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Textbook Update Spring 2010

English 100 Approved Textbooks

Observing, Reflecting, Writing: An Introduction to Writing, Beverly S. Braniff. Pearson Custom Publishing. A Mercury Reader of selected readings and visuals used for discussions and imitation. Reading selections may change from year to year. Used in ENG 100. Under $25 - Beverly S. Braniff.

The Freedom Writers Diary, The Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell. Broadway Books, NY. 2001. ISBN# 0-385-49422-X. The Freedom Writers Diary is a particularly useful text for readers and writers at risk. I use it primarily to teach a developmental first-year composition course. One of the many drawbacks to standardization, norming, and the assembly line model that constitutes the American educational composition system is that students are reminded over and over again of the skills they lack. Tell students that they cannot read or write well, and they decide to stop even trying. Gruwell changed the focus. She attempted to connect with her students and find out what they could do. Suprise, this worked. The journal (or diary) entries are the published results of Gruwell's four-year experiment. I show the film, and we all read the book. Each class member chooses a student with whom he or she can relate. The students compare their high school careers to those of the Freedom Writers. As a "community" we discover our own stories. Available through Amazon $10.19 new or used for less. - Jennie Trias.

The Writer's World: Paragraphs and Essays, Lynn Gaetz and Suneeti Phadke. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. 2nd edition. No description available. (Wort)

Write to Learn, Donald M. Murray. Boston: Thomson Wadsworth, 2005. ISBN# 978-1413001730. This text is used for both ENG 100 and ENG 180 by Jennie Trias. See ENG 180 description.

ENG 180 Approved Textbooks

Axelrod, Rise B. and Charles R. Cooper. The St. Martin's Guide to Writing. 5th edition. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. I use The St. Martin's Guide to Writing because its organization is easy to follow, plus it includes essays which serve as models for the type of genre covered in each particular essay. Also, the text includes enough different genres that I'm not teaching the same thing every semester, and no matter which genre I select, I feel that it will be useful to students in other classes at the university. - Diana Allen.

Axelrod, Rise B., Charles R. Cooper, and Alison M. Warriner. Reading Critically, Writing Well. 8th edition. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. ISBN# 10:0-312-46382-0. http://www.pearsoncustom.com/custom-library/the-mercury-readerThis text teaches skills and strategies for effective analyzing, researching, and writing. Critical thinking exercises divided into sections on both reading and writing follow each essay. Famous essays such as Martin Luther King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" allow students to participate in both historical and current issue discussions. The current MLA reference section reinforces student writing for researched papers. - Carol Bollin.

Ballenger, Bruce. The Curious Writer. 2nd edition. Pearson Longman, 2009. Author Bruce Ballenger writes his text The Curious Writer in a very user friendly voice. Students from both Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 have commented about the accessibility of the language and the ideas that Ballenger presents. I use the Concise Edition, 2/E, which the publisher lists at a suggested $60. The text is well worth the cost as it includes not only instructions leading students through various genres but also a great chapter introducing 24 distinct revision strategies and offering exercises for students to complete using their own draft (at the revising stage). I would recommend the text to anyone teaching ENG 180. - Kathie Zemke.

Bullock, Richard. The Norton Field Guide to Writing with 2009 MLA Update. 2nd edition. Norton, 2009. ISBN# 0393934381. Spring 2010 for Bradley Dilger.

Bullock, Richard et al. The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings and Handbook. Norton, 2008. ISBN# 978-0-393-93020-7. Spring 2010 for Chris Iwanicki.

Bullock, Richard and Francine Weinberg. The Norton Field Guide to Writing with 2009 MLA Update. 2nd edition. Norton, 2009. ISBN# 978-0-393-934390-7.

Bullock, Richard, Maureen Daly Goggin, and Francine Weinberg. The Norton Field Guide with Readings. 2nd edition. Norton, 2009. ISBN# 978-0-393-93381-9.

