Contents
Section 1. The Writing Process
A. Overview of the Writing Process
B. Understanding Writing Assignments
C. Thinking about Audience
D. Generating Ideas
Section 2. Essay Structure
A. Shaping a Paragraph
B. Shaping an Essay
C. Re-Reading and Revising the Essay
D. A 10-Step Guide to the Writing Process
E. Sample Essay
Section 3. Patterns of Essay Organization
A. Narrative Essay
B. Process Essay
C. Comparison/Contrast Essay
D. Cause-and-Effect Essay
E. Argument Essay
F. Combining Patterns of Organization
Section 4. Research Paper
A. Choosing a Topic
B. Finding Sources
C. Taking Notes
D. Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Using Quotations
E. Outlining
F. Writing Thesis Statements
G. Writing Complete Drafts
H. Proofreading
I. Citation Style Guides
J. APA Style: References, Format, and Sample Paper
K. MLA Style: Works Cited, Format, and Sample Paper
Section 5. Grammar and Style
A. Word Form
B. Articles
C. Prepositions
D. Word Choice in Formal Writing Style
E. Reference Words: Pronouns and Synonyms
F. Reducing Wordiness
G. Parts of a Sentence
H. Subject-Verb Agreement
I. Run-On Sentences and Sentence Fragments
J. Comma Splice
K. Adjective Clauses
L. Parallel Structure
M. Sentence Combining
N. Sentence Variety
Section 6. Punctuation
A. Period
B. Question Mark
C. Exclamation Point
D. Comma
E. Semicolon
F. Colon
G. Hyphen
H. Dash
I. Double Quotation Marks
K. Parentheses
L. Brackets
M. Apostrophe
O. Capital Letters
P. Indentation of Paragraphs and Quotations
Q. Abbreviation Period
Section 7. Quick Reference
A. Connections between Ideas
B. Words Often Confused
C. Active and Passive Voice
D. Verb Tenses
E. Irregular Verb Forms
F. Gerunds and Infinitives
G. Using Prepositions
Section 8. Special Types of Writing
A. Email Guidelines
B. Resumes
C. Cover Letters
D. Personal Statements
Common Correction Symbols for Editing
Glossary
Answer Key
Index