Wordsmith : A Guide to Paragraphs and Short Essays

by Arlov, Pamela; Arlov, Pamela

• ISBN13: 9780130951038
• ISBN10: 013095103X
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780130488954
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-07-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Focusing on developmental writing at the paragraph level, this comprehensive guide offers a clear and systematic presentation of writing and grammar, with myriad examples and exercises to support concepts and hone skills. Covering all steps of the writing process in the order in which a writer uses them, it provides strategies for creating topic sentences and writing paragraphs, and presents nine different methods of development with model paragraphs. It devotes an entire section to grammar, and finishes with a selection of short, entertaining readings -- complete with reading comprehension questions and writing assignments - that helps users take advantage of the strong connection between reading and writing. Offers consecutive chapters on prewriting, writing the paragraph, revising, and proofreading, and addresses the concepts of direction, unity, coherence and support as an integral part of writing supporting paragraphs. Explains grammatical concepts in a systematic and easy-to-understand manner, with many review exercises and interesting side boxes. Provides twenty brief, interesting readings that reinforce reading skills and illustrate different writing techniques. Includes lighthearted chapter-opening boxes, a running sample paragraph in progress, and tips for right-brained writers. For anyone wishing to strengthen their writing skills communicate more clearly.

Table of Contents

Preface
To the Instructor	xix
To the Student	xxv
PART 1 Composition
The Writing Process	3	(12)
The Writing Process	4	(11)
Prewriting	4	(1)
Planning	4	(1)
Drafting	4	(1)
Revising	5	(1)
Proofreading	5	(1)
An Important Point	6	(1)
The Writing Process: Stephanie's Paragraph	6	(6)
Writing for Right-Brained Writers	12	(3)
Preparing to Write	15	(11)
Prewriting	16	(1)
Prewriting Methods	16	(8)
Brainstorming	16	(1)
Freewriting	17	(2)
Invisible Writing: A Computer Technique	19	(1)
Clustering	19	(2)
Narrowing Your Topic: The Topic-Subtopic Method	21	(2)
Outlining	23	(1)
Journal Writing	24	(2)
Writing Paragraphs	26	(26)
Characteristics of an Effective Paragraph	26	(26)
Direction: Shaping the Topic Sentence of a Paragraph	27	(6)
Unity: Sticking to the Point	33	(3)
Coherence: Holding the Paragraph Together	36	(7)
Support: Using Specific Detail	43	(9)
Revising and Proofreading	52	(8)
Revising	52	(4)
Checklist for Revision	53	(3)
Proofreading	56	(4)
The Top-Down Technique	57	(1)
The Bottom-Up Technique	57	(1)
The Targeting Technique	57	(1)
Proofreading the Word-Processed Paragraph	58	(2)
Showing and Telling: Description, Narration, and Example	60	(24)
Description	60	(10)
Sense Impressions	61	(2)
Spatial Order	63	(2)
Establishing a Dominant Impression	65	(1)
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Descriptive Paragraphs	66	(4)
Narration	70	(6)
Steps to Writing a Successful Narrative	70	(3)
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Narrative Paragraphs	73	(3)
Examples	76	(8)
The Short Example	76	(1)
The Sentence-Length Example	77	(2)
The Extended Example	79	(1)
Wordsmith's Corner: Paragraphs Developed by Example	80	(4)
Limiting and Ordering: Definition, Classification, and Process	84	(18)
