Writing for Life: Sentences and Paragraphs

Brief Table of ContentsPART 1. GETTING READY TO WRITE1. Prepare to Learn about Writing 2. Thinking through the Writing ProcessPART 2. WRITING PARAGRAPHS 3. Understanding the Paragraph4. Using Thought Patterns to Develop ParagraphsPART 3. HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY 5. Understanding the Essay 6. Effective Introductions, Conclusions, and Titles 7. Writing with SUCCESS for an Essay ExamPART 4. THE BASIC SENTENCE8. Subjects, Verbs, and the Simple Sentence 9. Compound and Complex Sentences PART 5. WRITING CLEAR SENTENCES10. Sentence Variety11. Sentence Clarity12. ParallelismPART 6. RECOGNIZING AND AVOIDING ERRORS13. Run-ons: Comma Splices and Fused Sentences14. Fragments15. Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers16. Subject-Verb Agreement17. The Past Tense of Verbs18. The Past Participle19. Nouns and Pronouns20. Adjectives and AdverbsPART 7. PUNCTUATION AND MECHANICS21. The Comma22. The Apostrophe23. Quotation Marks24. End Punctuation: Period, Question Mark, Exclamation Point25. CapitalizationPART 8. UNDERSTANDING EXPRESSION26. Revising for Effective Expression27. Improving Your Spelling28. Mastering Often Confused Words29. Dialects and Standard EnglishPART 9. READING SELECTIONSAppendixIndex Detailed Table of ContentsPART 1. GETTING READY TO WRITE1. Prepare to Learn about Writing What’s the Point of Preparing to Learn about Writing?Making a Point about Preparing to Learn about Writing: One Student Writer’s ResponsePreparing Yourself to Learn about WritingThe Attitude of LearningCreate a Study PlanLearning Outcomes for Student WritersUsing Learning Outcomes to Improve Your WritingCreate a Portfolio of Your WorkAcademic Learning Log2. Thinking through the Writing ProcessWhat’s the Point of the Writing Process?Making a Point about the Writing Process: One Student Writer’s ResponseUnderstanding the Point: Assessing the Writing SituationThe Topic: What You WriteThe Purpose: Why You WriteThe Audience: Who Reads Your WritingUnderstanding the Point: Using the Writing ProcessPrewritingDraftingRevisingProofreadingAcademic Learning LogPART 2. WRITING PARAGRAPHS 3. Understanding the ParagraphWhat’s the Point of a Paragraph?Three Levels of Information in a ParagraphThe Parts of a ParagraphDeveloping Your Point Using a ParagraphThe Point: The Main IdeaLogical OrderRelevant and Adequate DetailsEffective ExpressionAnalyzing the Effectiveness of a ParagraphScoring Guide for a Paragraph4. Using Thought Patterns to Develop ParagraphsWhat’s the Point of Using Patterns of Organization to Develop Paragraphs?The Descriptive ParagraphWhat’s the Point of Description?Making a Point Using Description: One Student Writer’s ResponseWriting AssignmentsConsidering Audience and PurposeWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeWorkshop: Description Graphic Organizer and Writer’s JournalThe Narrative ParagraphWhat’s the Point of Narration?Making a Point Using Narration: One Student Writer’s ResponseWriting AssignmentsConsidering Audience and PurposeWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeWorkshop: Narrative Graphic Organizer and Writer’s JournalThe Process ParagraphWhat’s the Point of Process?Making a Point Using Process: One Student Writer’s ResponseWriting AssignmentsConsidering Audience and PurposeWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeWorkshop: Process Graphic Organizer and Writer’s JournalThe Example ParagraphWhat’s the Point of Example?Making a Point Using Example: One Student Writer’s ResponseWriting AssignmentsConsidering Audience and PurposeWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeWorkshop: Example Graphic Organizer and Writer’s JournalThe Classification ParagraphWhat’s the Point of Classification?Making a Point Using Classification: One Student Writer’s ResponseWriting AssignmentsConsidering Audience and PurposeWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeWorkshop: Classification Graphic Organizer and Writer’s JournalThe Comparison and Contrast ParagraphWhat’s the Point of Comparison and Contrast?Making a Point Using Comparison and Contrast: One Student Writer’s ResponseWriting AssignmentsConsidering Audience and PurposeWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeWorkshop: Comparison and Contrast Graphic Organizer and Writer’s JournalThe Definition ParagraphWhat’s the Point of Definition?Making a Point Using Definition: One Student Writer’s ResponseWriting AssignmentsConsidering Audience and PurposeWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeWorkshop: Definition Graphic Organizer and Writer’s JournalThe Cause and Effect ParagraphWhat’s the Point of Cause and Effect?Making a Point Using Cause and Effect: One Student Writer’s ResponseWriting AssignmentsConsidering Audience and PurposeWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeWorkshop: Cause and Effect Graphic Organizer and Writer’s JournalThe Persuasive ParagraphWhat’s the Point of Persuasion?Making a Point Using Persuasion: One Student Writer’s ResponseWriting AssignmentsConsidering Audience and PurposeWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeWorkshop: Persuasion Graphic Organizer and Writer’s JournalPART 3. HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY 5. Understanding the Essay What’s