase	619	(1)
Exercises	619	(1)
Sentence Types	620	(5)
Classification according to Function	621	(1)
Classification according to Form	621	(1)
Exercises	622	(3)
Parts of Speech	625	(9)
The Verb	625	(1)
The Noun	626	(1)
The Pronoun	626	(1)
The Adjective	627	(1)
The Article	628	(1)
The Adverb	628	(1)
The Preposition	629	(1)
The Conjunction	630	(1)
The Interjection	631	(1)
Context and Parts of Speech	631	(1)
Exercises	632	(2)
Correcting Common Errors	634	(71)
Errors with Sentences	634	(3)
Exercises	635	(2)
Errors in Agreement	637	(8)
Errors with Verbs	638	(1)
Exercises	638	(2)
Errors with Pronouns	640	(3)
Exercises	643	(2)
Errors in Point of View	645	(4)
Person	645	(1)
Tense	645	(1)
Mood	646	(1)
Voice	646	(1)
Discourse	646	(1)
Key Words	646	(1)
Exercises	646	(3)
Errors in Reference	649	(4)
Exercises	650	(3)
Errors with Modifiers	653	(5)
Exercises	654	(4)
Errors in Parallelism	658	(4)
Exercises	658	(4)
Errors in Diction	662	(16)
Use the Correct Word	662	(6)
Exercises	668	(2)
Use Concrete Words	670	(1)
Exercises	671	(3)
Wordiness	674	(1)
Exercises	675	(3)
Combining Sentences	678	(6)
Subordination by Phrase	679	(1)
Subordination by Dependent Clause	680	(1)
Choosing the Right Subordinator	680	(1)
Exercises	681	(3)
Errors in Punctuation	684	(13)
The Period .	684	(1)
The Comma ,	685	(1)
The Semicolon ;	686	(1)
The Colon :	687	(1)
The Dash ---	687	(1)
The Question Mark ?	688	(1)
The Exclamation Point !	688	(1)
The Apostrophe '	688	(1)
Parentheses ( )	689	(1)
Quotation Marks ``''	689	(2)
Italics ___	691	(1)
The Hyphen -	692	(1)
Exercises	692	(5)
Errors in Capitalization	697	(4)
Exercises	698	(3)
Errors in Spelling	701	(4)
Exercises	702	(3)
Appendix: Answers to Self-Grading Exercises	705	(12)
Credits	717	(4)
Index	721