Simple, Clear, and Correct: Sentences (with NEW MyWritingLab Student Access Code Card) Book

PART I: THE WRITING PROCESS–FROM FIRST THOUGHTS TO FINAL DRAFT

Chapter 1 Effective Writing: Process and Product

Preview: The Components of Effective Writing

The Writing Process

The Writer-Reader Connection

Paragraphs and Essays: Similarities and Differences

Chapter 2 The Prewriting Stage

Preview: Techniques for Prewriting

Freewriting and Brainstorming

Clustering and Branching

The Best Prewriting Technique–or Combination of Techniques–for You

Chapter 3 The Composing Stage

Preview: From Basic Ideas to First Draft

A Clear Main Point: Topic Sentence or Thesis

The Difference Between Writer-Centered Ideas and Reader-Centered Material

Strong Supporting Details and Examples: Amplifying

Effective Openings and Closings

Two First Versions: A Rough Draft and a First Draft

Chapter 4 The Revising Stage

Preview: First Draft to Final Draft

Reassessing

Unity

Coherence

Language

Help from an Objective Reader

Redrafting

Editing

An Annotated Revised Draft

PART II: THE MODES: THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES AND APPROACHES

Chapter 5 Narration

Preview: Telling the Story

An Effective Point of View

A Thorough Presentation

Appropriate Flashbacks and Flashforwards

Chronological Order and Sufficient Transition

Narration Checklist

Chapter 6 Description

Preview: Bringing It into Focus

Appropriate Sensory Details

Objective and Subjective Description

A Thoroughly Developed and Focused Presentation

Spatial Order and Sufficient Transition

Description Checklist

Chapter 7 Example

Preview: Offering an Illustration

Specific Examples

Relevant Examples

Multiple Examples

Effective Arrangement and Sufficient Transition

An Example Checklist

Chapter 8 Process

Preview: Outlining the Steps

The Appropriate Use of the Imperative Mood

Simple, Logical Steps

Reassurances of What to Expect and What to Avoid

Linear Order and Sufficient Transition

A Process Checklist

Chapter 9 Definition

Preview: Spelling Out the Meaning

Limited and Extended Definitions

Denotation, Connotations, and Negation

Appropriate Personal Interpretations or Experiences

Effective Arrangement and Sufficient Transition

A Definition Checklist

Chapter 10 Comparison and Contrast

Preview: Examining Similarities and Differences

Specific Subjects and Focus

A Clear Basis for Comparison or Contrast

A Thorough and Specific Presentation

An Effective Arrangement and Sufficient Transition

A Comparison and Contrast Checklist

Chapter 11 Cause and Effect

Preview: Understanding Reasons and Results

An Appropriate Focus

Direct and Related Causes and Effects

Multiple Cause and Effect Situations

An Effective Arrangement and Sufficient Transition

A Cause and Effect Checklist

Chapter 12 Division and Classification

Preview: Considering Segments and Groupings

A Specific Focus and a Logical Method of Analysis

A Clear and Consistent Presentation

Distinct and Complete Elements

An Effective Arrangement and Sufficient Transition

A Division and Classification Checklist

Chapter 13 Argument

Preview: Taking a Stand

An Explicit Stance

The Modes in Combination

Sufficient Valid Support

A Reasonable and Convincing Tone

Common Errors in Logic to Avoid

Emphatic Order and Sufficient Transition

An Argument Checklist

Part III: Issues of Mechanics and Usage

Chapter 14 Parts of Speech

Preview: Understanding the Ways Words Function

The Verb

The Namers–Nouns and Pronouns

The Modifiers–Adjectives and Adverbs

The Connectors–Conjunctions and Prepositions

Interjections

Chapter 15 Sentence Elements

Preview: Considering the Principal Parts

Subject and Verbs

Complements

Phrases

Clauses

Chapter 16 The Types of Sentences

Preview: Understanding the Different Methods

Declarative

Interrogative

Imperative

Exclamatory

Chapter 17 The Classifications of Sentence

Preview: Considering Different Structures

Simple

Compound

Complex

Compound-Complex

PART IV: COMMON PROBLEMS SPOTS–IDENTIFICATION AND ELIMINATION

Chapter 18 Fragments

Preview: Distinguishing Between Complete and Incomplete Units

Omitted Subject or Verb

Phrase Fragments

Subordinate Clause Fragments

Chapter 19 Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences

Preview: Correctly Connecting or Separating Your Ideas

A Conjunction to Connect Sentences

A Semicolon to Connect Sentences

End Punctuation to Separate Sentences

Chapter 20 Subject-Verb Agreement

Preview: Matching Up the Key Parts

The Subject Following the Verb

Phrases and Clauses Coming Between Subjects and Verbs

Compound Subject Complications

Indefinite Pronouns, Collective Nouns, Singular Nouns Ending in —s, or Nouns of Measurement, Amount, or Distance as Subjects

Chapter 21 Correct Verb Use: Irregular Forms, Tense, and Voice

Preview: Understanding Different Aspects of Verb Use

Correct Irregular Verb Use

Multiple Verb Tenses

Consistency in Verb Tense Use

Chapter 22 Noun and Pronoun Use

Preview: Using Naming Words Correctly

The Functions and Forms of Nouns

The Different Cases of Pronouns

Consistency in Pronoun Number

Clear Relationships Between Pronouns and Antecedents

Chapter 23 Adjective, Adverb, and Other Modifier Use

Preview: Using Modifying Words Properly

The Correct Forms of Adjectives and Adverbs

Commonly Confused and Irregular Modifiers

Intensifying and Absolute Modifiers

Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers

Chapter 24 Spelling

Preview: Mastering the Rules and the Exceptions

The Basic Rules of Spelling

Commonly Confused Words

Frequently Misspelled Words

Chapter 25 Parallelism

Preview: Keeping it All Balanced

Individual Words in Pairs or Series

Phrases in Pairs or Series

Items Connected by Correlative Conjunctions and Than or As

Chapter 26 Punctuation

Preview: Maintaining the Nuts and Bolts

End Punctuation

Pausing Punctuation

Enclosing Punctuation

The Apostrophe

Chapter 27 Capitalization and Numbers

Preview: Specifying and Quantifying

Capitalization

Numbers

Appendix A: Study Skills

Appendix B: Preparing a Summary