1 CHOOSING RIGHT WORDS

1.1 General and Specific Words

1.2 Denotation and Connotation

1.3 Figurative Language

1.4 Levels of Diction

Exercises

2 SHAPING EFFECTIVE SENTENCES

2.1 Sentence Variety

2.1.1 Varying sentence length

2.1.2 Varying sentence structure

2.1.3 Varying sentence beginnings

2.2 Impressive Sentences

2.2.1 Using strong verbs

2.2.2 Using right voice

2.2.3 Using repetition

2.2.4 Using inverted order

2.3 Sentence Emphasis

2.3.1 Periodic sentences

2.3.2 Cumulative sentences

2.3.3 Climactic sentences

2.3.4 Antithetical sentences

2.3.5 Short sentences

2.3.6 The dash

2.4 Concise Sentences

2.4.1 Wordiness

2.4.2 Needless repetition

2.4.3 Redundancy

2.4.4 Buzzwords

2.4.5 Pretentious language

Exercises

3 UNDERSTANDING PARAGRAPHS

3.1 Paragraph Structure

3.1.1 Topic sentence

3.1.2 Supporting sentences

3.1.3 Concluding sentence

3.2 Paragraph Unity

3.3 Paragraph Coherence

3.3.1 Transitional words and phrases

3.3.2 Repeated key words and phrases

3.3.3 Parallel structure

3.4 Paragraph Development

3.4.1 Examples and details

3.4.2 Comparison and contrast

3.4.3 Analogy

3.4.4 Classification

3.4.5 Cause and effect

3.4.6 Process

3.4.7 Space order

3.4.8 Question-answer order

3.4.9 Order of importance

Exercises

4 WRITING DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPHS

4.1 About a Person

4.2 About an Object

4.3 About a Place

4.4 More Practice on Description

4.4.1 About an unusual person

4.4.2 About a room

4.4.3 About an animal

Student Practice Paragraphs

Exercises

Writing Activities

5 WRITING NARRATIVE PARAGRAPHS

5.1 Framework of a Narrative

5.1.1 Point of view

5.1.2 Dialogue

5.1.3 Setting

5.1.4 Order of events

5.2 About an Experience

5.3 About an Activity

Student Practice Paragraphs

Exercises

Writing Activities

6 WRITING OTHER TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS

6.1 Example Paragraph

6.2 Process Paragraph

6.3 Comparison Paragraph

6.4 Cause-Effect Paragraph

6.5 Definition Paragraph

6.6 Opinion Paragraph

Student Practice Paragraphs

Exercises

Writing Activities

7 WRITING BEYOND THE PARAGRAPH

7.1 Thesis Statement

7.2 Outline

7.3 Introduction

7.4 Body Paragraphs

7.5 Conclusion

7.6 Revision of First Draft

Student Practice Papers

Exercises

Writing Activities

8 WRITING A SUMMARY

8.1 Summarizing Paragraphs

8.2 Summarizing Longer Pieces

Exercises

9 WRITING ABOUT LITERATURE

9.1 The Elements of Literature

9.1.1 Plot

9.1.2 Narrator and point of view

9.1.3 Characterization

9.1.4 Setting

9.1.5 Symbols

9.1.6 Language and style

9.1.7 Theme

9.1.8 Some literary devices and terms

9.2 Literal Versus Analytical Reading

9.2.1 Denotation versus connotation

9.2.2 Paraphrase and summary versus analysis

9.2.3 Context and analysis

9.2.4 Symbolism and analysis

9.2.5 Imagery and analysis

9.2.6 Structure and totality of a work

9.3 Writing a Literary Interpretation

9.3.1 Theme idea

9.3.2 Examples of defining theme idea

9.3.3 Solidity of content

9.3.4 Poor mixture of summary and analysis

9.3.5 The scissors and paste approach

9.3.6 Identification of a pattern in a text

9.3.7 Five basic steps

9.3.8 A practical demonstration

9.4 Writing a Research Paper

9.5 Format for Documenting Sources

9.5.1 Using explanatory notes

9.5.2 In-text citations

9.5.3 A sample list

9.6 Writing Logical Argument

9.6.1 Persuasion and argument

9.6.2 Induction

9.6.3 Deduction

9.6.4 Arguing from authority, testimony

9.6.5 Building a good argument

9.6.6 Avoiding fallacies

9.7 Questions Often Asked about Research Papers

A Sample Research Paper

Exercises

10 WRITING FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES

10.1 Book Report

10.2 Book Review

10.3 In-Class Papers

10.4 Job Applications

10.4.1 Resumes

10.4.2 Letters of application

A GLOSSARY OF LITERARY TERMS

ANSWERS TO SELECTED EXERCISES

INDEX

BIBLIOGRAPHY