Wordsmith: A Guide to Paragraphs and Short Essays (Book Alone)

by Arlov, Pamela

• ISBN13: 9780131949850
• ISBN10: 0131949853
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Encouraging writers to think logically and communicate clearly, this practical and comprehensive book presents writing and grammar in an organized and appealing way, with myriad examples and exercises to support concepts and hone skills. Using a structured yet flexible approach, it systematically covers all the steps of the writing process; explores strategies for creating topic sentences and writing paragraphs (with a sample paragraph shown in its progress from idea to finished essay); and shares nine different methods of development with model paragraphs. It presents a separate "mix and match" grammar section with minimal jargon, maximum clarity, and a wealth of exercises, and a selection of short, entertaining readingscomplete with reading comprehension questions and writing assignmentsthat introduces students to the connection between reading and writing. For individuals who want to improve their written communication skills.

Table of Contents

Preface
Updates to the Third Edition	p. xvii
To the Instructor	p. xix
To the Student	p. xxvii
Composition	p. 1
The Writing Process	p. 3
The Writing Process	p. 4
Prewriting	p. 4
Planning	p. 5
Drafting	p. 5
Revising	p. 5
Proofreading	p. 6
An Important Point	p. 6
The Writing Process: Stephanie's Paragraph	p. 7
Writing for Right-Brained Writers	p. 11
Preparing to Write	p. 15
Prewriting	p. 16
Prewriting Methods	p. 16
Brainstorming	p. 16
Freewriting	p. 17
Invisible Writing: A Computer Technique	p. 18
Clustering	p. 19
Narrowing Your Topic: The Topic-Subtopic Method	p. 21
Outlining	p. 23
Journal Writing	p. 24
Progressive Writing Assignment	p. 25
Writing Paragraphs: Topic Sentences	p. 29
Characteristics of an Effective Paragraph	p. 30
Direction: Shaping the Topic Sentence of a Paragraph	p. 30
Progressive Writing Assignment	p. 38
Writing Paragraphs: Support	p. 41
Characteristics of an Effective Paragraph	p. 42
Support: Using Specific Detail	p. 42
Progressive Writing Assignment	p. 57
Writing Paragraphs: Unity and Coherence	p. 59
Characteristics of an Effective Paragraph	p. 59
Unity: Sticking to the Point	p. 60
Coherence: Holding the Paragraph Together	p. 65
Progressive Writing Assignment	p. 73
Revising, Proofreading, and Formatting	p. 75
Revising	p. 76
Checklist for Revision	p. 77
Proofreading	p. 79
The Top-Down Technique	p. 80
The Bottom-Up Technique	p. 80
The Targeting Technique	p. 80
Proofreading the Word-Processed Paragraph	p. 81
Formatting	p. 83
Handwritten Documents	p. 83
Word-Processed Documents	p. 84
Progressive Writing Assignment	p. 85
Showing and Telling: Description, Narration, and Example	p. 87
Laying the Groundwork for Descriptive Writing	p. 88
Description	p. 88
Sense Impressions	p. 89
Spatial Order	p. 91
Establishing a Dominant Impression	p. 93
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Descriptive Paragraphs	p. 94
Narration	p. 98
Laying the Groundwork for Narrative Writing	p. 98
Steps to Writing a Successful Narrative	p. 99
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Narrative Paragraphs	p. 101
Examples	p. 104
Laying the Groundwork for Writing Using Examples	p. 104
The Short Example	p. 105
The Sentence-Length Example	p. 106
The Extended Example	p. 108
Wordsmith's Corner: Paragraphs Developed by Example	p. 109
Topics for Combining Methods of Development	p. 113
Limiting and Ordering: Definition, Classification, and Process	p. 117
Definition	p. 118
Laying the Groundwork for Writing a Definition	p. 118
Setting Up Your Definition Paragraph	p. 119
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Definition Paragraphs	p. 120
Classification	p. 124
Laying the Groundwork for Classification	p. 124
