Strategy and Structure: Short Readings for Composition

Strategy and Structure contains 37 short readings arranged by rhetorical patterns, which are presented as techniques or methods that enable a writer to fulfill the purpose of an essay. A broad and diverse selection of writing by powerful, popular writers such as Joan Didion, John Steinbeck, and Langston Hughes, are mixed with those of many writers never before anthologized. The collection provides challenging, stimulating readings chapter after chapter. In addition, the book contains a brief chapter on developing critical reading skills and an extensive chapter devoted to the writing process with a step-by-step explanation of how to write an essay. For those interested in improving their critical thinking, reading and writing skills.

If you want to write better, read more. This idea is not original; it was acknowledged by Benjamin Franklin, among others. But effective learning from reading goes beyond mere appreciation of the quality of writing and imitation of the writer's mastery in expressing the message. Improving writing through reading means recognizing the significance of an essay and then responding to it in some way. This book is designed to help readers develop those skills. Arranged by rhetorical patterns, this very readable book discusses the techniques or methods of presentation that enable a writer to create an effective essay. The book contains a brief chapter on developing critical reading skills, as well as an extensive chapter devoted solely to the writing process. Also included are a broad and diverse selection of writing by powerful, accomplished writers such as Joan Didion, John Steinbeck and Langston Hughes interspersed with never-before-anthologized writers such as reporter Steven A. Holmes and cartoonist Gary Larson.

Writing teachers and aspiring writers.