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Brief Guide to Writing from Readings, A, 4/E
Stephen W. Wilhoit, The University of Dayton

ISBN-10: 0321435087
ISBN-13: 9780321435088

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 2007
Format: Paper; 304 pp
Published: 07/14/2006

Suggested retail price: $56.00
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This brief guide teaches students how to write the most common papers assigned in college courses: source-based essays that summarize, analyze, critique, and synthesize.

 

Comprehensive enough to serve as a primary text yet compact enough to serve as a supplement, this clear and concise writing guide teaches students how to critically read, clearly summarize, carefully respond to, precisely critique, creatively synthesize, and accurately quote or paraphrase texts. A Brief Guide is a valuable teaching and reference tool that students of many disciplines find useful for class work and for independent study.

  • Chapter 1 teaches the skills students need to be critical readers, asking them to consider every text’s author, purpose, audience, organization, and sources as well as suggesting strategies for annotating texts and note-taking.
  • Extensive instruction in MLA, APA, and CSE documentation styles in Chapters 12 and 13 includes many sample reference citations and thorough coverage of online sources.
  • Argument coverage that includes the classical appeals and Toulmin in Chapter 10 helps students increase the effectiveness of their syntheses.
  • Seven Revision Checklists in the appendix offer students concrete tasks to perform when quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing, responding, critiquing, synthesizing, and avoiding plagiarism in order to help them check their work for accuracy and originality.
  • Readings that model writing strategies address high-interest topics such as affirmative action in college admissions and teenage suicide.
  • Chapter 14 breaks down timed, in-class writing assignments across the curriculum into manageable tasks students can work through successfully.
  • Chapter 2 demonstrates how journal writing can be an effective way of getting started on writing projects in different course areas.

  • A new distinct chapter on Argument Synthesis (Ch 10) expands coverage of pathos, logos, ethos, and claims, grounds, warrants.
  • A new chapter on Rhetorical Analysis (Ch 8) reinforces the rhetorical concepts introduced in Chapter 1, habituates students to reading and writing rhetorically, and features Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address.
  • A clarified and expanded Response Essay chapter includes suggestions for writing thesis statements (“openings”) and concluding paragraphs (“closings”) as well as providing an additional sample essay.
  • Two new Appendices offer Effective Peer Review Guidelines and Effective Revision Practices in the clear, brief action steps for which A Brief Guide is well-known.



Preface.


1. Critical Reading.

Definition and Purpose.

Asking Questions about What You Read.

Marking Texts.

Sample Annotated Reading: “Hard Choices” by Patrick Moore.

Note-Taking.

Additional Reading: “Getting Serious about Eradicating Binge Drinking” by Henry Wechsler.

Summary Chart-Critical Reading: Asking Questions.

Summary Chart-Critical Reading: Marking Texts.

Summary Chart-Critical Reading: Note Taking.



2. Journals.

Definition.

Purpose.

Types of Entries.

Language and Format.

Final Considerations.



3. Quotation.

Definition and Purpose.

Guidelines on When to Quote Material.

Guidelines on When Not to Quote Material.

Integrating Quotations into Your Writing.

Reading: “Missing Link.”

Altering Quoted Material and Avoiding Misquotations.

Summary Chart: Guidelines on Quotations.

Summary Chart: Integrating Quotations into Your Writing.



4. Paraphrase.

Definition and Purpose.

Qualities of a Good Paraphrase.

How to Paraphrase Material.

Documentation.

Summary Chart: How to Write a Paraphrase.

Summary Chart: Qualities of a Good Paraphrase.



5. Summary.

Definition and Purpose.

Types of Summaries.

Qualities of a Good Summary.

How to Summarize a Text.

Documentation.

Sample Summaries.

Reading: “AIDS and Population `Control'” by Gerard Piel.

Sample Informative Summary.

Sample Explanatory Summary.

Summary Chart: How to Write a Summary.



6. Response Essays.

Definition and Purpose.

Qualities of a Good Response Essay.

Writing the Response Essay.

Sample Response Essay: A Response to “AIDS and Population ‘Control’.”

Summary Chart: How to Write a Response Essay.



7. Critique.

Definition and Purpose.

The Film Review as Critique.

Writing a Critique.

Reading: “Clear Message to Teens: `It's OK to Have Sex'” by Joan Beck.

Sample Critique: “Beck's Essay Not Convincing.”

Additional Reading: “Condom Availability Promotes Health, Saves Lives” by Margaret Pruitt Clark.

Additional Reading: “Apply Peer Pressure, Not Latex, Against Casual Sex” by Edwin J. Delattre.

Summary Chart: Writing a Critique.


 

8. Rhetorical Analysis.

    Definition and Purpose.

    The Rhetorical Situation.

    Rhetorical Strategies.

    Analyzing a Text's Rhetorical Strategies-An Example.

    Writing a Rhetorical Analysis Essay.

    Sample Rhetorical Analysis Essay.

    Summary Chart: Writing a Rhetorical Analysis Essay.

 


9. Informative Synthesis.

Definition and Purpose.

Types of Synthesis Essays.

Reading: “The Fool on the Hill” by Brian D. Johnson.

Reading: “Forrest Gump” by David Ansen.

Reading: “Forrest Gump” by Peter Travers.

Informative Synthesis.

Sample Informative Synthesis Essay.
Summary Chart: Informative Synthesis.
 
 

10. Argumentative Synthesis.

     Definition.

      The Elements of Argument.

      Argument and Persuasion.

      Writing an Argumentative Synthesis Essay.

      Sample Argumentative Synthesis (Focusing on the Quality of the Readings).

      Sample Argumentative Synthesis (Focusing on the Topic of the Readings).

      Additional Reading: "College Prep: Adapting to College Life in an Era of Heightened Stress" by Glenn C. Altschuler.

      Additional Reading: "More in College Seek Help for Psychological Problems" by Erica Goode.

      Additional Reading: "Complex Set of Ills Spurs Rising Teen Suicide Rate" by Jessica Portner.

      Additional Reading: "Suicide and Depression Among College Students: A Decade Later" by Susan R. Furr, John S. Westefeld, Gaye N. McConnell, and J. Marshall Jenkins.

      Summary Chart: Writing an Argumentative Synthesis Essay.

 

 

11. Plagiarism.

Definition.

Forms of Plagiarism.

How to Avoid Plagiarism.

Summary Chart: Plagiarism.

 

12. Documentation.

Definition and Purpose.

Types of Documentation.

Primary Academic Style Manuals.

APA Guidelines.

CSE Guidelines.

MLA Guidelines.



13. Reference Lists and Works Cited Entries.

Definition and Purpose.

APA Format.

CSE Format.

MLA Format.



14. Timed Writing Assignments.

Definition.

A Range of Timed Writing Assignments, Purposes, and Conditions.

Qualities of a Good Timed Essay.

Writing Timed Assignments.

Final Thoughts.

Summary Chart: How to Write Timed Essays.



Appendix 1.

   Revision Checklists 

Appendix 2.

    Peer Review Guidelines.

 

Appendix 3.

    Revision Guidelines.


Index.


Credits.

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