Models for Writers : Short Essays for Composition

by Alred Rosa; Paul Eschholz

• ISBN13: 9780312446376
• ISBN10: 0312446373
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2006-06-22
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's

Summary

It's a simple, best-selling combination that's worked for over 20 years -- short, accessible essays and helpful, thorough writing instruction.Models for Writerscontinues to offer thought-provoking selections organized to demonstrate not only the rhetorical patterns that students will use in their own essays but also the elements and language that will make those essays effective. With a wide variety of new selections and new attention to sentence grammar, reading comprehension, and critical thinking, the new edition ofModels for Writersonce again stakes its claim as America's best-selling short essay reader.

Author Biography

ALFRED ROSA and PAUL ESCHHOLZ are professors emeriti of English at the University of Vermont. They have directed statewide writing programs and conducted numerous workshops throughout the country on writing and the teaching of writing. Rosa and Eschholz have collaborated on a number of best-selling texts for Bedford/St. Martin's, including Subjects/Strategies, Tenth Edition (2005); Outlooks and Insights: A Reader for College Writers, Fourth Edition (1995); with Virginia Clark, Language Awareness, Ninth Edition (2005); and, with Virginia Clark and Beth Simon, Language: Readings in Language and Culture, Seventh Edition (2007).

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Thematic Clusters	xxi
Introduction for Students	1	(6)
part one On Reading and Writing Well
1 The Writing Process	7	(34)
Prewriting	7	(11)
Understand Your Assignment	8	(1)
Choose a Subject Area, and Focus on a Topic	9	(1)
Get Ideas and Collect Information	10	(2)
Establish Your Thesis	12	(2)
Know Your Audience	14	(1)
Determine Your Method of Development	15	(2)
Map Your Organization	17	(1)
Writing the First Draft	18	(2)
Create a Title	19	(1)
Focus on Beginnings and Endings	19	(1)
Revising	20	(1)
Editing	21	(9)
Run-ons: Fused Sentences and Comma Splices	21	(1)
Sentence Fragments	22	(1)
Subject-Verb Agreement	23	(1)
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement	24	(1)
Verb Tense Shifts	25	(1)
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers	26	(1)
Faulty Parallelism	27	(1)
Weak Nouns and Verbs	28	(1)
ESL Concerns (Articles and Nouns)	28	(2)
Proofreading	30	(1)
Writing an Expository Essay: A Student Essay in Progress	31	(10)
Jeffrey Olesky, Golf: A Character Builder (student essay)	36	(5)
2 From Reading to Writing	41	(30)
Getting the Most Out of Your Reading	41	(13)
Prereading: Preparing Yourself	42	(3)
The First Reading: Getting an Overview of the Selection	45	(1)
The Second Reading: Coming to an Understanding of the Selection	45	(1)
Responding to Your Reading: Making Marginal Notes	45	(1)
Analyzing: Asking Yourself Questions as You Read	46	(1)
An Example: Annotating Isaac Asimov's "Intelligence"	47	(2)
Practice: Reading and Annotating Rachel Carson's "Fable for Tomorrow"	49	(1)
Rachel Carson, Fable for Tomorrow	50	(4)
Using Your Reading in the Writing Process	54	(3)
Reading as a Writer	55	(2)
Writing from Reading: Three Sample Student Essays	57	(14)
A Narrative Essay: Lisa V. Driver, The Strong Arm of a Sixth-Grade Teacher (student essay)	57	(2)
A Response Essay: Zoe Ockenga, The Excuse "Not To" (student essay)	59	(5)
An Analytical Essay: Susan Francis, The Disgrace of Man (student essay)	64	(7)
part two The Elements of the Essay
3 Thesis	71	(19)
Helen Keller, The Most Important Day	74	(6)
The celebrated blind and deaf writer recalls her discovery of language.
James Lincoln Collier, Anxiety: Challenge by Another Name	80	(6)
A writer asserts that we can "accomplish wonders" if we "accept anxiety as another name for challenge."
Etta Kralovec, No More Pep Rallies!	86	(4)
An educator argues that "learning the basics is often only a by-product of our public education system."
4 Unity	90	(19)
Sandra Cisneros, My Name	94	(4)
A Chicana writer explores the many facets of her inherited name.
Anthony Komaroff, Technology's Limits	98	(5)
A doctor talks about the special relationship he had with one of his patients.
Gloria Naylor, The Meanings of a Word	103	(6)
In "meeting the word [nigger] head on," blacks have "rendered it impotent," according to a prominent African American novelist.
5 Organization	109	(24)
Cherokee Paul McDonald, A View from the Bridge	114	(7)
An encounter with a young fisherman teaches the author a lesson in what it means to see.
Eudora Welty, The Corner Store	121	(5)
A novelist describes a cherished place from her childhood.
William Lutz, Doubts about Doublespeak	126	(7)
A professor and language consultant discusses "language that pretends to communicate but doesn't."