Graff, Gerald, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel Durst. "They Say/I Say": The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. 2nd edition. Norton, 2010. ISBN# 978-0-393-93363-1 or 93174-7. This is a great introduction to academic writing. The premise of the book is entering the discussion, and I think this is a great way to get started. The book offers templates which provide for the students models of what academic writing looks like. The book offers a way for students to keep their writing voice while writing academically. There are two versions of this text: one with readings and one without readings. - Penny Rigg (2009)

Kenney, Kenney, and Aaron. The Brief Bedford Reader. 10th edition. Bedford/St. Martins. The Brief Bedford Reader's 10th edition could be the only text required for the College Composition I classroom as it includes writing tools, essays for modeling (both professional and student), and an MLA documentation handbook all in one compact, easily navigated, affordable book. With its variety of essays and instruction in the methods of composition, it is a valuable tool for my students. Additionally, Bedford offers a thorough website where students can find a collection of links to support the topics and authors, learn documentation skills, take online reading quizzes (student log in and scores can be sent directly to the instructor - tremendous tool), and so on. - Jodi Cook.

Miller, Robert Keith. Motives for Writing. McGraw-Hill, 2006. 5th edition. ISBN# 13:978-0-07-322050-5. I'd highly recommend Robert Keith Miller's Motives for Writing....It's a good book—demanding but good. - Randy Smith.

Motives for Writing is a collection of essays grouped according to seven writing themes, including "Writing to Understand Experience," "Writing to Persuade Others," "Writing to Analyze Images," and "Writing to Analyze Texts." The book also includes MLA and APA documentation guides, as well as short readings on the writing process and peer reviews. The variety of readings and rhetorical strategies are very helpful in targeting many areas of study in composition. - Barbara Ashwood-Gegas.

McQuade, Donald and Christine McQuade. Seeing and Writing 3 . Strong focus on the visual and textual, similar to Convergence or Everything's an Argument. Chapter themes connect to writing assignments I teach the most (i.e. Capturing Memorable Moments, Coming to Terms with Place, Examining Difference, Projecting Gender, and the Ethics of Representation). Readings are tough and difficult to use as models. More of a text for ENG 280 than 180. - Neil Baird. (/p>

Murray, Donald M. Write to Learn. Boston: Thompson Wadsworth, 2005. ISBN#978-1413001730. This text, currently in its 8th edition, is used and recommended by Jennie Trias. Jennie states that "unlike other composition texts, this one neither arrogantly talks far above the students' level nor does it talk down to them." In conjunction with Murray's voice is the basic functionality of this text. It is short (326 pages) and concise, offering thorough discussions regarding the various writings we require students to produce in both ENG 180 and 280 composition courses, a fact that demonstrates how truly adaptable this book is. Additionally, there would be no need to require a supplemental reader as Murray includes various essays. (2009)

Robertson, Alice B. Writing from Private Spaces to Public Places. 2nd edition. Kendall Hunt, 2009. ISBN# 978-0-7575-6871-8. This book follows the assignments of ENG 180 and provides writing samples. The text focuses on writing as a process while considering that writing is personal. This text is an excellent introduction to college writing. - Penny Rigg (2009)

VanderMey, Meyer, VanRys, and Sebranek. The College Writer: A Guide to Thinking, Writing, and Researching. 3rd edition. ISBN#978-0-547-14780-2. - Bev Braniff for Spring 2010.

VanderMey, Meyer, VanRys, and Sebranek. The College Writer's Handbook. 2007. ISBN# 978-0-618-491-698.

Supplemental Readers

The Mercury Reader: A Custom Publication. Boston, MA: Pearson, 2009. This custom reader includes over 600 classic and contemporary readings from several genres and pedagogical apparatus. The instructor chooses selections from an on-line database. Free evaluation copies are available, and the required order is 25 copies. www.mercuryreader.com. - Jacque Wilson-Jordan (2009)

Western Voices: An Anthology of Winning Essays from the Bruce H. Leland Essay Contest. Western Writing Program. 8th edition. Our own Western Voices makes a good supplemental reader for English 100 students. The text offers models of "real" student writing, and the students can see the results of the Writing Contest in print. An English 100 student, in addition, might benefit from a quick view of the types of writing that will follow in ENG 180 and 280. - (2009) I assign Western Voices by 100, 180, or 280 section of the reader. It makes a great reflective response assignment which encourages writers at all stages. - Carol Bollin.

