Writing First: Practice in Context With Readings

by KIRSZNER

• ISBN13: 9780312193805
• ISBN10: 0312193807
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-08-01
• Publisher: St Martins Pr

Table of Contents

Preface for Instructors	v
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 1 Focus on Paragraphs	1	(36)
Writing a Paragraph	3	(17)
Focusing on Your Assignment, Purpose, and Audience	3	(2)
Using Invention Strategies	5	(8)
Freewriting	5	(2)
Brainstorming	7	(2)
Clustering	9	(2)
Journal Writing	11	(2)
Selecting and Arranging Ideas	13	(2)
Finding an Idea to Develop	13	(1)
Choosing Supporting Material	13	(1)
Ordering Supporting Material	14	(1)
Drafting Your Paragraph	15	(1)
Revising Your Paragraph	16	(4)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Revising Your Paragraph	16	(3)
Review Checklist: Writing a Paragraph	19	(1)
Fine-Tuning Your Paragraph	20	(17)
Writing Unified Paragraphs	20	(4)
Stating the Topic Sentence	20	(1)
Revising Paragraphs for Unity	21	(3)
Writing Well-Developed Paragraphs	24	(3)
Supporting the Topic Sentence	24	(1)
Revising Paragraphs for Development	25	(2)
Writing Coherent Paragraphs	27	(10)
Arranging Details Logically	27	(2)
Using Transitional Words and Phrases	29	(1)
Revising Paragraphs for Coherence	30	(2)
Chapter Review	32	(3)
Review Checklist: Fine-Tuning Your Paragraph	35	(2)
UNIT 2 Patterns of Paragraph Development	37	(64)
Exemplification	39	(6)
Understanding Exemplification	39	(2)
Writing an Exemplification Paragraph	41	(4)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing an Exemplification Paragraph	44	(1)
Narration	45	(6)
Understanding Narration	45	(1)
Writing a Narrative Paragraph	46	(5)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Narrative Paragraph	50	(1)
Description	51	(7)
Understanding Description	51	(2)
Writing a Descriptive Paragraph	53	(5)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Descriptive Paragraph	57	(1)
Process	58	(7)
Understanding Process	58	(2)
Writing a Process Paragraph	60	(5)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Process Paragraph	64	(1)
Cause and Effect	65	(7)
Understanding Cause and Effect	65	(2)
Writing a Cause-and-Effect Paragraph	67	(5)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Cause-and-Effect Paragraph	71	(1)
Comparison and Contrast	72	(8)
Understanding Comparison and Contrast	72	(2)
Writing a Comparison-and-Contrast Paragraph	74	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Comparison-and-Contrast Paragraph	79	(1)
Classification	80	(6)
Understanding Classification	80	(1)
Writing a Classification Paragraph	81	(5)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Classification Paragraph	85	(1)
Definition	86	(7)
Understanding Definition	86	(2)
Writing a Definition Paragraph	88	(5)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Definition Paragraph	92	(1)
Argument	93	(8)
Understanding Argument	93	(2)
Writing an Argument Paragraph	95	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing an Argument Paragraph	99	(2)
UNIT 3 Focus on Essays	101	(94)
Writing an Essay	103	(24)
Understanding Essay Structure	103	(5)
Deciding on a Topic	108	(1)
Using Invention Strategies	109	(2)
Freewriting	109	(1)
Brainstorming	110	(1)
Stating Your Thesis	111	(2)
Arranging Ideas	113	(2)
Drafting Your Essay	115	(3)
Revising and Editing Your Essay	118	(9)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Revising Your Essay	118	(1)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Editing Your Essay	118	(5)
Chapter Review	123	(2)
Review Checklist: Writing an Essay	125	(2)
Introductions and Conclusions	127	(11)
Introductions	127	(5)
Beginning with a Direct Approach	128	(1)
Beginning with a Narrative	128	(1)
Beginning with a Question (or a Series of Questions)	129	(1)
Beginning with a Definition	129	(1)
Beginning with a Background Statement	129	(1)
Beginning with a Quotation	130	(2)
Conclusions	132	(6)
Concluding with a Restatement of Your Thesis	132	(1)