6 Beginnings and Endings	133	(31)
Michael T. Kaufman, Of My Friend Hector and My Achilles Heel	140	(6)
A journalist reveals his "prejudice and stupidity" in this essay about his relationship with a childhood friend.
Robin Marantz Henig, Something's Off	146	(5)
A journalist writes about losing and then regaining her sense of smell.
Ruth Russell, The Wounds That Can't Be Stitched Up	151	(6)
A student writer reflects on a life-changing automobile accident involving her mother.
Carl T. Rowan, Unforgettable Miss Bessie	157	(7)
A newspaper columnist remembers an influential teacher in the segregated South.
7 Paragraphs	164	(24)
William Zinsser, Simplicity	168	(7)
"The secret of good writing," according to this expert, "is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components."
Robyn Marks, Raising a Son—With Men on the Fringes	175	(7)
An African American journalist writes about the challenges of being a single mother.
Mike Rose, "I Just Wanna Be Average"	182	(6)
A former student pays tribute to a high school teacher who inspired him and encouraged him to continue his studies.
8 Transitions	188	(22)
David Raymond, On Being 17, Bright, and Unable to Read	192	(7)
A dyslexic high school student describes his experiences.
Russell Baker, Becoming a Writer	199	(6)
The author remembers his joy at the discovery that his "words had the power to make people laugh."
David McCullough, Why History?	205	(5)
According to this historian and Pulitzer Prize–winning author, "history...enlarges and intensifies the experience of being alive."
9 Effective Sentences	210
Annie Dillard, From An American Childhood	215	(5)
The wonder of seeing through a microscope ignites a naturalist's lifelong curiosity.
Langston Hughes, Salvation	220	(5)
A famous poet remembers a church revival meeting at which he pretended to be "saved from sin."
Caroline Hwang, The Good Daughter	225	(5)
When the author mispronounces her own name in Korean, she questions her national—and personal—identities.
Martin Gansberg, 38 Who Saw Murder Didn't Call Police	230	(9)
A reporter's account of a notorious case of urban apathy causes us to reflect on our responsibilities to one another.
part three The Language of the Essay
10 Diction and Tone	239	(31)
Dick Gregory, Shame	245	(6)
A civil rights advocate recalls a painful childhood incident.
David Sedaris, Me Talk Pretty One Day	251	(8)
A popular American essayist recounts his experience of trying to learn French in Paris.
Sarah Vowell, Pop-A-Shot	259	(5)
There are merits to "goofing off," argues this writer and cultural observer.
Merrill Markoe, Who Am I?	264	(6)
A comedy writer tries to learn about herself by filling in online personality surveys.
11 Figurative Language	270	(25)
Robert Ramirez, The Barrio	272	(7)
A Hispanic writer paints a vivid and sensuous picture of the district called the barrio.
Gary Soto, The Jacket	279	(6)
A poet and author describes his bitter relationship with an ugly jacket from his childhood.
George Orwell, A Hanging	285	(10)
In this classic essay, the novelist and essayist argues for the value of life.
part four Types of Essays
12 Illustration	295	(26)
Barbara Huttmann, A Crime of Compassion	299	(7)
A nurse pleads for new legislation that would permit terminally ill patients to choose death with dignity.
Natalie Goldberg, Be Specific	306	(4)
The challenge and joy of writing, says this verbal guru, are in the details.
Richard Lederer, The Case for Short Words	310	(6)
This English teacher and language expert argues that "short words are as good as long ones."
Christie Scotty, Can I Get You Some Manners with That?	316	(5)
A recent college graduate recounts her experiences as a waitress.
13 Narration	321	(30)
Henry Louis Gates Jr., What's in a Name?	325	(5)
A prominent African American scholar remembers a childhood encounter with racism.
Steve Brody, How I Got Smart	330	(7)
A high school crush led this writer to become addicted to learning.
Maya Angelou, Momma, the Dentist, and Me	337	(9)
A celebrated African American writer recounts how a toothache led to a confrontation with racism.
Kate Chopin, The Story of an Hour	346	(5)
The short-story writer captures the truth of a marriage in the events of an hour.
14 Description	351	(19)
Gilbert Highet, Subway Station	353	(4)
A writer and translator finds beauty in a subway station.
Verlyn Klinkenborg, Wyoming Clouds	357	(4)
This farmer-essayist reflects on the clouds that form in the sky above his Wyoming home.
Pete Hamill, City of Islands	361	(4)
A journalist and author describes the "archipelago of New York."
Thomas L. Friedman, My Favorite Teacher	365	(5)
A Pulitzer Prize–winning columnist describes the high school teacher who had the most influence on his career as a journalist.
15 Process Analysis	370	(21)
