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Everything You Need to Know About College Writing First Edition

by Lynne Lerych (Author), Allison DeBoer Criswell (Author)

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Everything You Need to Know about College Writing, 2016 MLA Update
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In their teaching, community college instructors Lynne Lerych and Allison DeBoer Criswell have discovered that a unique combination of humor and coaching helps overwhelmed students successfully master the conventions of academic writing. Now they have translated their experience into an engaging text to reach even the most wary students.

Everything You Need to Know About College Writing is anchored by a sequenced, hands-on-approach to teaching rhetorical skills that help students face their fears of writing. This practical method starts by modeling each concept in action, then asks students to discuss and explore the concept together, and ends with an opportunity to practice. The authors’ compelling tone—and presence as illustrated characters throughout the book— keep students returning to the text for more on-the-page instruction. Filled with relevant student examples at every stage of the writing process, illustrated student writers whose progress and thought process the text follows, and engaging activities at when they’re needed most, the text offers a unique way of untangling the toughest writing tasks while helping students to learn from mistakes.

Plenty of grammar and mechanics coverage, plus tips throughout, help even the most reluctant writers stay on track. A mini-reader, a brief section on writing across the curriculum, and another on citation conventions appear at the end of the book to round out its robust support for all elements of a writing course in a small package.

ISBN-10

1457640201
ISBN-13

978-1457640209
Edition

First Edition
Publisher

Bedford/St. Martin's
Publication date

December 11, 2015
Language

English
Dimensions

5.53 x 0.85 x 8.26 inches
Print length

608 pages
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Reyna Grande
39
Hardcover
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bedford/St. Martin's; First Edition (December 11, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 608 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1457640201
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1457640209
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.53 x 0.85 x 8.26 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,636,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #958 in Creative Writing & Composition
- #8,372 in Fiction Writing Reference (Books)
- #17,558 in Core

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Alisha prasai sapkota

excellent book at a very good price

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2017

Verified Purchase

Thank u.... excellent book at a very good price ...

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Avid reader

Very well written. Enjoyable and informative read!

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2017

Verified Purchase

Very well written. Enjoyable and informative read!

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Flounder

Slightly Above Average...

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2016

4 stars. I like this writing book a lot but I don't love it. Lots of pros and cons about this book. I'll pick out a few points in each category. I've taught comp for over twenty years... This textbook is a solid choice...It's better than most writing textbooks (above average) and if you're considering this textbook for a comp class, then you can do a lot worse than this... I know how that sounds but let's be honest and direct...

I've posted a brief blog on 'The 10 Best Books for College Composition' @ truthtableaux.com. I'm not paid or compensated in any way for maintaining the blog... it could be a helpful resource ...

Presumably, if you're reading this review then you're a teacher considering this textbook for a comp class or you're a student wondering whether you should buy it. Is it worth it?? Yes, it is. If you're a student, then please follow your teacher's instructions and purchase or rent it. Please be mindful of delivery time. Expedited shipping may be a smart choice.

The first edition of this book was released in late December 2015 and I ordered it blindly for my transfer-level composition class. 'Blind' in that I only had access to the table of contents on the publisher's website and didn't have a physical copy before I placed an order with my campus bookstore. This is risky business which I don't recommend for future textbook selection. However, my risk has not had terrible results. My students don't seem to resent purchasing the textbook (yet).

OK, so when I consider writing books for a comp class I simply cannot remove the Elbow-Bartholomae debate from my head. Personal versus academic writing....process versus product... This book has a good opening chapter on the rhetorical situation / rhetorical purpose... It has excellent chapters on the recursive nature of reading - writing processes... it stresses the reading - writing transaction. I love, love, love that it emphasizes the writing process which gets cursorily discussed in most writing books these days. This book really goes through the steps and offers solid class activities for each "stage" of the writing process--it doesn't merely provide an overview in a typically breezy way. As much as you may emphasis product over process, let me suggest that you include equal emphasis on process. For whatever reason, my students coming through the Common Core curriculum are not being exposed to the writing process. For them, the first draft is the final draft. Period. They're shocked, frustrated, annoyed, and think I'm a massive jerk when I hint at the notion of revision, or even suggest the idea of editing and proofreading. They take this stuff personally, believe me. "What!? Revise!? The way it is isn't good enough!? Are you saying that I'm not good enough!? Oh no, you're JUDGING ME!!"

