The Writer's World: Paragraphs and Essays Book

The Writer’s World — Paragraphs and Essays 2E Table of Contents

Inside Front Cover — Paragraph and Essay Checklists

Preface

Part I The Writing Process

Chapter 1 Exploring

The Paragraph and the Essay

Visualizing the Writing Process

What is Exploring?

Topic

Audience

Purpose

Exploring Strategies

Journal and Portfolio Writing

Chapter 2 Developing

What is Developing?

Narrow the Topic

The Topic Sentence

The Supporting Ideas

The Paragraph Plan

The First Draft

Chapter 3 Revising and Editing

What is Revising and Editing?

Revise for Unity

Revise for Adequate Support

Revise for Coherence

Revise for Style

Edit for Errors

Write the Final Draft

Part II Paragraph Patterns

Chapter 4 Illustration

What is Illustration?

The Illustration Paragraph

Explore Topics

The Topic Sentence

The Supporting Ideas

The Paragraph Plan

The First Draft

Revise and Edit an Illustration Paragraph

Chapter 5 Narration

What is Narration?

The Narrative Paragraph

Explore Topics

The Topic Sentence

The Paragraph Plan

The First Draft

Revise and Edit a Narrative Paragraph

Chapter 6 Description

What is Description?

The Descriptive Paragraph

Explore Topics

The Topic Sentence

The Supporting Ideas

The Paragraph Plan

The First Draft

Revise and Edit a Descriptive Paragraph

Chapter 7 Process

What is a Process?

The Process Paragraph

Explore Topics

The Topic Sentence

The Supporting Ideas

The Paragraph Plan

The First Draft

Revise and Edit a Process Paragraph

Chapter 8 Definition

What is Definition?

The Definition Paragraph

Explore Topics

The Topic Sentence

The Supporting Ideas

The Paragraph Plan

The First Draft

Revise and Edit a Definition Paragraph

Chapter 9 Classification

What is Classification?

The Classification Paragraph

Explore Topics

The Topic Sentence

The Supporting Ideas

The Paragraph Plan

The First Draft

Revise and Edit a Classification Paragraph

Chapter 10 Comparison and Contrast

What is Comparison and Contrast?

The Comparison and Contrast Paragraph

Explore Topics

The Topic Sentence

The Supporting Ideas

The Paragraph Plan

The First Draft

Revise and Edit a Comparison and Contrast Paragraph

Chapter 11 Cause and Effect

What is Cause and Effect?

The Cause and Effect Paragraph

Explore Topics

The Topic Sentence

The Supporting Ideas

The Paragraph Plan

The First Draft

Revise and Edit a Cause and Effect Paragraph

Chapter 12 Argument

What is Argument?

The Argument Paragraph

Explore Topics

The Topic Sentence

The Supporting Ideas

The Paragraph Plan

The First Draft

Revise and Edit an Argument Paragraph

Part III The Essay

Chapter 13 Writing the Essay

Explore Topics

The Thesis Statement

The Supporting Ideas

The Essay Plan

The Introduction

The Conclusion

The First Draft

Revising and Editing the Essay

The Essay Title

The Final Draft

Chapter 14 Essay Patterns

The Illustration Essay

The Narrative Essay

The Descriptive Essay

The Process Essay

The Definition Essay

The Classification Essay

The Comparison and Contrast Essay

The Cause and Effect Essay

The Argument Essay

Chapter 15 Enhancing Your Writing with Research

What is Research?

Research for Academic Writing

Gathering Information

Evaluating Sources

Add a Paraphrase, Summary, or Quotation

Cite Sources Using MLA Style

Sample Research Essay Using MLA Style

Part IV The Editing Handbook

Section 1 Effective Sentences ª Section Theme CULTURE

Chapter 16 Simple Sentences

Identify Subjects

Identify Prepositional Phrases

Identify Verbs

Helping Verbs

Chapter 17 Compound Sentences

Compare Simple and Compound Sentences

Combine Sentences Using Coordinating Conjunctions

Combine Sentences Using Semicolons

Combine Sentences Using Transitional Expressions

Chapter 18 Complex Sentences

What is a Complex Sentence?

Use Subordinating Conjunctions

Use Relative Pronouns

Use Embedded Questions

Chapter 19 Sentence Variety

What is Sentence Variety?

Combine Sentences

Include a Question, a Quotation, or an Exclamation

Vary the Opening Words

Combine Sentences with a Present Participle

Combine Sentences with a Past Participle

Combine Sentences with an Appositive

Section 2 Common Sentence Errors ª Section Theme PSYCHOLOGY

Chapter 20 Fragments and Run-Ons

Fragments

Run-Ons

Chapter 21 Faulty Parallel Structure

What is Parallel Structure?

