Call to Write, Brief Edition, Paper, The

With a focus on real-world writing, including diverse media, a treatment of visual literacy, and an emphasis on the ethics of writing, the Fourth Edition of The Call to Write continues to break new ground in composition. Organized by genres—letters, memoirs, public documents, profiles, reports, commentaries, proposals, and reviews—this innovative rhetoric gives students the practice they need to write both in college and in the public sphere. Connecting writing to everyday life, including college and work, it shows students the impact of writing and gives them the skills to help them write well. A strong emphasis on public writing promotes civic involvement through writing—to inform the public, to shape opinion, to advocate change, and so on—while relevant, provocative readings help students to understand the concept of being called to write" in response to a personal, community, or societal need."

The Call to Write contains relevant, provocative readings that underscore when and why citizens are called to write, as well as instructional sections for successful writing in academic, professional and public spheres. A strong focus on public writing (or civic discourse) promotes the idea of writers as "citizens." The demands and challenges of writing in four broad areas are discussed: everyday life, school, the public sphere, and the workplace. Core chapters cover writing in eight different genres: letters, memoirs, public documents, profiles, informational brochures and websites, commentaries, proposals, and reviews. Samples of public writing-ranging from speeches, news stories, websites, and op-ed pieces, to comic strips, graffiti, listservs, and newsletters-appear in each chapter to inspire and educate. A new chapter on "Crafting Writing" makes it easier than ever to consult basic writing strategies that can be used in any genre, depending on the writing context, but are located in one section to make for easier referencing and use. The Second Edition offers new and expanded coverage of multimedia, including a brand-new chapter on writing brochures and Web sites, plus new information on Web rhetoric and Web culture. This hardcover version, also, includes a grammar handbook. For those who have an interest in social issues and would like to develop their reading, writing and critical thinking skills.