Definition	84	(6)
Setting Up Your Definition Paragraph	85	(1)
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Definition Paragraphs	86	(4)
Classification	90	(6)
Establishing a Basis for Classification	90	(3)
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Classification Paragraphs	93	(3)
Process	96	(6)
Organizing the Process Paper	97	(1)
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Process Paragraphs	97	(5)
Examining Logical Connections: Comparison-Contrast, Cause-Effect, and Argument	102	(19)
Comparison-Contrast	103	(7)
Setting Up the Comparison-Contrast Paragraph	103	(4)
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample comparison-Contrast Paragraphs	107	(3)
Cause and Effect	110	(5)
Identifying Causes and Effects	111	(1)
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Cause-Effect Paragraphs	112	(3)
Argument	115	(6)
Taking Sides	115	(2)
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Argument Paragraphs	117	(4)
Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay	121	(24)
Part of a Five-Paragraph Essay	121	(3)
The Five-Paragraph Essay	122	(1)
Sample Five-Paragraph Essay	123	(1)
Meeting the Challenge of Essay Writing	124	(1)
Characteristics of an Effective Essay	124	(1)
The Five-Paragraph Essay: Construction and Assembly	125	(20)
Providing direction: Writing the Thesis Statement	125	(3)
Getting Started: Introducing the Essay	128	(2)
The Body Paragraphs: Unity	130	(1)
The Body Paragraphs: Support	131	(3)
The Body Paragraphs: Coherence	134	(1)
A Graceful Exit: The Conclusion	135	(1)
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Five-Paragraph Essays	136	(5)
Checklist for Revision	141	(4)
PART 2 Grammar
Subjects and Verbs	145	(20)
Action and Linking Verbs	145	(3)
Actions Verbs	146	(1)
Linking Verbs	146	(2)
Recognizing Subjects and Verbs	148	(5)
Finding the Verb	148	(2)
Finding the Subject	150	(1)
Recognizing Prepositional Phrases	151	(2)
Regular and Irregular Verbs	153	(12)
Puzzling Pairs	157	(8)
Subject-Verb Agreement	165	(15)
The Basic Pattern	165	(4)
Problems in Subject-Verb Agreement	169	(11)
Prepositional Phrase between Subject and Verb	169	(1)
Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects	170	(1)
Subject Following the Verb	171	(2)
Compound Subjects	173	(7)
Verb Shifts	180	(17)
Shifts in Tense	180	(3)
Avoiding Unnecessary Tense Shifts	181	(2)
Active and Passive Voice	183	(5)
Uses of Active and Passive Voice	186	(1)
Writing Sentences in Active and Passive Voice	186	(2)
Correcting Shifts in Voice	188	(9)
Sentence Variety	197	(18)
Power Tools for Writing Sentences	197	(18)
Be Concise	197	(2)
Vary Sentence Openings	199	(4)
Connect Ideas through Coordination	203	(3)
Connect Ideas through Subordination	206	(9)
Run-On Sentences	215	(15)
What Is a Run-On Sentence?	215	(1)
Correcting Run-Ons	216	(14)
Period and Capital Letter	217	(1)
Comma and FANBOYS Conjunction	218	(1)
Semicolon	219	(1)
Semicolon and Joining Word	220	(2)
Dependent Word	222	(8)
Sentence Fragments	230	(17)
What Is a Sentence Fragment?	230	(17)
Dependent Clause Fragments	231	(2)
Verbal Phrase Fragments (to, -ing, and -ed)	233	(3)
Missing-Subject Fragments	236	(2)
Example and Exception Fragments	238	(1)
Prepositional-Phrase Fragments	239	(8)
Pronoun Case	247	(10)
Subject and Object Pronouns	247	(10)
Subject Pronouns	248	(2)
Object Pronouns	250	(1)
The -self Pronouns---Intensive and Reflexive Pronouns	251	(6)
Pronoun Agreement, Reference, and Point of View	257	(17)
Pronoun Agreement	258	(5)
