Choices: A Basic Writing Guide with Readings

Everyone writes better when writing on something of interest, yet students in a developmental writing class too often feel the course is completely separate from their own lives and goals. Drawing on more than 30 combined years of classroom experience, Kate Mangelsdorf and Evelyn Posey, authors of Discoveries, for the paragraph to essay course, give students concrete strategies for uncovering ideas that matter to them -- and then provide step-by-step guidance for turning these ideas into solid college essays and other writing projects. With a tone that is clear yet supportive, Choices gives students detailed help with the skills needed for successful writing in college, from understanding writing as a process to taking essay exams, from using rhetorical strategies to conducting research. As ESL and developmental reading specialists, the authors are able to provide in-depth help in these crucial areas. Choices not only gives developing students the patient, detailed support they need but also helps them grow as thinkers and writers.

KATE MANGELSDORF is professor of English and director of rhetoric and developmental English at the University of Texas at El Paso, where she has also been director of composition and associate dean of University College. She was formerly coordinator of ESL writing at the University of Arizona, and she has also taught at Yavapai Community College. Mangelsdorf has published articles in the Journal of Second Language Writing, English Language Teaching Journal, and Teaching English in the Two Year College.

EVELYN POSEY is the Dorrance D. Roderick Endowed Professor and chair of the department of English at the University of Texas at El Paso. She has served as an associate vice president for instructional design and technology integration, associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts, director of English education in the department of English, and director of the West Texas Writing Project. Posey has published articles in journals such as Computers and Composition, The Journal of Developmental Education, and Teaching English in the Two-Year College.

Together, Mangelsdorf and Posey collaborated on Discoveries: A Step-by Step Guide to Writing Paragraphs and Essays (Bedford/St. Martins, 2006).