Garrison Keillor, How to Write a Personal Letter	374	(5)
A teller of homespun tales offers dos and don'ts on the art of letter writing.
Bill Husted, Here's How to Revive a Computer Even after an Evil Wizard Kills the Beast	379	(6)
A computer and technology columnist tells how he brought his stepson's computer back to life.
Lars Eighner, On Dumpster Diving	385	(6)
A formerly homeless man reveals the finer points of scavenging and the lessons that can be learned along the way.
16 Definition	391	(17)
Lawrence M. Friedman, What Is Crime?	394	(4)
A law professor explains what it takes for something to be considered criminal.
William Raspberry, The Handicap of Definition	398	(5)
An African American columnist concludes that real "harm...comes from too narrow a definition of what is black."
Ellen Goodman, The Company Man	403	(5)
A columnist denounces the workaholic lifestyle with a disturbing example.
17 Division and Classification	408	(25)
Martin Luther King Jr., The Ways of Meeting Oppression	412	(5)
In this classic essay, the civil rights leader makes a case for nonviolent resistance.
Judith Viorst, Friends, Good Friends—and Such Good Friends	417	(9)
A magazine writer considers the varieties of friendship.
James David Barber, Four Types of President	426	(7)
A political scientist identifies four basic character types among U.S. presidents.
18 Comparison and Contrast	433	(29)
Mark Twain, Two Ways of Seeing a River	438	(5)
This popular author makes his classic observation that sometimes knowledge can be blinding.
Del Miller, Mac or PC: There Is Simply No Comparison!	443	(8)
An engineer and computer expert asks, "Why don't more people buy Macintosh?"
K. Connie Kang, A Battle of Cultures	451	(5)
Conflict between Koreans and African Americans in New York yields insights into race relations.
Bruce Catton, Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts	456	(6)
A renowned historian compares the two Civil War generals, noting that they may have more in common than would appear at first glance.
19 Cause and Effect	462	(22)
Stephen King, Why We Crave Horror Movies	465	(7)
The king of macabre explains the appeal of horror movies and why he thinks "we're all mentally ill."
Myriam Marquez, Why and When We Speak Spanish in Public	472	(4)
A Hispanic columnist explains why she speaks Spanish in public.
Anna Quindlen, Mom Quixote	476	(4)
This Pulitzer Prize–winning columnist chronicles her attempt to find her son the perfect toy for Christmas.
Norman Mailer, One Idea	480	(4)
A two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning author explores why today's students don't read as much as those of the generation before.
20 Argument	484	(67)
Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence	492	(6)
A country seeks to justify its action to its people and the world in this classic argument.
Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream	498	(7)
In this revered speech, the celebrated civil rights leader imparts his vision of freedom and equality.
Laura Rowley, As They Say, Drugs Kill	505	(5)
A college student witnesses a fatal overdose and shares a tragic lesson.
Mary Sherry, In Praise of the F Word	510	(5)
An educator argues that schools should consider using the "trump card of failure" to motivate students.
The Obesity Epidemic: Who's to Blame?
Greg Critser, Don't Eat the Flan	515	(5)
A writer and cultural observer suggests that gluttony...has become the first media non-sin."
Alison Motluk, Supersize Me: It's Time to Stop Blaming Fat People for Their Size	520	(4)
A science writer argues that environment plays a large role in the problem of obesity in the United States.
Shame: Is It an Effective Punishment?
June Tangney, Condemn the Crime, Not the Person	524	(6)
"Shame often makes a had situation worse," suggests a psychology professor.
Dan M. Kahan, Shame Is Worth a Try	530	(5)
A law professor asserts that "shaming punishments...are extraordinarily effective."
Childhood Vaccinations: Should They Be Mandatory?
Barbara Loe Fisher, Parents Should Be Allowed to Opt Out of Vaccinating Their Children	535	(8)
A mother and activist argues that parents, not the government, should maize healthcare decisions for their children.
Steven P. Shelov, Parents Should Not Be Allowed to Opt Out of Vaccinating Their Children	543	(8)
A doctor asserts that "allowing parents to opt out of vaccinating their children would endanger public health."
Appendix: Writing a Research Paper	551	(40)
Using Print and Online Sources	552	(4)
Developing a Working Bibliography	556	(1)
Internet Research: Subject Directories and Keyword Searches	557	(7)
Taking Notes	564	(5)
Integrating Borrowed Material into Your Text	569	(2)
A Note on Plagiarism	571	(4)
Documenting Sources	575	(9)
An Annotated Student Research Paper	584	(7)
Glossary of Useful Terms	591	(16)
Index	607