Concluding with a Narrative	133	(1)
Concluding with a Question (or a Series of Questions)	133	(1)
Concluding with a Prediction	134	(1)
Concluding with a Recommendation	134	(1)
Concluding with a Quotation	134	(1)
Chapter Review	135	(2)
Review Checklist: Introductions and Conclusions	137	(1)
Patterns of Essay Development	138	(57)
Exemplification	138	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing an Exemplification Essay	144	(1)
Narration	144	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Narrative Essay	149	(1)
Description	150	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Descriptive Essay	155	(1)
Process	156	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Process Essay	162	(1)
Cause and Effect	162	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Cause-and-Effect Essay	167	(1)
Comparison and Contrast	168	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Comparison-and-Contrast Essay	174	(1)
Classification	174	(6)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Classification Essay	179	(1)
Definition	180	(5)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing a Definition Essay	185	(1)
Argument	185	(10)
Self-Assessment Checklist: Writing an Argument Essay	191	(1)
Review Checklist: Patterns of Essay Development	192	(3)
REVISING AND EDITING YOUR WRITING	195	(1)
UNIT 4 Writing Effective Sentences	195	(76)
Writing Simple Sentences	197	(9)
Identifying Subjects	197	(1)
Identifying Prepositional Phrases	198	(2)
Identifying Verbs	200	(6)
Action Verbs	201	(1)
Linking Verbs	201	(1)
Helping Verbs	202	(2)
Chapter Review	204	(1)
Review Checklist: Writing Simple Sentences	205	(1)
Writing Compound Sentences	206	(12)
Forming Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions	206	(3)
Forming Compound Sentences with Semicolons	209	(2)
Forming Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs	211	(7)
Chapter Review	215	(2)
Review Checklist: Writing Compound Sentences	217	(1)
Writing Complex Sentences	218	(11)
Forming Complex Sentences with Subordinating Conjunctions	218	(4)
Forming Complex Sentences with Relative Pronouns	222	(7)
Chapter Review	226	(1)
Review Checklist: Writing Complex Sentences	227	(2)
Achieving Sentence Variety	229	(17)
Varying Sentence Types	229	(2)
Varying Sentence Openings	231	(3)
Beginning with Adverbs	231	(1)
Beginning with Prepositional Phrases	232	(2)
Combining Sentences	234	(6)
Using Present Participles	234	(1)
Using Past Participles	234	(3)
Using Compound Subjects or Compound Verbs	237	(1)
Using Appositives	238	(2)
Varying Sentence Length	240	(6)
Chapter Review	242	(3)
Review Checklist: Achieving Sentence Variety	245	(1)
Using Parallelism	246	(9)
Recognizing Parallel Structure	246	(2)
Using Parallel Structure	248	(7)
Paired Items	248	(1)
Comparisons Formed with Than or As	248	(1)
Items in a Series	248	(4)
Chapter Review	252	(2)
Review Checklist: Using Parallelism	254	(1)
Using Words Effectively	255	(16)
Choosing Exact Words	255	(3)
Using Concise Language	258	(3)
Avoiding Cliches	261	(2)
Using Similes and Metaphors	263	(2)
Avoiding Sexist Language	265	(6)
Chapter Review
Review Checklist: Using Words Effectively	269	(2)
UNIT 5 Solving Common Sentence Problems	271	(66)
Run-Ons and Comma Splices	273	(9)
Recognizing Run-Ons and Comma Splices	273	(1)
Correcting Run-Ons and Comma Splices	274	(8)
Chapter Review	280	(1)
Review Checklist: Run-Ons and Comma Splices	281	(1)
Sentence Fragments	282	(15)
Recognizing Sentence Fragments	282	(2)
Correcting Phrase Fragments	284	(4)
Appositive Fragments	284	(1)
Prepositional Phrase Fragments	285	(1)
Participial Phrase Fragments	285	(1)
Infinitive Phrase Fragments	286	(2)
Correcting Dependent Clause Fragments	288	(9)
Dependent Clauses Introduced by Subordinating Conjunctions	288	(1)
Dependent Clauses Introduced by Relative Pronouns	288	(6)
Chapter Review	294	(2)
Review Checklist: Sentence Fragments	296	(1)
Subject-Verb Agreement	297	(14)
Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement	297	(3)