Problems in Pronoun Agreement	259	(4)
Pronoun Reference	263	(3)
Pronoun Reference Problem: No Antecedent	263	(1)
Pronoun Reference Problems with this	264	(2)
Pronoun Point of View	266	(8)
Adjectives, Adverbs, and Articles	274	(19)
Adjectives	274	(4)
Adjective Forms: Positive, Comparative, and Superlative	275	(3)
Adverbs	278	(4)
Puzzling Pairs---good and well, bad and badly	280	(1)
Puzzling Pairs---worse and worst	281	(1)
Articles	282	(11)
Using a and an	282	(1)
For International Students: Three Rules for a, an, and the	283	(10)
Capital Letters	293	(12)
Capital Letters to Begin Sentences	293	(1)
Capitalization of Words Referring to Individuals	294	(2)
Names and the Pronoun I	294	(1)
Family Relationships	294	(1)
Professional Titles	295	(1)
Capitalization of Words Referring to Groups	296	(1)
Religions, Geographic Locations, Races, and Nationalities	296	(1)
Organizations, Businesses, and Agencies	296	(1)
Capitalization of Words Referring to Time and Place	297	(2)
Dates, Days, Holidays, and Seasons	297	(1)
Place Names	298	(1)
Capitalization of Words Referring to Things and Activities	299	(6)
School Subjects	299	(1)
Titles	300	(1)
Consumer Products	300	(1)
Abbreviations	300	(5)
Words Commonly Confused	305	(9)
Words Commonly Confused	305	(9)
Word Choice	314	(12)
Slang	314	(2)
Cliches	316	(1)
Wordiness	317	(9)
Commas	326	(13)
Commas to Set Off Introductory Words, Phrases, and Clauses	326	(1)
Commas to Join Items in a Series	327	(2)
Commas to Join Independent Clauses	329	(1)
Commas Around Interrupters	330	(1)
Commas with Direct Quotations	331	(1)
Commas in Names and Dates	332	(7)
Other Punctuation	339	(12)
End Punctuation: Period, Questions Mark, and Exclamation Point	339	(2)
The Period	339	(1)
The Question Mark	340	(1)
The Exclamation Point	340	(1)
The Semicolon	341	(2)
Semicolon to Join Independent Clauses	341	(1)
Semicolon to Join Items in a List	342	(1)
Colons and Dashes: Formal and Informal Punctuation	343	(1)
The Colon	343	(1)
The Dash	344	(1)
Parentheses: Tools of Understatement	344	(7)
Apostrophes	351	(15)
Apostrophes in Contractions	351	(2)
Apostrophes to Show Possession	353	(13)
Making Nouns Possessive	353	(3)
Distinguishing Possessives from Simple Plurals	356	(1)
Possessive Forms of Pronouns	357	(1)
Proofreading for Apostrophe Errors	358	(8)
Quotation Marks	366	(123)
Quotation Marks to Signal Quotations	366	(4)
Direct Quotations	366	(2)
Indirect Quotations	368	(2)
Quotations Marks and Underlining to Set Off Titles	370	(11)
PART 3 Readings
Action Hero	381	(5)
Rulon Openshaw
Complaining	386	(4)
Maya Angelou
Against the Wall Associated Press	390	(6)
Older and Wiser---or Just Older?	396	(5)
William Raspberry
Barbie Madness	401	(5)
Cynthia Tucker
Living at Warp Speed	406	(5)
Michael Ashcraft
Spanglish Spoken Here	411	(6)
Janice Castro
Dan Cook
Cristina Garcia
Recipe for a Sick Society	417	(5)
Donna Britt
Don't Blame Me! The New ``Culture of Victimization,''	422	(7)
John J. Macionis
How 'bout Us?	429	(5)
Leonard Pitts
Mixed Blessings	434	(5)
Jim Auchmutey
One for the Books	439	(4)
Rheta Grimsley Johnson
American Space Chinese Place	443	(5)
Yi-Fu Tuan
Disorders R Us	448	(6)
Michael Skube
Civil Rites	454	(5)
Caroline Miller
All the Rage	459	(5)
Dave Barry
Conversational Ballgames	464	(7)
Nancy Masterton Sakamoto
Muhammad Ali: Still the Greatest	471	(6)
William Gildea
Music: A Universal Language	477	(6)
Candace Dyer
Prison Studies	483	(6)
Malcolm X
Acknowledgments	489	(2)
Index	491