English 280 Approved Textbooks

Ackley, Katherine Anne. Perspectives on Contemporary Issues. 4th edition. Boston: Thomson Wadsworth, 2006. - No description available. (Wort)

Axelrod, Rise B. and Charles R. Cooper. The St. Martin's Guide to Writing. 5th edition. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. - See ENG 180 description.

Ballenger, Bruce. The Curious Researcher. 6th edition. Longman, 2009. ISBN# 978-0-205-66611-9. Bruce Ballenger's introduction begins by redefining the "research paper." It addresses the differences between a research paper and a research report, levels of formality, essaying vs. arguing, and the need to gain authority over outside voices. It also introduces students to the need for curiosity when developing approaches to research papers. Ballenger suggests a five week plan for writing research papers, and each of the subsequent chapters focuses on benchmarks for each week. Chaper One, called "The First Week," introduces students to library and internet services. Chapter Two encourages students to narrow their topics and develop research strategies. Chapter Three stressese the need to write as you research (note cards, etc.). Chapters Four and Five focus on drafting and revising respectively. An MLA guide, APA guide, and introduction to writing about literary topics are offered as appendices. The Curious Researcher is about $45. (Kemper and Rahman) - Neil Baird (2009)

Barbet and Beau. From Critical Thinking to Argument 2nd edition. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008. This is a "bare-bones" book for 280. I use it and then supplement with a reader or readings pertaining to a topic. It has good chapters on analysis and critical reading. The chapters on argument are okay. There isn't as much documentation help as there could be but that can be remedied by the use of Hacker or the Purdue OWL site. The book sells for under $20, which makes the students happy. - Kathleen O'Donnell-Brown (2009). (Kathleen adds (Spring 2010) that there will be a new edition of the text.)

Fahnestock, Jeanne and Marie Secor. A Rhetoric of Argument. 3rd edition. McGraw-Hill, 2004. Jeanne Fahnestock and Marie Secore include a chapter each on four types of argument: definition, causal, evaluation, and proposal. Before those four chapters, the authors introduce the students to basic rhetorical material such as logical fallacies, logos, ethos, and pathos, while also discussing basic concerns such as audience and critical reading skills. After the chapters on the four types of arguments come two chapters on research; one is focused on finding searches and the other is primarily about how to use those sources properly. Throughout the first nine chapters, representative essays are included for discussion and four writing assignments. The book contains six chapters at the end that have thematically related readings. The topics are globalization, biotechnology, juvenile crime, sports, public taste, and the First Amendment. - Rick Clemons (2009)

Faigley, Lester and Jack Selzer. A Little Argument. 2010. - No description available. (Parkinson)

Gosharian and Krueger. Dialogues: An Argument Rhetoric and Reader. 6th edition. - No description available. (Krey, retired; 2009)

Iversen, Kristen. Shadow Boxing: Art and Craft in Creative Nonfiction. Longman. 2004. I like Shadow Boxing for its stories. I would certainly recommend it as a reader for anyone who is interested in having their class read, analyze, research, and write about creative nonfiction pieces. - Barbara Ashwood-Gegas (2009)

Lester, James D. and James D. Lester, Jr. Writing Research Papers. 13th edition. Longman-Pearson, 2010. Writing Reserach Papers capably leads students through the strategies for writing papers, including writing proposals, writing arguments, and writing researched papers of various kinds. The format is easy to read and makes the important points easy to find. It covers the research topic effectively, including how-to and source discussions. Documentation sections include newly updated MLA, APA, CMS, and CSE citation information. The book offers what ENG 280 students should learn. - Carol Bollin.

