Writing Process, The: A Concise Rhetoric, Reader, and Handbook

by Lannon, John M.

• ISBN13: 9780321355706
• ISBN10: 0321355709
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall

Summary

This writing guide/reader/handbook demystifies writing by presenting the writing process as a series of critical thinking decisions about audience and purpose. Widely admired for its clear, readable style,The Writing Processfocuses on writing as decision-making, with a wealth of student samples in various draft stages and a strong collection of professional readingsessays, fiction, poetry, memoirs, and cartoonsto illustrate writing strategies. Helps readers understand the writing process. Writing process, research process. Anyone who wants to learn to write well.

Table of Contents

Thematic Contents	xxiv
Preface	xxviii
SECTION ONE THE PROCESS---DECISIONS IN PLANNING, DRAFTING, AND REVISING	1	(80)
Introduction	2	(3)
How Writing Looks	2	(2)
How Writing Makes a Difference	4	(1)
Decisions in the Writing Process	5	(14)
Decision Making and the Writing Process	6	(1)
Case Study One Writer's Decision-Making Process	7	(2)
``Life in Full Color'' Shirley Haley (Student)	9	(2)
The Looping Structure of the Writing Process	11	(2)
Decisions in Collaborative Writing	13	(1)
Decisions about Writing with Computers	13	(1)
``Confessions of a Food Addict'' Wendy Gianacoples (Student)	14	(3)
Options for Essay Writing	17
Applications	14	(5)
Decisions in Planning	19	(30)
Deciding on a Topic, Purpose, Thesis, and Audience	20	(1)
Decide on Your Topic	20	(1)
Guidelines for Choosing Your Essay Topic	21	(1)
Decide on Your Purpose	22	(1)
Guidelines for Deciding on Your Writing Purpose	22	(4)
Decide on Your Thesis	23	(3)
Guidelines for Developing Your Thesis	26	(2)
Decide on Your Audience	28	(1)
Guidelines for Analyzing Your Audience	28	(1)
Case Study Analyzing Your Writing Situation	29	(1)
Discovering, Selecting, and Organizing Your Material	30	(1)
Discover Useful Material	30	(2)
Guidelines for Brainstorming	32	(1)
Select Your Best Material	33	(1)
Organize for Readers	33	(1)
Guidelines for Selecting and Organizing Your Material	33	(1)
Case Study Exploring and Arranging Assets	34	(3)
Finding Your Voice	37	(1)
Find a Voice that Connects with Readers	37	(1)
Avoid an Overly Informal Tone	38	(1)
The Writer's Planning Guide	38	(2)
Planning for Group Work	40	(1)
Guidelines for Writing Collaboratively	40	(3)
A Checklist for Planning	43	(1)
Applications	44	(5)
Decisions in Drafting	49	(15)
Drafting the Title and Introduction	50	(2)
The Introductory Paragraph	50	(1)
Placing the Thesis	51	(1)
The Multiple Paragraph Introduction	52	(4)
Selecting an Opening Strategy	53	(3)
Drafting the Body Section	56	(1)
Drafting the Conclusion	56	(2)
Selecting a Closing Strategy	57	(1)
Guidelines for Drafting the Essay	58	(1)
Case Study Drafting the Essay	59	(1)
``Cars R Us'' Maureen Malloy (Student)	59	(1)
A Checklist for Drafting	60	(1)
Drafting on the Computer	61	(1)
Guidelines for Drafting on the Computer	61	(1)
Applications	61	(3)
Decisions in Revising	64	(17)
The Meaning of Revision	65	(1)
A Checklist for Revision	66	(1)
Case Study Revising the Draft	67	(2)
Using the Revision Checklist for Group Work	69	(6)
Guidelines for Reviewing and Editing the Writing of Peers	75	(1)
Revising with Peers	75	(1)
Proofreading Your Final Draft	76	(1)