Avoiding Agreement Problems with Be, Have, and Do	300	(2)
Avoiding Agreement Problems When Words Come between the Subject and the Verb	302	(2)
Avoiding Agreement Problems with Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects	304	(1)
Avoiding Agreement Problems When the Verb Comes before the Subject	305	(2)
Avoiding Agreement Problems with the Relative Pronouns Who, Which, and That	307	(4)
Chapter Review	308	(2)
Review Checklist: Subject-Verb Agreement	310	(1)
Illogical Shifts	311	(13)
Avoiding illogical Shifts in Tense	311	(2)
Avoiding illogical Shifts in Person	313	(1)
Avoiding illogical Shifts in Number	314	(2)
Avoiding illogical Shifts in Discourse	316	(2)
Avoiding illogical Shifts in Voice	318	(3)
Chapter Review	321	(2)
Review Checklist: illogical Shifts	323	(1)
Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers	324	(13)
Identifying Present Participle Modifiers	324	(2)
Identifying Past Participle Modifiers	326	(2)
Correcting Dangling Modifiers	328	(3)
Correcting Misplaced Modifiers	331	(6)
Chapter Review	334	(1)
Review Checklist: Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers	335	(2)
UNIT 6 Understanding Basic Grammar	337	(82)
Verbs: Past Tense	339	(11)
Understanding Regular Verbs in the Past Tense	339	(2)
Understanding Irregular Verbs in the Past Tense	341	(3)
Problem Verbs in the Past Tense: Be	344	(1)
Problem Verbs in the Past Tense: Can/Could and Will/Would	345	(5)
Can/Could	345	(1)
Will/Would	345	(2)
Chapter Review	347	(2)
Review Checklist: Verbs: Past Tense	349	(1)
Verbs: Past Participles	350	(14)
Identifying Regular Past Participles	350	(2)
Identifying Irregular Past Participles	352	(4)
Using the Present Perfect Tense	356	(2)
Using the Past Perfect Tense	358	(2)
Using Past Participles as Adjectives	360	(4)
Chapter Review	362	(1)
Review Checklist: Verbs: Past Participles	363	(1)
Nouns and Pronouns	364	(24)
Identifying Nouns	364	(1)
Forming Plural Nouns	365	(2)
Identifying Pronouns	367	(2)
Understanding Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement	369	(2)
Solving Special Problems with Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement	371	(6)
Compound Antecedents	371	(1)
Indefinite Pronoun Antecedents	372	(3)
Collective Noun Antecedents	375	(2)
Understanding Pronoun Case	377	(5)
Pronouns in Compounds	379	(1)
Pronouns in Comparisons	379	(1)
The Pronouns Who and Whom	380	(2)
Identifying Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns	382	(6)
Reflexive Pronouns	382	(1)
Intensive Pronouns	383	(1)
Chapter Review	384	(3)
Review Checklist: Nouns and Pronouns	387	(1)
Adjectives and Adverbs	388	(12)
Identifying Adjectives and Adverbs	388	(4)
Understanding Comparatives and Superlatives	392	(8)
Chapter Review	396	(2)
Review Checklist: Adjectives and Adverbs	398	(2)
Grammar and Usage Issues for ESL Writers	400	(19)
Including Subjects in Sentences	400	(1)
Avoiding Special Problems with Subjects	401	(1)
Identifying Plural Nouns	402	(1)
Understanding Count and Noncount Nouns	402	(2)
Using Determiners with Count and Noncount Nouns	404	(1)
Understanding Articles	405	(2)
Definite Articles	405	(1)
Indefinite Articles	406	(1)
No Article	406	(1)
Articles with Proper Nouns	407	(1)
Forming Negative Statements and Questions	407	(2)
Negative Statements	407	(1)
Questions	408	(1)
Indicating Verb Tense	409	(1)
Recognizing Stative Verbs	409	(1)
Placing Adjectives in Order	410	(1)
Choosing Correct Prepositions	411	(1)
Using Prepositions in Familiar Expressions	411	(3)
Using Prepositions in Two-Word Verbs	414	(5)
Chapter Review	415	(2)
Review Checklist: Grammar and Usage Issues for ESL Writers	417	(2)
UNIT 7 Understanding Punctuation, Mechanics, and Spelling	419	(60)
Using Commas	421	(14)
Using Commas in a Series	421	(2)
Using Commas to Set Off Introductory Phrases, Conjunctive Adverbs, and Transitional Expressions	423	(2)
Using Commas with Appositives	425	(2)
Using Commas to Set Off Nonrestrictive Clauses	427	(2)
