Short Takes: Model Essays for Composition Book

Thematic Guide     xv
Preface     xix
Freeze Frame: Reading and Writing     1
On Using Description     12
A Sandwich   Nora Ephron     22
The Bridge   Jason Holland     25
Countdown   Jonathan Franzen     29
El Hoyo   Mario Suarez     33
Left Sink   Ellery Akers     37
Additional Writing Assignments     45
On Using Narration     47
Designer of Audio CD Packaging Enters Hell   Steve Martin     57
Learning, then College   Meg Gifford     61
The Night of Oranges   Flavius Stan     64
Time to Look and Listen   Magdoline Asfahani     67
Footprints on the Flag   Anchee Min     72
Additional Writing Assignments     76
On Using Definition     77
Chocolate Equals Love   Diane Ackerman     84
I Was a Member of the Kung Fu Crew   Henry Han Xi Lau     88
The Handicap of Definition   William Raspberry     92
Where Nothing Says Everything   Suzanne Berne     96
Crippled by TheirCulture   Thomas Sowell     101
Additional Writing Assignments     107
On Using Example     108
Sweatin' for Nothin'   Michael Barlow     117
Stop Ordering Me Around   Stacey Wilkins     120
A Black Fan of Country Music Finally Tells All   Lena Williams     125
Step Away from the Bear   Laura Lee     129
Bananas for Rent   Michiko Kakutani     136
Additional Writing Assignments     141
On Using Division and Classification     142
A Good Word on Politics   Steven Doloff     150
Always, Always, Always   Bill Rohde     153
The Search for Human Life in the Maze of Retail Stores   Michelle Higgins     158
The Plot Against People   Russell Baker     162
Desert Religions   Richard Rodriguez     l66
Additional Writing Assignments     171
On Using Comparison and Contrast     172
Living on Tokyo Time   Lynnika Butler     180
Who's Watching? Reality TV and Sports   Frank Deford     183
Playing House   Denise Leight     186
World and America Watching Different Wars   Danna Harman     190
The Raven   Barry Lopez     196
Additional Writing Assignments     202
On Using Process     203
Accessorizing the Scoops of Summer   Kay Rentschler     210
Runner   Laura Carlson     214
Independence Day   Dave Barry     217
Halloween and the Eulogy: Death, Be Not Ponderous   Cyrus M. Copeland     221
A Woman's Place   Naomi Wolf     225
Additional Writing Assignments     231
On Using Cause and Effect     232
Tiffany Stephenson-An Apology   Bjorn Skogquist     239
When Music Heals Body and Soul   Oliver Sacks     244
Wrestling with Myself   George Felton     249
Black Men and Public Space   Brent Staples     254
Retreat into the iWorld   Andrew Sullivan     259
Additional Writing Assignments     264
On Using Argument     265
Last Rites for Indian Dead   Suzan Shown Harjo     278
Don't Impede Medical Progress   Virginia Postrel     282
Gay Marriages: Make Them Legal   Thomas B. Stoddard     287
Dearly Beloved   Cal Thomas     291
Guest Workers and the U. S. Heritage   Jay Bookman     294
We Don't Need 'Guest Workers'   Robert J. Samuelson     299
All These Illegals (comic strip)   Darrin Bell     304
Americans and Jobs (cartoon)   Steve Kelley     305
Additional Writing Assignments     307
For Further Reading: Multiple Modes, Varied Opinions     308
On Disabilities     308
Mind Over Matter   Roger Rosenblatt     309
Macho Man-An In-depth Analysis of the Prejudices of Disability   Bryan Tortolani     310
On Morality, Values, and Higher Education     314
When Ideas Kill   Alan Wolfe     315
Aim Low   Stanley Fish     317
Terror and Torture   Hendrik Hertzberg     322
A Case for Torture   Mirko Bagaric     325
Credits     329
Index of Authors, Essays, and Terms     333