Guidelines for Proofreading	76	(1)
A Checklist for Proofreading	77	(1)
Applications	77	(4)
SECTION TWO SPECIFIC REVISION STRATEGIES	81	(84)
Introduction	82	(2)
Revising the Content: Writing Something Worthwhile	84	(15)
Make It Credible	85	(2)
Make It Informative	87	(1)
``Walk But Don't Run'' Jeff Leonard (Student)	88	(2)
Make It Complete	90	(1)
``The Death of Benny Paret'' Norman Mailer	91	(2)
Credit Your Information Sources	93	(1)
Guidelines for Revising Your Content	93	(1)
A Checklist for Content	94	(1)
Applications	94	(5)
Revising the Paragraphs: Shaping for Readers' Access	99	(22)
Support Paragraphs as Mini-Essays	100	(1)
Paragraph Function	101	(1)
Paragraph Length	101	(1)
The Topic Statement	102	(2)
The Topic Statement as Readers' Framework	102	(1)
The Topic Statement as Writers' Framework	102	(1)
How Audience and Purpose Determine a Topic Statement's Focus	103	(1)
Structural Variations in Support Paragraphs	104	(1)
Paragraph Unity	105	(1)
Paragraph Coherence	106	(9)
Ordering Ideas for Coherence	107	(4)
Parallelism	111	(1)
Repetition, Restatement, and Variation	112	(1)
Pronouns for Coherence	113	(1)
Consistency for Coherence	113	(1)
Transitions	113	(2)
Guidelines for Shaping Your Support Paragraphs	115	(1)
A Checklist for Support Paragraphs	116	(1)
Applications	117	(4)
Revising the Sentences: Writing with Style	121	(20)
Aim for Clarity	122	(6)
Keep Your Pronoun References Clear	122	(1)
Avoid Ambiguous Modifiers	122	(1)
Avoid Cramming	123	(1)
Keep Equal Items Parallel	124	(1)
Arrange Word Order for Coherence and Emphasis	124	(1)
Use Active Voice Often	125	(1)
Use Passive Voice Selectively	126	(2)
Trim the Fat	128	(6)
Avoid Wordy Phrases	128	(1)
Eliminate Redundancy	128	(1)
Avoid Needless Repetition	129	(1)
Avoid There and It Sentence Openers	129	(1)
Avoid Needless Phrases	129	(1)
Avoid Weak Verbs	130	(1)
Avoid Excessive Prepositions	130	(1)
Avoid Nominalizations	130	(1)
Make Negatives Positive	131	(1)
Clear Out Clutter Words	132	(1)
Delete Needless Prefaces	132	(1)
Delete Needless Qualifiers	133	(1)
Help Sentences Flow	134	(3)
Combine Related Ideas	135	(1)
Vary Sentence Construction and Length	136	(1)
Use Short Sentences for Special Emphasis	136	(1)
A Checklist for Sentence Style	137	(1)
Applications	138	(3)
Revising the Words and Phrases: Fine-Tuning	141	(24)
Say Something Genuine	142	(1)
Avoid Triteness	142	(1)
Avoid Overstatement	142	(1)
Avoid Misleading Euphemisms	142	(1)
Aim for Precision	143	(4)
Sharpen the Visual Details	147	(2)
Add Personality	149	(2)
Establish an Appropriate Distance	150	(1)
Guidelines for Deciding about Tone	151	(1)
Guidelines for Achieving a Conversational Tone	151	(4)
Express a Clear and Appropriate Attitude	154	(1)
Avoid Personal Bias	154	(1)
Invite Everyone In	155	(1)
Avoid Sexist Language	155	(1)
Guidelines for Nonsexist Usage	156	(2)
Avoid Offensive Usage of All Types	156	(1)
Consider the Cultural Context	157	(1)
Guidelines for Inoffensive Usage	158	(1)
A Checklist for Word Choice and Tone	159	(2)
Legal and Ethical Implications of Word Choice	161	(1)
Using Automated Editing Tools Effectively	162
Applications	159	(6)
SECTION THREE ESSAYS FOR VARIOUS GOALS	165	(184)
Introduction	166	(4)
Three Major Goals of Writing	166	(2)
Major Development Strategies	168	(1)
Using This Section	168	(1)
A Word about Structural Variations	168	(2)