the Point of an Essay?The Parts of an EssayThe Levels of Information in an EssayMaking a Point Using an Essay: One Student Writer’s ResponseDeveloping Your Point: Writing an Essay Step by StepPrewritingOrganize Supporting Details: Use Logical OrderOrganize Supporting Details: Connect ParagraphsWrite a Draft of Your EssayRevise Your Essay DraftProofreading Your EssayAcademic Learning LogWriting Assignments for an EssayConsidering Audience and PurposeWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working Life6. Effective Introductions, Conclusions, and Titles What’s the Point of Effective Titles, Introductions, and Conclusions?Making a Point Using Effective Titles, Introductions, and Conclusions: OneStudent Writer’s ResponseDeveloping Your Point Using Effective Titles, Introductions, and ConclusionsEffective TitlesEffective IntroductionsEffective ConclusionsWriting AssignmentsConsidering Audience and PurposeWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log7. Writing with SUCCESS for an Essay ExamWhat’s the Point of SUCCESS?Using SUCCESS during an Essay ExamSurvey the examUnderstand grading point valuesControl your timeCreate an answer planExpress a main ideaSupport ideas thoroughly and clearlySkim to editWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning LogPART 4. THE BASIC SENTENCE8. Subjects, Verbs, and the Simple Sentence What’s the Point of Subjects, Verbs, and Simple Sentences?Understanding the Point of Subjects, Verbs, and Simple Sentences: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Subjects, Verbs, and Simple SentencesSubjectsVerbsThe Simple SentenceLocating Subjects and Verbs to IdentifyComplete ThoughtsWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log9. Compound and Complex Sentences What’s the Point of Compound and Complex Sentences?Understanding the Point of Compound and Complex Sentences: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Compound and Complex SentencesA Compound SentenceA Complex SentenceWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning LogPART 5. WRITING CLEAR SENTENCES10. Sentence VarietyWhat’s the Point of Sentence Variety?Understanding the Point of Sentence Variety: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Sentence VarietyVary Sentence PurposeVary Sentence TypesVary Sentence OpeningsWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log11. Sentence ClarityWhat’s the Point of Sentence Clarity?Understanding the Point of Sentence Clarity: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Sentence ClarityUse Consistent Person and Point of ViewUse Consistent NumberUse Consistent TenseWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log12. ParallelismWhat’s the Point of Parallelism?Understanding the Point of Parallelism: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: ParallelismParallel WordsParallel PhrasesParallel PhrasesParallel ClausesPunctuation for ParallelismWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning LogPART 6. RECOGNIZING AND AVOIDING ERRORS13. Run-ons: Comma Splices and Fused SentencesWhat’s the Point of Correcting Run-ons–Comma Splices and Fused Sentences?Understanding the Point of Correcting Run-ons–Comma Splices and FusedSentences: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Correcting Run-ons–Comma Splices and Fused SentencesComma SpliceFused SentenceFive Ways to Correct Comma Splices and Fused SentencesWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log14. FragmentsWhat’s the Point of Correcting Fragments?Understanding the Point of Correcting Fragments: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Correcting FragmentsTypes of FragmentsWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log15. Dangling and Misplaced ModifiersWhat’s the Point of Correcting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers?Understanding the Point of Correcting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Correcting Misplaced and Dangling ModifiersMisplaced ModifiersDangling ModifiersWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log16. Subject-Verb AgreementWhat’s the Point of Subject-Verb Agreement?Understanding the Point of Subject-Verb Agreement: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Subject-Verb AgreementKey Verbs in the Present Tense: To Have, To Do, To BeSubjects Separated from VerbsSingular or Plural SubjectsWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log17. The Past Tense of VerbsWhat’s the Point of the Past Tense of Verbs?Understanding the Point of the Past Tense of Verbs: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: The Past Tense of VerbsRegular Verbs in the Past TenseIrregular Verbs in the Past TenseKey Verbs in the Past Tense: To Have, To Do, To BeCan/Could/WouldWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log18. The Past ParticipleWhat’s the Point of the Past Participle?Understanding the Point of the Past Participle: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: The Past ParticiplePast Participles of Regular VerbsPast Participles of Irregular VerbsUsing the Present Perfect TenseUsing the Past Perfect TenseUsing the Passive Voice(To Be and the Past Participle)Using the Past Participle as an AdjectiveWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log19. Nouns and PronounsWhat’s the Point of