Writing Guide with Handbook

Writing Guide with Handbook aligns to the goals, topics, and objectives of many first-year writing and composition courses. It is organized according to relevant genres, and focuses on the writing process, effective writing practices or strategies—including graphic organizers, writing frames, and word banks to support visual learning—and conventions of usage and style. The text includes an editing and documentation handbook, which provides information on grammar and mechanics, common usage errors, and citation styles.

Writing Guide with Handbook breaks down barriers in the field of composition by offering an inviting and inclusive approach to students of all intersectional identities. To meet this goal, the text creates a reciprocal relationship between everyday rhetoric and the evolving world of academia. Writing Guide with Handbook builds on students’ life experiences and their participation in rhetorical communities within the familiar contexts of personal interaction and social media. The text seeks to extend these existing skills by showing students how to construct a variety of compelling compositions in a variety of formats, situations, and contexts.

The authors conceived and developed Writing Guide with Handbook in 2020; its content and learning experiences reflect the instructional, societal, and individual challenges students have faced. The authors invite students and instructors to practice invitational discussions even as they engage in verbal and written argument. Instructors will be empowered to emphasize meaning and voice and to teach empathy as a rhetorical strategy. Students will be empowered to negotiate their identities and their cultures through language as they join us in writing, discovering, learning, and creating.

Senior Contributing Authors

Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Spelman College
Maria Jerskey, City University of New York
featuring Toby Fulwiler, Emeritus, University of Vermont


Contributing Authors

Michelle Baker, Principal, Conservation Writing Pro
Mark Bernheim, Emeritus, Miami University
Sheila Carter-Tod, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Bryan Flynn, Midlands Technical College
Victoria Friedrich, Writer and Curriculum Designer
William Gary, Henderson Community College
Carol Hollar-Zwick, Writer and Curriculum Designer
Craig A. Meyer, Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Cynthia Mwenja, University of Montevallo
Susie Thurman, retired from Henderson Community College

Unit 1 The Things We Carry: Experience, Culture, and Language

• Unit 1 Unit Introduction

Chapter 1 The Digital World: Building on What You Already Know to Respond Critically
o Introduction
o 1.1 "Reading" to Understand and Respond
o 1.2 Social Media Trailblazer: Selena Gomez
o 1.3 Glance at Critical Response: Rhetoric and Critical Thinking
o 1.4 Annotated Student Sample: Social Media Post and Responses on Voter Suppression
o 1.5 Writing Process: Thinking Critically About a “Text”
o 1.6 Evaluation: Intention vs. Execution
o 1.7 Spotlight on … Academia
o 1.8 Portfolio: Tracing Writing Development
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 2 Language, Identity, and Culture: Exploring, Employing, Embracing
o Introduction
o 2.1 Seeds of Self
o 2.2 Identity Trailblazer: Cathy Park Hong
o 2.3 Glance at the Issues: Oppression and Reclamation
o 2.4 Annotated Sample Reading from The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois
o 2.5 Writing Process: Thinking Critically about How Identity Is Constructed Through Writing
o 2.6 Evaluation: Antiracism and Inclusivity
o 2.7 Spotlight on … Variations of English
o 2.8 Portfolio: Decolonizing Self
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 3 Literacy Narrative: Building Bridges, Bridging Gaps
o Introduction
o 3.1 Identity and Expression
o 3.2 Literacy Narrative Trailblazer: Tara Westover
o 3.3 Glance at Genre: The Literacy Narrative
o 3.4 Annotated Sample Reading: from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
o 3.5 Writing Process: Tracing the Beginnings of Literacy
o 3.6 Editing Focus: Sentence Structure
o 3.7 Evaluation: Self-Evaluating
o 3.8 Spotlight on … The Digital Archive of Literacy Narratives (DALN)
o 3.9 Portfolio: A Literacy Artifact
o Further Reading
o Works Cited
o Works Consulted

Unit 2 Bridging the Divide Between Personal Identity and Academia
• Unit 2 Unit Introduction

Chapter 4 Memoir or Personal Narrative: Learning Lessons from the Personal
o Introduction
o 4.1 Exploring the Past to Understand the Present
o 4.2 Memoir Trailblazer: Ta-Nehisi Coates
o 4.3 Glance at Genre: Conflict, Detail, and Revelation
o 4.4 Annotated Sample Reading: from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain
o 4.5 Writing Process: Making the Personal Public
o 4.6 Editing Focus: More on Characterization and Point of View
o 4.7 Evaluation: Structure and Organization
o 4.8 Spotlight on … Multilingual Writers
o 4.9 Portfolio: Filtered Memories
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 5 Profile: Telling a Rich and Compelling Story
o Introduction
o 5.1 Profiles as Inspiration
o 5.2 Profile Trailblazer: Veronica Chambers
o 5.3 Glance at Genre: Subject, Angle, Background, and Description
o 5.4 Annotated Sample Reading: “Remembering John Lewis” by Carla D. Hayden
o 5.5 Writing Process: Focusing on the Angle of Your Subject
o 5.6 Editing Focus: Verb Tense Consistency
o 5.7 Evaluation: Text as Personal Introduction
o 5.8 Spotlight on … Profiling a Cultural Artifact
o 5.9 Portfolio: Subject as a Reflection of Self
o Works Cited

