Steps in Composition, 8th edition

This thematic text for basic writers features a unique instructional format that combines the fundamentals of grammar, mechanics, rhetoric, vocabulary, and spelling, with contemporary topics and participatory exercises that require students to get fully involved by creating, changing, rewriting, or correcting. Using an integrated “whole language” approach and continual reinforcement of skills, the text shows respect for students' intelligence, maturity, and interests.

• NEW - Nine modes now represented—Includes three model essays for each mode, a “Pointers for Writing” chart and structured exercises.

  • Offers all modes for flexible coverage.

• NEW - Five new articles—By noted authors such as Dave Barry, Ellen Goodman, and Martin Gottfried; accompanied by new visuals, Reading Survey questions, vocabulary materials, and Springboards to writingtopics.

  • Supplies students with current and relevant material on a variety of issues to stimulate interest and learning.

Flexible in format—the chapters can be used in whatever sequence suits the individual class and instructor. Each of the chapters follows the same instructional plan:

• Springboard to Thinking visual—Opens each chapter (e.g., photograph, cartoon, advertisement).

  • Stimulates questions to get students thinking about the contemporary issue that forms the chapter's theme.

• Thought-provoking essay.

  • Offers lively discussion of the chapter's theme.

• Reading Survey.

  • Encourages students to explore the essay topic further, while they develop skill in reading.

• Vocabulary Building section—Consists of words clustered around the major topic of the chapter and a variety of exercises.

  • Familiarizes students with a comfortable and correct use of these words.

• Spelling Lessons.

  • Helps students to master useful spelling rules and patterns.

• Grammar and Rhetoric Skills section.

  • Presents important grammatical or rhetorical steps to writing successful compositions in small easy-to-understand steps.

• Try It Out sections—Generously scattered throughout the explanations.

  • Provides opportunities for immediate practice.

• Comprehensive Practice Exercises—Follows each skills section, based on fascinating facts and unusual trivia.

  • Allows students to complete, rewrite, create, or otherwise become directly involved with the skill.

• Chapter Refresher—Exercises shown in student handwriting.

  • Illustrates unfinished work in need of correction so that students get a chance to polish cumulative skills derived from previous chapters.

• Springboards to Writing section—Concludes each chapter.

  • Invites students to apply their newly acquired skills to a variety of paragraph and essay writing topics based on the chapter's theme.

• Nine modes now represented—Includes three model essays for each mode, a “Pointers for Writing” chart and structured exercises.

  • Offers all modes for flexible coverage.

• Five new articles—By noted authors such as Dave Barry, Ellen Goodman, and Martin Gottfried; accompanied by new visuals, Reading Survey questions, vocabulary materials, and Springboards to writingtopics.

  • Supplies students with current and relevant material on a variety of issues to stimulate interest and learning.