Establishing a Basis for Classification	p. 125
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Classification Paragraphs	p. 128
Process	p. 131
Laying the Groundwork for Process Writing	p. 132
Organizing the Process Paper	p. 133
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Process Paragraphs	p. 133
Topics for Combining Methods of Development	p. 137
Examining Logical Connections: Comparison-Contrast, Cause-Effect, and Argument	p. 141
Comparison-Contrast	p. 142
Laying the Groundwork for Comparison and Contrast	p. 142
Setting up a Comparison-Contrast Paragraph	p. 143
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Comparison-Contrast Paragraphs	p. 147
Cause and Effect	p. 150
Laying the Groundwork for Cause-Effect Writing	p. 150
Identifying Causes and Effects	p. 151
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Cause-Effect Paragraphs	p. 152
Argument	p. 155
Laying the Groundwork for Writing an Argument	p. 156
Taking Sides	p. 156
Will You Change Anyone's Mind?	p. 158
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Argument Paragraphs	p. 158
Topics for Combining Methods of Development	p. 161
Writing an Essay	p. 165
Parts of an Essay	p. 166
Essay Diagram	p. 166
Sample Essay	p. 167
Meeting the Challenge of Essay Writing	p. 168
Characteristics of an Effective Essay	p. 169
Writing the Essay	p. 169
Providing Direction: Writing the Thesis Statement	p. 169
Getting Started: Introducing the Essay	p. 172
The Body Paragraphs: Unity	p. 174
The Body Paragraphs: Support	p. 175
The Body Paragraphs: Coherence	p. 177
A Graceful Exit: The Conclusion	p. 179
Wordsmith's Corner: Sample Essays	p. 180
Checklist for Revision	p. 185
Writing Summary Reports	p. 187
Writing a Summary Report	p. 187
Five Steps in Writing an Article Summary	p. 188
Choose a Topic and Find Sources of Information	p. 188
Evaluate Sources of Information	p. 190
Read Your Article Thoroughly	p. 190
Draft Your Paper	p. 191
Format, Proofread, and Cite Your Source	p. 192
Paraphrasing: An Essential Skill	p. 192
Brief Guide to MLA (Modern Language Association) Style	p. 197
Formatting Your Paper	p. 197
Referencing Sources Within Your Paper	p. 198
The Works Cited List	p. 198
A Model Summary Report	p. 199
Grammar	p. 207
Verbs and Subjects	p. 209
Action and Linking Verbs	p. 210
Action Verbs	p. 210
Linking Verbs	p. 210
Recognizing Verbs and Subjects	p. 212
Finding the Verb	p. 212
Finding the Subject	p. 214
Recognizing Prepositional Phrases	p. 215
Regular and Irregular Verbs	p. 218
Puzzling Pairs	p. 221
Review Exercises	p. 224
Subject-Verb Agreement	p. 227
The Basic Pattern	p. 228
Problems in Subject-Verb Agreement	p. 231
Prepositional Phrase between Subject and Verb	p. 231
Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects	p. 232
Subject Following the Verb	p. 233
Compound Subjects	p. 234
Review Exercises	p. 237
Verb Shifts	p. 241
Shifts in Tense	p. 242
Avoiding Unnecessary Tense Shifts	p. 243
Active and Passive Voice	p. 244
Uses of Active and Passive Voice	p. 246
Writing Sentences in Active and Passive Voice	p. 247
Correcting Shifts in Voice	p. 249
Review Exercises	p. 251
Sentence Variety	p. 257
Power Tools for Writing Sentences	p. 257
Be Concise	p. 258
Vary Sentence Openings	p. 259
Connect Ideas through Coordination	p. 263
Connect Ideas through Subordination	p. 266
Review Exercises	p. 271
Run-on Sentences	p. 275
What Is a Run-on Sentence?	p. 275
Correcting Run-ons	p. 277
Period and Capital Letter	p. 277
Comma and FANBOYS Conjunction	p. 278
Semicolon	p. 279
Semicolon and Joining Word	p. 280
Dependent Word	p. 281
Review Exercises	p. 284
Sentence Fragments	p. 289
What Is a Sentence Fragment?	p. 289
Dependent Clause Fragments	p. 290
Verbal Phrase Fragments (to, -ing, and -ed)	p. 291
Missing-Subject Fragments	p. 294
Example and Exception Fragments	p. 296