Chapter 6 Proposal: Writing About Problems and Solutions
o Introduction
o 6.1 Proposing Change: Thinking Critically About Problems and Solutions
o 6.2 Proposal Trailblazer: Atul Gawande
o 6.3 Glance at Genre: Features of Proposals
o 6.4 Annotated Student Sample: “Slowing Climate Change” by Shawn Krukowski
o 6.5 Writing Process: Creating a Proposal
o 6.6 Editing Focus: Subject-Verb Agreement
o 6.7 Evaluation: Conventions, Clarity, and Coherence
o 6.8 Spotlight on … Technical Writing as a Career
o 6.9 Portfolio: Reflecting on Problems and Solutions
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 7 Evaluation or Review: Would You Recommend It?
o Introduction
o 7.1 Thumbs Up or Down?
o 7.2 Review Trailblazer: Michiko Kakutani
o 7.3 Glance at Genre: Criteria, Evidence, Evaluation
o 7.4 Annotated Student Sample: "Black Representation in Film" by Caelia Marshall
o 7.5 Writing Process: Thinking Critically About Entertainment
o 7.6 Editing Focus: Quotations
o 7.7 Evaluation: Effect on Audience
o 7.8 Spotlight on … Language and Culture
o 7.9 Portfolio: What the Arts Say About You
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 8 Analytical Report: Writing from Facts
o Introduction
o 8.1 Information and Critical Thinking
o 8.2 Analytical Report Trailblazer: Barbara Ehrenreich
o 8.3 Glance at Genre: Informal and Formal Analytical Reports
o 8.4 Annotated Student Sample: "U.S. Response to COVID-19" by Trevor Garcia
o 8.5 Writing Process: Creating an Analytical Report
o 8.6 Editing Focus: Commas with Nonessential and Essential Information
o 8.7 Evaluation: Reviewing the Final Draft
o 8.8 Spotlight on … Discipline-Specific and Technical Language
o 8.9 Portfolio: Evidence and Objectivity
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 9 Rhetorical Analysis: Interpreting the Art of Rhetoric
o Introduction
o 9.1 Breaking the Whole into Its Parts
o 9.2 Rhetorical Analysis Trailblazer: Jamil Smith
o 9.3 Glance at Genre: Rhetorical Strategies
o 9.4 Annotated Student Sample: “Rhetorical Analysis: Evicted by Matthew Desmond” by Eliana Evans
o 9.5 Writing Process: Thinking Critically about Rhetoric
o 9.6 Editing Focus: Mixed Sentence Constructions
o 9.7 Evaluation: Rhetorical Analysis
o 9.8 Spotlight on … Business and Law
o 9.9 Portfolio: How Thinking Critically about Rhetoric Affects Intellectual Growth
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 10 Position Argument: Practicing the Art of Rhetoric
o Introduction
o 10.1 Making a Case: Defining a Position Argument
o 10.2 Position Argument Trailblazer: Charles Blow
o 10.3 Glance at Genre: Thesis, Reasoning, and Evidence
o 10.4 Annotated Sample Reading: "Remarks at the University of Michigan" by Lyndon B. Johnson
o 10.5 Writing Process: Creating a Position Argument
o 10.6 Editing Focus: Paragraphs and Transitions
o 10.7 Evaluation: Varied Appeals
o 10.8 Spotlight on … Citation
o 10.9 Portfolio: Growth in the Development of Argument
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 11 Reasoning Strategies: Improving Critical Thinking
o Introduction
o 11.1 Developing Your Sense of Logic
o 11.2 Reasoning Trailblazer: Paul D. N. Hebert
o 11.3 Glance at Genre: Reasoning Strategies and Signal Words
o 11.4 Annotated Sample Reading: from Book VII of The Republic by Plato
o 11.5 Writing Process: Reasoning Supported by Evidence
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 12 Argumentative Research: Enhancing the Art of Rhetoric with Evidence
o Introduction
o 12.1 Introducing Research and Research Evidence
o 12.2 Argumentative Research Trailblazer: Samin Nosrat
o 12.3 Glance at Genre: Introducing Research as Evidence
o 12.4 Annotated Student Sample: "Healthy Diets from Sustainable Sources Can Save the Earth" by Lily Tran
o 12.5 Writing Process: Integrating Research
o 12.6 Editing Focus: Integrating Sources and Quotations
o 12.7 Evaluation: Effectiveness of Research Paper
o 12.8 Spotlight on … Bias in Language and Research
o 12.9 Portfolio: Why Facts Matter in Research Argumentation
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 13 Research Process: Accessing and Recording Information
o Introduction
o 13.1 The Research Process: Where to Look for Existing Sources
o 13.2 The Research Process: How to Create Sources
o 13.3 Glance at the Research Process: Key Skills
o 13.4 Annotated Student Sample: Research Log
o 13.5 Research Process: Making Notes, Synthesizing Information, and Keeping a Research Log
o 13.6 Spotlight on … Ethical Research
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 14 Annotated Bibliography: Gathering, Evaluating, and Documenting Sources
o Introduction
o 14.1 Compiling Sources for an Annotated Bibliography
o 14.2 Glance at Form: Citation Style, Purpose, and Formatting
o 14.3 Annotated Student Sample: “Healthy Diets from Sustainable Sources Can Save the Earth” by Lily Tran
o 14.4 Writing Process: Informing and Analyzing
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 15 Case Study Profile: What One Person Says About All
o Introduction
o 15.1 Tracing a Broad Issue in the Individual
o 15.2 Case Study Trailblazer: Vilayanur S. Ramachandran
o 15.3 Glance at Genre: Observation, Description, and Analysis
o 15.4 Annotated Sample Reading: Case Study on Louis Victor "Tan" Leborgne
o 15.5 Writing Process: Thinking Critically About How People and Language Interact
o 15.6 Editing Focus: Words Often Confused
o 15.7 Evaluation: Presentation and Analysis of Case Study
o 15.8 Spotlight on … Applied Linguistics
o 15.9 Portfolio: Your Own Uses of Language
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Unit 3 Navigating Rhetoric in Real Life
• Unit 3 Unit Introduction