Decisions About Reading for Writing	170	(14)
Different Levels of Reading	171	(1)
Different Readers, Different Meanings	172	(1)
Reading Strategies for Writers	172	(1)
Case Study One Writer's Response to Reading	173	(1)
``Why I Want a Wife'' Judy Brady	173	(4)
``A Long Way to Go'' Jacqueline LeBlanc (Student)	177	(1)
Case Study A Second Writer's Response to Reading	178	(1)
``Seeing'' Annie Dillard	178	(2)
``Sailboats'' Shirley Haley (Student)	180	(1)
Suggestions for Reading and Writing	181	(1)
Guidelines for Reading to Respond	181	(1)
Applications	182	(2)
Helping Others See: Description	184	(10)
The Language of Description	185	(1)
Using Objective Description to Inform	185	(1)
Using Subjective Description to Make a Point	186	(2)
Guidelines for Description	188	(1)
``Heaven and Earth in Jest'' Annie Dillard	189	(2)
Case Study Responding to Reading	191	(1)
``Off-Season'' Pam Herbert (Student)	191	(1)
A Checklist for Description	192	(1)
Options for Essay Writing	193
Applications	189	(5)
Helping Others Share an Experience: Narration	194	(16)
Using Objective Narration to Explain	195	(1)
Using Subjective Narration to Make a Point	196	(2)
``Black Men and Public Space'' Brent Staples	198	(3)
Guidelines for Narration	201	(1)
``Back at the Ranch'' Jay Allison	202	(3)
Case Study Responding to Reading	205	(1)
``The Old Guy'' Al Andrade (Student)	205	(2)
A Checklist for Narration	207	(1)
Options for Essay Writing	208
Applications	207	(3)
Providing Examples: Illustration	210	(11)
Using Examples to Explain	211	(1)
Using Examples to Make a Point	212	(2)
Guidelines for Illustrating with Examples	214	(1)
``A Case of `Severe Bias''' Patricia Raybon	215	(3)
Case Study Responding to Reading	218	(1)
``My Time Capsule'' Gina Ciolfi (Student)	218	(1)
A Checklist for Using Illustration	219	(1)
Options for Essay Writing	220	(1)
Applications	220	(1)
Explaining Parts and Categories: Division and Classification	221	(13)
Using Division to Explain	223	(1)
Using Division to Make a Point	223	(2)
Guidelines for Division	225
Using Classification to Explain	224	(1)
Using Classification to Make a Point	225	(1)
Guidelines for Classification	226	(2)
``Doubts about Doublespeak'' William Lutz	228	(3)
Case Study Responding to Reading	231	(1)
``We Like It Here'' Patrick LaChane (Student)	231	(1)
A Checklist for Division and Classification	232	(1)
Options for Essay Writing	233
Applications	226	(8)
Explaining Steps and Stages: Process Analysis	234	(15)
Using Process Analysis to Explain	235	(1)
Explaining How to Do Something	235	(1)
Guidelines for Giving Instructions	236	(1)
Explaining How Something Happens	237	(1)
Using Process Analysis to Make a Point	237	(1)
``How to Deal with Snakebites'' Frank White	238	(3)
Case Study Responding to Reading	241	(1)
``A First-Week Survival Guide for Commuters'' Catherine Nichols (Student)	241	(2)
A Checklist for Giving Instructions	243	(1)
``How Acid Rain Develops, Spreads, and Destroys'' Bill Kelly (Student)	243	(3)
``Dumpster Diving'' Lars Eighner	246
Applications	243	(6)
Explaining Why it Happened or What Will Happen: Cause-and-Effect Analysis	249	(18)
Using Causal Analysis to Explain: Definite Causes	251	(1)
Using Causal Analysis to Make a Point: Possible or Probable Causes	252	(1)
Reasoning from Effect to Cause	253	(1)
Guidelines for Effect-to-Cause Analysis	253	(1)
Reasoning from Cause to Effect	254	(1)