Prepositional Phrase Fragments	p. 297
Review Exercises	p. 298
Pronoun Case	p. 305
Subject and Object Pronouns	p. 305
Subject Pronouns	p. 306
Object Pronouns	p. 308
Intensive and Reflexive Pronouns	p. 309
Intensive Pronouns	p. 309
Reflexive Pronouns	p. 310
Problems with Intensive and Reflexive Pronouns	p. 310
Using Who and Whom	p. 312
The Substitution Method for Who and Whom	p. 312
Who and Whom in Questions	p. 313
Who and Whom after Prepositions	p. 314
Review Exercises	p. 316
Pronoun Agreement, Reference, and Point of View	p. 319
Pronoun Agreement	p. 320
Problems in Pronoun Agreement	p. 321
Pronouns and Gender Fairness	p. 323
Pronoun Reference	p. 325
Pronoun Reference Problem: No Antecedent	p. 325
Pronoun Reference Problems with This	p. 326
Pronoun Point of View	p. 328
Review Exercises	p. 329
Adjectives Adverbs, and Articles	p. 335
Adjectives	p. 336
Adjective Forms: Positive, Comparative, and Superlative	p. 336
Adverbs	p. 339
Puzzling Pairs	p. 342
Articles	p. 344
Using a and an	p. 344
Review Exercises	p. 346
Capital Letters	p. 349
Capital Letters to Begin Sentences	p. 349
Capitalization of Words Referring to Individuals	p. 350
Names and the Pronoun I	p. 350
Family Relationships	p. 350
Professional Titles	p. 351
Capitalization of Words Referring to Groups	p. 352
Religions, Geographic Locations, Races, and Nationalities	p. 352
Organizations, Businesses, and Agencies	p. 352
Capitalization of Words Referring to Time and Place	p. 353
Dates, Days, Holidays, and Seasons	p. 353
Place Names	p. 354
Capitalization of Words Referring to Things and Activities	p. 355
School Subjects	p. 355
Titles	p. 355
Consumer Products	p. 356
Abbreviations	p. 356
Review Exercises	p. 357
Words Commonly Confused	p. 361
Words Commonly Confused	p. 362
Review Exercises	p. 366
Word Choice	p. 371
Slang	p. 372
Cliches	p. 373
Wordiness	p. 374
Review Exercises	p. 377
Commas	p. 383
Commas to Set off Introductory Words, Phrases, and Clauses	p. 384
Commas to Join Items in a Series	p. 384
Commas to Join Independent Clauses	p. 386
Commas around Interrupters	p. 387
Commas with Direct Quotations	p. 388
Commas in Names and Dates	p. 389
Review Exercises	p. 390
Other Punctuation	p. 395
End Punctuation: Period, Question Mark, and Exclamation Point	p. 396
The Period	p. 396
The Question Mark	p. 396
The Exclamation Point	p. 397
The Semicolon	p. 398
Semicolon to Join Independent Clauses	p. 398
Semicolon to Join Items in a List	p. 398
Colons and Dashes: Formal and Informal Punctuation	p. 399
The Colon	p. 399
The Dash	p. 400
Parentheses: Tools of Understatement	p. 401
Review Exercises	p. 402
Apostrophes	p. 407
Apostrophes in Contractions	p. 407
Apostrophes to Show Possession	p. 409
Making Nouns Possessive	p. 409
Distinguishing Possessives from Simple Plurals	p. 411
Possessive Forms of Pronouns	p. 412
Proofreading for Apostrophe Errors	p. 413
Review Exercises	p. 415
Quotation Marks	p. 419
Quotation Marks to Signal Quotations	p. 420
Direct Quotations	p. 420
Indirect Quotations	p. 422
Quotations Marks, Underlining, and Italics to Set off Titles	p. 424
Review Exercises	p. 427
Eight Editing Exercises	p. 432
Readings	p. 441
Action Hero	p. 443
Setting Boundaries	p. 448
Against the Wall	p. 453
Older and Wiser-or Just Older?	p. 459
Barbie Madness	p. 464
Living at Warp Speed	p. 469
Spanglish Spoken Here	p. 473
Recipe for a Sick Society	p. 479
Don't Blame Me! The New "Culture of Victimization"	p. 484
How 'bout Us?	p. 490
Mixed Blessings	p. 495
One for the Books	p. 501
American Space, Chinese Place	p. 505
Disorders R Us	p. 510
Civil Rites	p. 515
All the Rage	p. 520
Conversational Ballgames	p. 525
I Wonder: Was It Me or Was It My Sari?	p. 531
Music: A Universal Language	p. 536
What If My Friends Hadn't Run?	p. 542
Credits	p. 547
Index	p. 551
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