Imagine that! What a jerk I am! "Why must I do more then one draft?? OMG, like are you serious?? Really?? Who has time for that?? I'm supposed to play 'World of Warcraft' with my online friends!" Yeah, so they have no idea that reading and writing involves critical processing (annotating, note-taking, outlining, planning, making a mess, etc)... I'm not being critical or jerky in a jaded sort of way here... that's just how it is for my particular students...maybe yours too...

For those of you who want to emphasize the writing process, this textbook may be a solid choice for you.

Who is this book appropriate for? I'd say first semester first-year college students....those who are transitioning from high school to college. In my estimation, it's perfect for pre-baccalaureate composition (one level below transfer-level comp). It's adequately suitable for transfer-level comp. Why?

As I mentioned, it contains a lot of good material on the writing process. Ch's 1 - 4 are excellent in terms of coverage (reading and writing process). Part 2, Ch's 5-7 and Part 3, Ch's 8-10 discuss pre-writing, drafting, and paragraphing. I skip Ch 11 because I have bad feelings about the rhetorical modes, but that's just me.

I particularly like Part 4, Ch's 12 - 14 on REVISION. How many textbooks contain solid individual chapters on revision?? Not many, folks. Bravo! Chapter 15 is on editing. Again, bravo. What? Do you mean revision is different from editing?? Yep...

Part 5, Ch's 16 - 18 on argumentation and faulty reasoning is pretty good but a bit weak in these sections. Other textbooks that emphasize argumentation and rhetorical theory are better than these sections. I'm thinking of Lunsford's 'Everything Is an Argument' (the edition without readings is about the same cost as this book).

Ch 19 seems out of order--"entering into conversations" needs to be earlier in the book... It feels that way to me...

My comp class doesn't require research, so much of Part 6, Ch 20 - 22 on research and using sources I skim over lightly. I love that this textbook has a handbook component--fine-tuning, polishing final drafts: Ch's 23 - Appendix on style, grammar, sentence level issues. Appendix C is on writing across the curriculum (WAC). I'm not big on this. The final appendix contains seven standard nonfiction anthology pieces. The readings aren't terribly inspired... But they're suitable for class conversations and writing activities...

For the price, it's a solid all-in-one choice. Much better than the Norton Field Guide. And I'd say it's slightly better than the Concise St. Martin's Guide to Writing. Before bookstore markup it's about $54 or so full pop. A very reasonable price as textbook costs go these days. And lots of value for the price. The size and format is perfect. It doesn't feel too textbook clunky. Just the right size and weight. It nails all the Goldilocks factors in that way. I like what this book tries to do. Brief, concise chapters.

Here's some feedback from my transfer-level comp students (so far). They don't think it's boring. That's a big plus. But they don't go as far to say that it's interesting. They appreciate it's friendly tone and accessibility. They seem to appreciate the chapters, the way each chapter "breaks down the process" (their words). BUT, they dislike the "reality check" sections. The little graphic cartoon characters talking to each other--they hate that. Really hate it. Visceral response.

Overall, they say that the book doesn't quite approach them at their level. To them, it feels more or less condescending. It doesn't quite talk to them as writers, as college students, but rather as novice writers who have no clue. This turns out to be a major issue for my students. They cannot seem to overcome the tone of the book. I like the humor and slight sarcasm. But my students are not so fond of sarcasm. And they don't appreciate the graphics. That alone makes them not like the book. Students don't like to be "talked down to" (as they say) ... as good as this book is in many ways that's how it comes across to them...a bit too condescending...

What am I talking about? Well, compare the tone of this book with John Trimble's classic expository writing book 'Writing with Style.' I've had huge success with that book. Why? The tone and pedagogical approach. Trimble talks to his audience in equitable language. He uses the terms 'novice' and 'veteran' to categorize writers but it doesn't come off as deprecatory or condescending to student writers. He uses plain language. He addresses student writers as writers on a journey of sorts... as co-partners... as writing collaborators...accessible without the cartoons and dialogue graphics...an oldie but a goodie... it gives short shrift to revision and proofreading...

There's a lot to praise in 'Everything You Need to Know About College.' But the minor issues add up. The subtle sarcastic humor. The reality checks. The writing samples of the same plagiarism assignment. Plagiarism? Not a bad assignment but it sends a message to students. As in, "we expect that you'll plagiarize ... we'll be watching you and here's how we're addressing it with this sample assignment." The reality checks lose traction with my students. The dialogue cartoons lose traction.

If you can somehow overcome these fairly minor issues (or are they?), then this may be a good textbook for you. But the issues might stack up and make the book unappealing for your students. I don't think I would recommend this textbook for classes beyond transfer-level comp. Not really suitable for advanced comp or critical thinking...you may need to supplement the readings ...

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