Guidelines for Cause-to-Effect Analysis	254	(2)
``I Don't Like What You're Wearing'' David Updike	256	(3)
``Should Schools Try to Boost Self-Esteem?---Beware the Dark Side'' Roy F. Baumeister	259	(4)
Case Study Responding to Reading	263	(1)
``School Uniforms: A Recipe for School Reform'' John Saurette (Student)	263	(2)
A Checklist for Causal Analysis	265	(1)
Options for Essay Writing	266
Applications	259	(8)
Explaining Similarities or Differences: Comparison and Contrast	267	(14)
Developing a Comparison	268	(1)
Developing a Contrast	268	(1)
Developing a Combined Comparison and Contrast	269	(1)
Using Comparison and Contrast to Explain	270	(1)
Using Comparison and Contrast to Make a Point	270	(1)
A Special Kind of Comparison: Analogy	271	(2)
Guidelines for Comparison and Contrast	273	(2)
``Abortion Is Too Complex to Feel All One Way About'' Anna Quindlen	275	(3)
Case Study Responding to Reading	278	(1)
``Is Online Education Taking Us Anywhere?'' John Manning (Student)	278	(2)
A Checklist for Comparison and Contrast	280	(1)
Options for Essay Writing	280
Applications	274	(7)
Explaining the Exact Meaning: Definition	281	(16)
Using Denotative Definitions to Explain	282	(1)
Using Connotative Definitions to Make a Point	283	(1)
Choosing the Level of Detail in a Definition	284	(2)
Parenthetical Definition	284	(1)
Sentence Definition	285	(1)
Expanded Definition	286	(1)
Guidelines for Definition	286	(5)
``Gossip'' Francine Prose	291	(3)
Case Study Responding to Reading	294	(1)
``Community Service Serves Everyone'' Kerry Donahue (Student)	294	(2)
A Checklist for Definition	296	(1)
Options for Essay Writing	296
Applications	289	(8)
Using Multiple Strategies in a Persuasive Argument	297	(28)
Anticipating Audience Resistance	298	(1)
Having a Debatable Point	299	(1)
Supporting Your Claim	300	(3)
Offer Convincing Reasons	301	(1)
Provide Objective Evidence	301	(1)
Appeal to Shared Goals and Values	302	(1)
Shaping a Clear Line of Thought	303	(1)
Connecting with Your Audience	303	(2)
Guidelines for Persuasion	305	(1)
Various Arguments for Various Goals	306	(1)
Arguing to Influence People's Opinions	306	(1)
Arguing to Enlist People's Support	306	(1)
Presenting a Proposal	306	(1)
Arguing to Change People's Behavior	307	(1)
``On Reading Trash'' Bob Swift	307
Case Studies Responding to Reading	310, 315	(310)
``Credit Cards: Leave Home Without Them'' Julia Schoonover (Student)	310	(2)
``Standards You Meet and Don't Duck'' William Raspberry	312	(3)
``Save Liberal Arts'' Suzanne Gilbertson (Student)	315	(3)
``A Proposal for Better Use of the Television Set in the Campus Center'' Patricia Haith (Student)	318	(2)
``Letter to the Boss'' Marcia White (Student)	320	(1)
A Checklist for Persuasion	321	(1)
Options for Essay Writing	321	(1)
Applications	322	(3)
Special Issues in Persuasion	325	(24)
Appealing to Reason	325	(7)
Using Induction	327	(2)
Using Deduction	329	(3)
Recognizing Invalid or Deceptive Reasoning	332	(5)
Fallacies That Break the Chain of Logic	332	(3)
Fallacies That Evade the Issue	335	(2)
Considering the Ethical Dimension	337	(1)
Checklist for Ethics in Persuasive Writing	337	(1)
Appealing to Emotion	338	(1)
Guidelines for Making Emotional Appeals	338	(3)
Showing Empathy	338	(1)
Acknowledging Opposing Views	339	(1)
Maintaining a Moderate Tone	340	(1)
Using Satire in Appropriate Circumstances	341	(1)