Identify Faulty Parallel Structure

Section 3 Problems with Verbs ª Section Theme ESPIONAGE

Chapter 22 Present and Past Tenses

What is Verb Tense?

The Simple Present Tense

The Simple Past Tense

Avoid Double Negatives

Chapter 23 Past Participles

Past Participles

The Present Perfect Tense: have/has + Past Participle

The Past Perfect Tense: had + Past Participle

The Passive Voice: be + Past Participle

Chapter 24 Other Verb Forms

Problems with Progressive Forms (-ing Verbs)

Nonstandard Forms: gonna, gotta, wanna

Problems with Conditional Forms

Nonstandard Forms: would of, could of, should of

Section 4 Verb Agreement and Consistency ª Section Theme COLLEGE LIFE

Chapter 25 Subject-Verb Agreement

Basic Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

More Than One Subject

Special Subject Forms

Verb Before the Subject

Interrupting Words and Phrases

Chapter 26 Tense Consistency

Consistent Verb Tense

Section 5 More Parts of Speech ª Section Theme INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES

Chapter 27 Nouns, Determiners, and Prepositions

Singular and Plural Nouns

Count Nouns and Noncount Nouns

Determiners

Prepositions

Chapter 28 Pronouns

Pronoun Case

Relative Pronouns (who, whom, which, that, whose)

Reflexive Pronouns (-self/ -selves)

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Indefinite Pronouns

Vague Pronouns

Pronoun Shifts

Section 6 Modifiers ª Section Theme HEALTH CARE

Chapter 29 Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives

Adverbs

Comparative and Superlative Forms

Chapter 30 Mistakes and Modifiers

Misplaced Modifiers

Dangling Modifiers

Section 7 Word Use and Spelling ª Section Theme THE LEGAL WORLD

Chapter 31 Exact Language

Use Specific and Detailed Vocabulary

Avoid Wordiness ad Redundancy

Avoid Clichés

Standard English Versus Slang

Chapter 32 Spelling and Commonly Confused Words

Spelling Rules

120 Commonly Misspelled Words

Look-Alike and Sound-Alike Words

Section 8 Punctuation and Mechanics ª Section Theme THE WORKPLACE

Chapter 33 Commas

What Is a Comma?

Commas in a Series

Commas After Introductory Words and Phrases

Commas Around Interrupting Words and Phrases

Commas in Compound Sentences

Commas in Complex Sentences

Commas in Business Letters

Chapter 34 The Apostrophe, Quotation Marks, and Titles

The Apostrophe

Quotation Marks

Punctuation of Titles

Chapter 35 Capitalization and Other Punctuation Marks

Capitalization

Other Punctuation Marks

Section 9 Editing

Chapter 36 Editing Paragraphs and Essays

Part V Reading Strategies and Selections

Chapter 37 From Reading to Writing

Reading Strategies

Reading Selections

CULTURE AND PSYCHOLOGY

• “The Old-Time Pueblo World” by Leslie Marmon Silko
• “Bound Feet” by Jung Chang
• “I’m a Banana and Proud of It” by Wayson Choy
• “Fads” by David A. Locher
• “Dancing with Fear” by Bebe MooreCampbell
• “Religious Faith Versus Spirituality” by Neil Bissoondath

ESPIONAGE AND DISCOVERIES

§ “How Spies Are Caught”

§ “Nothing But Net” by Scott Bekker

§ “Growing Up in Cyberspace” by Brent Staples

COLLEGE LIFE AND HEALTH CARE

§ “Body Over Mind” by Mitch Albom

§ “Dying to Be Bigger” by H.D.

§ “It’s Class, Stupid!” by Richard Rogriquez

§ “The Case for Affirmative Action” by Dave Malcolm

§ “Control Your Temper” by Elizabeth Passarella

THE LEGAL WORLD AND THE WORKPLACE

§ “Aunt tee” by Maya Angelou

§ “Dealing With People” by Greg McGrew

§ “Why I Worked for La Migra” by Veronica Ortega

§ “When the Legal Thing Isn’t the Right Thing” by Deborah Mead

§ “A Faith in Other Versus Security” by Barbara Card Atkinson

§ “Interview with Jimmy Baca” by Elizabeth Farnsworth

Appendices

§ Appendix 1: Grammar Glossary

§ Appendix 2: Irregular Verbs

§ Appendix 3: A Quick Guide to Verb Tenses

§ Appendix 4: Combining Ideas in Sentences

§ Appendix 5: Punctuation and Mechanics

§ Appendix 6: Writing Paragraphs and Essays in Exams

§ Appendix 7: Spelling, Grammar, and Vocabulary Logs

Credits

Index

Inside Back Cover

Editing Checklist

Revising and Editing Symbols