Wordsmith: A Guide to Paragraphs and Short Essays (4th Edition) - Softcover

Arlov, Pamela

4.27

11 ratings by Goodreads

9780136050605: Wordsmith: A Guide to Paragraphs and Short Essays (4th Edition)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0136050603 ISBN 13: 9780136050605

Publisher: Longman, 2009

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The Wordsmith series is the value-priced option that students will appreciate while mastering key writing and grammar skills.

Pam Arlov wrote a textbook series that counters many of the objections students had about textbooks, such as:

Students find textbooks dry and tedious. Arlov includes thought-provoking chapter openers, plenty of visuals, and a conversational, engaging writing style that students really respond to.

Students find textbooks irrelevant to their lives. Arlov's coverage of the rhetorical modes is realistic and models real-life writing. She includes "Real Writing" examples in the modes chapters to make Wordsmith relevant to students' lives.

Students become frustrated if the entire text is not used in class. Wordsmith is 100 pages briefer than similar texts on the market and an affordable option. This more concise approach also does not overwhelm students with too much information. Wordsmith provides students with just the right balance of instruction and practice.

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From the Back Cover:

Focusing on developmental writing at the paragraph level, this comprehensive guide offers a clear and systematic presentation of writing and grammar, with myriad examples and exercises to support concepts and hone skills. Covering all steps of the writing process in the order in which a writer uses them, it provides strategies for creating topic sentences and writing paragraphs, and presents nine different methods of development with model paragraphs. It devotes an entire section to grammar, and finishes with a selection of short, entertaining readings -- complete with reading comprehension questions and writing assignments - that helps users take advantage of the strong connection between reading and writing. Offers consecutive chapters on prewriting, writing the paragraph, revising, and proofreading, and addresses the concepts of direction, unity, coherence and support as an integral part of writing supporting paragraphs. Explains grammatical concepts in a systematic and easy-to-understand manner, with many review exercises and interesting side boxes. Provides twenty brief, interesting readings that reinforce reading skills and illustrate different writing techniques. Includes lighthearted chapter-opening boxes, a running sample paragraph in progress, and tips for right-brained writers. For anyone wishing to strengthen their writing skills communicate more clearly.

About the Author:

Robert Taibbi, LCSW has 37 years experience primarily in community mental health where he has served as clinician, supervisor, and program director. His clinical focus has been primarily upon work with children, families, and couples.

Mr. Taibbi is author of 3 books: Doing Family Therapy: Craft & Creativity in Clinical Practice, now in its second edition and recently translated into Chinese and Portuguese; Doing Couple Therapy: Craft & Creativity in Work with Intimate Partners; and Clinical Supervision: A Four-Stage Process of Growth & Discovery. In addition he has contributed several book chapters, and published over 150 journal and magazines articles. He is an “expert” blogger for Psychology Today online, is advice columnist for Albemarle Family magazine, and has served as contributing editor to Your Health & Fitness. He has received 3 national writing awards from the Health Information Resource Center for Best Consumer Health Writing.

Mr. Taibbi provides trainings nationally in the areas of couple and family therapy, treatment of emotionally disturbed children and adolescents, and clinical supervision. He is graduate of Rutgers University and University of South Carolina, and has served as adjunct professor at several universities and colleges. He is currently in private practice in Charlottesville, Virginia.

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