``Bonfire'' Adam Szymkowicz (Student)	341	(2)
Adding Humor Where Appropriate	342	(1)
A Checklist for Persuasive Appeals	343	(1)
Applications	343	(6)
SECTION FOUR THE RESEARCH PROCESS	349	(144)
Introduction	350	(2)
Thinking Critically About the Research Process	352	(9)
Asking the Right Questions	353	(1)
Exploring a Balance of Views	353	(2)
Achieving Adequate Depth in Your Search	355	(1)
Evaluating Your Findings	356	(1)
Guidelines for Evaluating Expert Opinion	357	(1)
Interpreting Your Findings	357	(1)
Applications	358	(3)
Asking Questions and Finding Answers	361	(25)
Deciding on a Research Topic	362	(1)
Guidelines for Choosing a Research Topic	362	(1)
Primary versus Secondary Sources	363	(1)
Hard Copy versus Electronic Sources	363	(1)
Exploring Internet Sources	364	(2)
Online News and Magazines	364	(1)
Government Sites	364	(1)
Community Discussion Groups and Bulletin Boards	365	(1)
Blogs and Wikis	365	(1)
Email Lists	365	(1)
Library Chatrooms	366	(1)
Library Databases Searchable via the Internet	366	(1)
Other Types of Web Sites	367
Guidelines for Researching on the Internet	366	(2)
Exploring Other Electronic Sources	368	(1)
Compact Disks	368	(1)
Online Retrieval Services	368	(1)
Electronic Reference Books, Indexes, and Journals	368	(1)
Using Electronic Mail and Instant Messaging	369	(1)
Email	369	(1)
Instant Messaging	370	(1)
Guidelines for Using Electronic Mail	370	(1)
Exploring Hard Copy Sources	371	(5)
Reference Works	372	(1)
Card Catalog	373	(1)
Guides to Literature	373	(1)
Indexes	374	(1)
Abstracts	375	(1)
Access Tools for U.S. Government Publications	375	(1)
Microforms	376	(1)
Informative Interviews	376	(1)
Guidelines for Informative Interviews	377	(2)
Surveys and Questionnaires	379	(1)
Inquiry Letters, Phone Calls, and Email Inquiries	379	(1)
Public Records and Organizational Publications	379	(1)
Personal Observation	380	(2)
Guidelines for Developing a Questionnaire	382
Applications	380	(6)
Recording, Evaluating, and Interpreting Your Findings	386	(24)
Taking Notes	387	(1)
Guidelines for Recording Research Findings	387	(1)
Quoting the Work of Others	388	(1)
Guidelines for Quoting the Work of Others	388	(2)
Paraphrasing the Work of Others	390	(1)
Guidelines for Paraphrasing the Work of Others	391	(1)
Preparing Summaries and Abstracts	391	(1)
What Readers Expect from a Summary or Abstract	392	(1)
Guidelines for Summarizing Information and Preparing an Abstract	392	(2)
Ethical Considerations in Summarizing Information	393	(1)
Evaluating the Sources	394	(2)
Guidelines for Evaluating Sources on the Web	396	(1)
Evaluating the Evidence	397	(1)
Interpreting Your Findings	398	(2)
Identify Your Level of Certainty	398	(1)
Be Alert for Personal Bias	399	(1)
Examine the Underlying Assumptions	400	(1)
Avoiding Statistical Fallacies	400	(4)
Common Statistical Fallacies	401	(3)
Guidelines for Critically Analyzing Information	404	(1)
Assessing Your Inquiry	405	(1)
A Checklist for the Research Process	406	(1)
Applications	406	(4)
Documenting Your Sources	410	(27)
Why You Should Document	410	(1)
What You Should Document	411	(1)
How You Should Document	411	(1)
MLA Documentation Style	412	(13)
MLA Parenthetical References	412	(1)
MLA Works-Cited Entries	413	(11)
MLA Sample List of Works Cited	424	(1)
APA Documentation Style	425	(10)
APA Parenthetical References	425	(1)
APA Reference-List Entries	426	(9)