Using Commas in Dates and Addresses	429	(6)
Chapter Review	432	(2)
Review Checklist: Using Commas	434	(1)
Using Apostrophes	435	(9)
Using Apostrophes to Form Contractions	435	(2)
Using Apostrophes to Form Possessives	437	(2)
Singular Nouns and Indefinite Pronouns	437	(1)
Plural Nouns	437	(2)
Revising Incorrect Use of Apostrophes	439	(5)
Chapter Review	441	(2)
Review Checklist: Using Apostrophes	443	(1)
Understanding Mechanics	444	(14)
Capitalizing Proper Nouns	444	(3)
Punctuating Direct Quotations	447	(4)
Setting Off Titles of Books, Stories, and Other Works	451	(2)
Using Minor Punctuation Marks	453	(5)
The Colon	453	(1)
The Dash	454	(1)
Parentheses	454	(1)
Chapter Review	455	(2)
Review Checklist: Understanding Mechanics	457	(1)
Understanding Spelling	458	(21)
Becoming a Better Speller	458	(2)
Deciding between ie and ei	460	(2)
Understanding Prefixes	462	(1)
Understanding Suffixes	462	(4)
Words Ending in Silent -e	463	(1)
Words Ending in -y	464	(1)
Doubling the Final Consonant	465	(1)
Learning Commonly Confused Words	466	(13)
Chapter Review	476	(2)
Review Checklist: Understanding Spelling	478	(1)
BECOMING A CRITICAL READER	479	(1)
UNIT 8 Reading Essays	479	(70)
Reading Critically	481	(9)
Approaching a Reading Assignment	481	(2)
Highlighting a Reading Assignment	483	(2)
Annotating a Reading Assignment	485	(2)
Outlining a Reading Assignment	487	(1)
Writing a Response Paragraph	488	(2)
Review Checklist: Reading Critically	489	(1)
Readings for Writers	490	(59)
Exemplification	491	(5)
Don't Call Me a Hot Tamale	491	(3)
Judith Ortiz Cofer
The Suspected Shopper	494	(2)
Ellen Goodman
Narration	496	(7)
The Sanctuary of School	497	(3)
Lynda Barry
Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police	500	(3)
Martin Gansberg
Description	503	(5)
Graduation	503	(3)
Maya Angelou
The Grandfather	506	(2)
Gary Soto
Process	508	(5)
Slice of Life	508	(3)
Russell Baker
Indelible Marks	511	(2)
Joyce Howe
Cause and Effect	513	(5)
The ``Black Table'' Is Still There	513	(3)
Lawrence Otis Graham
The Old Block	516	(2)
Anna Quindlen
Comparison and Contrast	518	(7)
How the Lawyers Stole Winter	518	(4)
Christopher B. Daly
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus	522	(3)
John Gray
Classification	525	(7)
Wait Divisions	526	(2)
Tom Bodett
The Men We Carry in Our Minds	528	(4)
Scott Russell Sanders
Definition	532	(6)
Tortillas	532	(3)
Jose Antonio Burciaga
Dyslexia	535	(3)
Eileen Simpson
Argument	538	(11)
In Defense of Talk Shows	539	(2)
Barbara Ehrenreich
The New Prohibitionism	541	(3)
Charles Krauthammer
I Have a Dream	544	(5)
Martin Luther King Jr.
APPENDIX A Writing Paragraphs and Essays for Exams	549	(7)
1 Before the Exam	549	(2)
Attend Every Class	549	(1)
Read Every Assignment	549	(1)
Take Careful Notes	550	(1)
Study on Your Own	550	(1)
Study with a Group	550	(1)
Make an Appointment with Your Instructor	550	(1)
Review the Material One Last Time	550	(1)
2 At the Exam	551	(2)
Read Through the Entire Examination	551	(1)
Budget Your Time	551	(1)
Reread Each Question	551	(1)
Brainstorm to Help Yourself Remember Your Material	552	(1)
Write Down the Main Idea	552	(1)
List Your Main Points	552	(1)
Draft Your Answer	552	(1)
Reread, Revise, and Edit	553	(1)
3 Writing a Paragraph	553	(1)
4 Writing an Essay	553	(3)
APPENDIX B Writing a Research Paper	556	(21)
1 Choosing a Topic	556	(1)
2 Looking for Sources	557	(1)
3 Zeroing In on Your Topic	557	(1)
4 Doing Research	557	(1)
5 Taking Notes	558	(1)
6 Watching Out for Plagiarism	559	(3)
Document Ideas from Your Sources	560	(1)
Place Borrowed Words in Quotation Marks	561	(1)
Use Your Own Phrasing	561	(1)
Distinguish Your Ideas from the Source's Ideas	562	(1)
7 Drafting a Thesis Statement	562	(1)
8 Making an Outline	562	(1)
9 Writing Your Paper	563	(1)
10 Documenting Your Sources	564	(13)
Parenthetical References in the Text	564	(2)
The Works Cited List	566	(4)
Sample Research Paper in MLA Style	570	(7)
Answers to Odd-Numbered Exercises	577	(10)
Index	587