Learning About Nouns and Pronouns?Understanding the Point of Learning About Nouns and Pronouns: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: NounsCount and Noncount NounsArticles and NounsApplying the Point: PronounsHow to Make Pronouns and Antecedents AgreeHow to Correct Faulty Pronoun AgreementHow to Use Pronoun Case ClearlyHow to Make Clear Pronoun ReferencesHow to Correct Faulty Pronoun ReferencesWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log20. Adjectives and AdverbsWhat’s the Point of Learning About Adjectives and Adverbs?Understanding the Point of LearningAbout Adjectives and Adverbs: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Adjectives and AdverbsParticiples as AdjectivesNouns and Verbs Formed as AdjectivesPlacement of AdjectivesOrder of AdjectivesAdverbsWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning LogPART 7. PUNCTUATION AND MECHANICS21. The CommaWhat’s the Point of Commas?Understanding the Point of Commas: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: CommasCommas with Items in a SeriesCommas with Introductory ElementsCommas to Join Independent ClausesCorrect Use of a Comma to Join Independent ClausesCommas with Parenthetical IdeasCommas with Nonessential ClausesCommas with Dates and AddressesOther Uses of the CommaWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log22. The ApostropheWhat’s the Point of the Apostrophe?Understanding the Point of the Apostrophe: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: The ApostropheThe Apostrophe for OwnershipThe Apostrophe for ContractionsCommon Misuses of the ApostropheWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log23. Quotation MarksWhat’s the Point of Quotation Marks?Understanding the Point of Quotation Marks: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Quotation MarksFormatting and Punctuating Direct QuotationsFormatting and Punctuating DialogueDirect and Indirect QuotationsTitlesWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log24. End Punctuation: Period, Question Mark, Exclamation PointWhat’s the Point of End Punctuation?Understanding the Point of End Punctuation: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: End PunctuationThe PeriodThe Question MarkThe Exclamation PointWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log25. CapitalizationWhat’s the Point of Capitalization?Understanding the Point of Capitalization: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: CapitalizationWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning LogPART 8. UNDERSTANDING EXPRESSION26. Revising for Effective ExpressionWhat’s the Point of Effective Expression?Understanding the Point of Effective Expression: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Effective ExpressionUse Concise LanguageUse Active and Positive LanguageUse Concrete LanguageUse Fresh LanguageWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log27. Improving Your SpellingWhat’s the Point of Improving Your Spelling?Understanding the Point of Improving YourSpelling: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: Improving Your SpellingFive Steps to Improve Your SpellingRules for Improving Your SpellingWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log28. Mastering Often Confused WordsWhat’s the Point of Mastering Often-Confused Words?Understanding the Point of Mastering Often-Confused Words: One Student Writer’s ResponseApplying the Point: MasteringOften-Confused WordsThree Reasons for Word ConfusionThirty Commonly Confused WordsWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning Log29. Dialects and Standard EnglishWhat’s the Point of Dialects and Standard English?Understanding the Point of Dialects and Standard English: One StudentWriter’s Response Applying the Point: Dialects and Standard EnglishUnderstanding Articles and NounsUnderstanding Sequence of Verb TensesUnderstanding PrepositionsUnderstanding IdiomsWriting AssignmentsWriting for Everyday LifeWriting for College LifeWriting for Working LifeAcademic Learning LogPART 9. READING SELECTIONSWhat’s the Connection Between Reading and Writing?Understanding the Connection Between Reading and WritingApplying the Point: The Connection Between Reading and WritingHow to Annotate a TextHow to Write a SummaryA Reading Strategy for a WriterEighteen Reading SelectionsDESCRIPTIONWater, Rachel SchnellerRain of Fire, Evan ThomasNARRATIONFor My Indian Daughter, Lewis SawaquatFish Cheeks, Amy TanPROCESS“A Guide to Grief,” The Hospice Council of Metropolitan WashingtonWhat to Cook? Planning Menus, Alice WatersILLUSTRATION “Don’t Leave School Just Yet,” Rachel AshwellThe Whistle, Benjamin FranklinCLASSIFICATIONBirth Order–Does It Really Make Any Sense? Kevin LemanWhy I Want a Wife, Judy BradyCOMPARISON-CONTRASTTwo Views of the Mississippi, Mark TwainMy Favorite Guys, John MaddenDEFINITIONWho We Are: 9/6/05, Chris RoseA Bad Apology Is Worse Than No Apology, Randy PauschCAUSE-EFFECTScientists Debate Tech Effect on Brain, Malcolm RitterWrite for Your Life, Anna QuindlenPERSUASIONWimbledon Has Sent Me a Message: I’m Only a Second-Class Champion, Venus WilliamsAre Women Earning More Than Men? Warren FarrellAppendixLearning Outcomes for a Student WriterAcademic Learning LogFeedback logsMy Writing ProcessUnderstanding the Reading Process SQ3RIndex