APA Sample List of References	435	(1)
Applications	435	(2)
Composing the Research Report	437	(21)
Developing a Working Thesis and Outline	437	(1)
Drafting Your Report	438	(1)
Revising Your Report	439	(1)
A Checklist for a Research Report	440	(1)
A Sample Report in APA Style	440	(1)
``Campus Crime: A Hidden Issue'' Julia Schoonover (Student)	441	(17)
Case Study: A Sample Research Project	458	(35)
Discovering a Worthwhile Topic	458	(1)
Focusing the Inquiry	459	(1)
Searching the Literature	460	(1)
Recording and Reviewing Findings	460	(1)
Settling on a Thesis	461	(1)
Writing and Documenting the Report in MLA Style	462	(1)
``Students Under Stress: College Can Make You Sick'' Shirley Haley (Student)	463	(30)
SECTION FIVE ADDITIONAL READINGS AND MODELS FOR WRITING	493	(30)
Description and Narration	494	(3)
``On the Ball'' Roger Angell	494	(1)
``The Bed'' Frank McCourt	495	(2)
Illustration	497	(3)
``No Zeal for New Zealand'' Jaclyn Thomas	497	(1)
``All You Can Eat'' Michelle Stacey	498	(2)
Division and Classification	500	(4)
``All Junk, All the Time'' Richard Brookhiser	500	(1)
``The Dog Ate My Disk, and Other Tales of Woe'' Carolyn Foster Segal	501	(3)
Process Analysis	504	(3)
``How to Write a Personal Letter'' Garrison Keillor	504	(1)
``How Boys Become Men'' Jon Katz	505	(2)
Cause-and-Effect Analysis	507	(4)
``Why We Crave Horror Movies'' Stephen King	507	(2)
``I Just Wanna Be Average'' Mike Rose	509	(2)
Comparison and Contrast	511	(5)
``Parallel Worlds: The Surprising Similarities (and Differences) of Country-and-Western and Rap'' Denise Noe	511	(4)
``Americanization Is Tough on `Macho''' Rose del Castillo Guilbault	515	(1)
Definition	516	(3)
``The Company Man'' Ellen Goodman	516	(1)
``Who's a Hillbilly?'' Rebecca Thomas Kirkendall	517	(2)
Argument	519	(4)
``Let Teenagers Try Adulthood'' Leon Botstein	519	(2)
``Debunking Myths about Latinos'' Ruben Navarrette, Jr.	521	(2)
SECTION SIX A BRIEF HANDBOOK	523	(32)
Common Sentence Errors	524	(14)
Sentence Fragment	524	(2)
Acceptable Fragment	526	(1)
Faulty Coordination	527	(1)
Faulty Subordination	527	(2)
Comma Splice	529	(1)
Run-on Sentence	530	(1)
Faulty Agreement---Subject and Verb	531	(1)
Faulty Agreement---Pronoun and Referent	532	(1)
Faulty Modification	533	(2)
Faulty Pronoun Case	535	(2)
Sentence Shifts	537	(1)
Effective Punctuation	538	(13)
End Punctuation	539	(1)
Semicolon	540	(1)
Colon	541	(1)
Comma	542	(4)
Apostrophe	546	(2)
Quotation Marks	548	(1)
Ellipses	549	(1)
Italics	549	(1)
Parentheses	550	(1)
Brackets	550	(1)
Dashes	551	(1)
Effective Mechanics	551	(3)
Abbreviation	551	(1)
Hyphenation	552	(1)
Capitalization	553	(1)
Use of Numbers	553	(1)
Spelling	554	(1)
Applications	554	(1)
Appendix A FORMAT GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT	555	(3)
Format Guidelines for Submitting Your Manuscript	556	(1)
A Checklist for Format	557	(1)
Appendix B USEFUL WEB SITES AND ELECTRONIC LIBRARY RESOURCES	558	(5)
Useful Web Sites	558	(3)
Search Engines	558	(1)
Subject Directories (or Catalogs)	559	(1)
Almanacs	559	(1)
Associations and Organizations	560	(1)
Business Directories	560	(1)
Dictionaries	560	(1)
Encyclopedias	560	(1)
Journal Articles	560	(1)
New Organizations	560	(1)
U.S. Government Information	561	(1)
Writing and Research Guides	561	(1)
Electronic Library Resources	561	(2)
Credits	563	(3)
Index	566