Lunsford, Andrea L. EasyWriter: A Pocket Reference. Bedford/St. Martin's. - No description available.

Lunsford, Andrea, John Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters. Everything's an Argument (with readings). 4th edition. Bedford/St. Martins, 2006. ISBN# 978-0312447502. Comes with or without readings. As the title suggests, everything is an argument for Andrea Lunsford and John Ruszkiewicz. The textbook offers a standard rhetoric for argumentation. Students will be introduced to different lines of argumentation (arguments based on emotion, values, character, and facts and reason) and different ways of structuring arguments (definition, evaluation, cause and effect, proposals, humor). Where this text differs from most argument rhetorics is the inclusion of visual images (photos, logos, webpages, etc.) and electronic forms of communication as "readings." This text is great for instructors wanting to incorporate visual argument into their courses but do not want a textbook that focuses primarily on visual rhetoric such as Donald and Christine McQuade's Seeing and Writing or Robert Atwan's Convergences. Everything's an Argument with readings is about $60. - Neil Baird (2009); Nancy Krey (retired)(2009).

The Informed Argument: Special Edition for WIU. The Informed Argument: Special Edition worked quite well for my students in 280 this semester as it allowed them access to pertinent material in two different textbooks. There are three chapters within this text that were selected from Writing Analytically and The Informed Argument. Making the decision to have this "special edition" allows my students to get the chapters I liked from the two separate texts for a total of $17.00. Since they are also purchasing a novel and A Pocket Style Manual, those who didn't save it anyway, this cuts down on their costs for the classroom materials. - Penny Rigg (2009)

Mauk and Metz. Inventing Arguments 2nd edition. Wadsworth, 2009. Twelve chapters on reading, researching, and writing arguments. Eleven chapters of readings: politics; men and women; family; race; environment; education; consumption; popular culture; technology; philosophy and humanity; religion. A variety of readings—poems, essayists, etc. Not as many student or researched examples as The Informed Argument. Costs around $85. (2009)

Missimer, Connie. Good Arguments: An Introduction to Critical Thinking. 4th edition. Prentice Hall, 2005. - No description available. (Parkinson)

Murray, Donald M. Write to Learn. Boston: Thompson Wadsworth, 2005. ISBN#978-1413001730. - See ENG 180 description.

Seyler, Dorothy U. Read, Reason, Write. 8th edition. McGraw-Hill, 2006. This is a 280 text that focuses on the interrelationships between reading, audience, analysis, argumentative strategies, and research. The book's organization is practical, building a foundation of critical reading skills, analysis, as well as various methods of responding to writing, including summary writing and critical analysis before moving on to detailing argumentative strategies and methods of building different types of arguments. The research component that follows the argumentative section is thorough and well illustrated. Throughout the text, Seyler uses both professional and student writing samples to illustrate methods she is describing, annotating student writings to further illustrate her points. The book also has a collection of professional essays which are categorized by general topic areas. For the new instructor, she has several exercises that can also be used to clarify important concepts or assess students' understanding. The newer editions have a website companion for both the instructor and the student which work with WebCT and Blackboard. If you like clarity and order, you will like this text. - Dee J. Hutinger (2009). New 9th edition available.

Veit and Gould. Writing, Reading, and Research. 7th edition. - Nancy Krey (retired) (2009).

Wysocki/Lynch. DK Handbook. 2011 ISBN# 13:978-0-205-74143-4. I used DK Handbook as the textbook for English 280 and really liked it. There is good information on analysis and argument that I have even used in previous semesters. There are examples that actually make sense to the students, and graphics that help lead them in the writing process, that they include in every step of the process (choosing a topic through publication) as well as the format information. There were several points included here that I've not been able to find in other textbooks, such as working and annotated bibliographies. My students liked the way grammar and mechanics were handled, too. An example sentence is given, demonstrating different sentence patterns, with the direction "If your sentence looks like this, turn to page xx" where the correct punctuation and explanation are provided. I would use this textbook every semester, but it is expensive new. - Penny Rigg