Chapter 16 Print or Textual Analysis: What You Read
o Introduction
o 16.1 An Author’s Choices: What Text Says and How It Says It
o 16.2 Textual Analysis Trailblazer: bell hooks
o 16.3 Glance at Genre: Print or Textual Analysis
o 16.4 Annotated Student Sample: "Artists at Work" by Gwyn Garrison
o 16.5 Writing Process: Thinking Critically About Text
o 16.6 Editing Focus: Literary Works Live in the Present
o 16.7 Evaluation: Self-Directed Assessment
o 16.8 Spotlight on … Humanities
o 16.9 Portfolio: The Academic and the Personal
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 17 Image Analysis: What You See
o Introduction
o 17.1 “Reading” Images
o 17.2 Image Trailblazer: Sara Ludy
o 17.3 Glance at Genre: Relationship Between Image and Rhetoric
o 17.4 Annotated Student Sample: “Hints of the Homoerotic” by Leo Davis
o 17.5 Writing Process: Thinking Critically and Writing Persuasively About Images
o 17.6 Editing Focus: Descriptive Diction
o 17.7 Evaluation: Relationship Between Analysis and Image
o 17.8 Spotlight on … Video and Film
o 17.9 Portfolio: Interplay Between Text and Image
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 18 Multimodal and Online Writing: Creative Interaction between Text and Image
o Introduction
o 18.1 Mixing Genres and Modes
o 18.2 Multimodal Trailblazer: Torika Bolatagici
o 18.3 Glance at Genre: Genre, Audience, Purpose, Organization
o 18.4 Annotated Sample Reading: “Celebrating a Win-Win” by Alexandra Dapolito Dunn
o 18.5 Writing Process: Create a Multimodal Advocacy Project
o 18.6 Evaluation: Transitions
o 18.7 Spotlight on . . . Technology
o 18.8 Portfolio: Multimodalism
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 19 Scripting for the Public Forum: Writing to Speak
o Introduction
o 19.1 Writing, Speaking, and Activism
o 19.2 Podcast Trailblazer: Alice Wong
o 19.3 Glance at Genre: Language Performance and Visuals
o 19.4 Annotated Student Sample: “Are New DOT Regulations Discriminatory?” by Zain A. Kumar
o 19.5 Writing Process: Writing to Speak
o 19.6 Evaluation: Bridging Writing and Speaking
o 19.7 Spotlight on … Delivery/Public Speaking
o 19.8 Portfolio: Everyday Rhetoric, Rhetoric Every Day
o Further Reading
o Works Cited

Chapter 20 Portfolio Reflection: Your Growth as a Writer
o Introduction
o 20.1 Thinking Critically about Your Semester
o 20.2 Reflection Trailblazer: Sandra Cisneros
o 20.3 Glance at Genre: Purpose and Structure
o 20.4 Annotated Sample Reading: “Don’t Expect Congrats” by Dale Trumbore
o 20.5 Writing Process: Looking Back, Looking Forward
o 20.6 Editing Focus: Pronouns
o 20.7 Evaluation: Evaluating Self-Reflection
o 20.8 Spotlight on … Pronouns in Context
o Further Reading
o Works Cited