Sin Boldly! Dr. Dave's Guide to Writing the College Paper - Softcover

Williams, Dave; Williams, David R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 073820370X ISBN 13: 9780738203706

Publisher: Basic Books, 2000

Synopsis

Tired of correcting the same mistakes year after year, hoarse from endless repetition of the same rules, at long last frustrated by the inability of students to grasp his words of wisdom, Professor David Williams has put it all down in a book: the dirty truth about what college professors and other teachers are really looking for as they grade student papers. Outrageous and wise, Sin Boldly! goes where no other how-to-write handbook has dared go before. Personal, perceptive, and purposefully provocative, this book offers students crucial advice on the entire writing process. From choosing a paper topic to adopting a persuasive voice, shaping an argument, and organizing an essay; from political correctness (or lack thereof) to matters of style, punctuation, and usage, Sin Boldly! is crammed with information, ideas, and examples that will entertain and instruct even the most confident students in their quest for the A+ they all think they deserve.

About this title

About the Author:

David R. Williams, a.k.a. Dr. Dave, earned a Masters at Harvard Divinity School trying to figure out the meaning of the word "God," and a Ph.D. in American Civilization at Brown University, where his weekly newspaper column offended every faction on campus. He teaches full-time as a part-time English professor at George Mason University, where he was honored with the 2000 Teaching Excellence Award. He lives in Swampoodle, Virginia. Visit his web site at www.sinboldly.com.

Review:

"Sin Boldly offers students the kind of insight we all hope they will acquire during their time with us, but which most of them, unfortunately, never do. Stop lamenting over those bits of wisdom you wish you'd written down - they're all here. Dr. Dave's book is witty and irreverent, and that means students will actually read it. Assign it in your courses, and your students will thank you." -- August McCarthy, Adjunct Professor of English Composition, George Mason University

"A must-read for anyone intimidated by writing assignments." -- Former 98 pound weakling

"A smart, sassy, and original approach to acing the college paper." -- "3.8" college student

"A traitor to his generation, Dr Dave reveals to us X'ers what the academic boomers are trying to pull." -- Reformed Hacker

"Dr Dave is the brat who pointed out that the emperor has no clothes." -- Thankful student

"Dr. Dave is full of excellent advice for students and professionals. I recommend it to my students and use it myself." -- Eliza McCormack, Editor and Lecturer, Cambridge Center for Adult Education

"Essential reading for any student stymied by a writing assignment." -- Perplexed Parent

"This little book cuts through the digested grasses left behind by the old bulls who run America's English departments with clear, entertaining, and practical advice....Sin Boldly! renders the teaching of composition redundant. It should be banned from bookstores, libraries, and course curricula." -- James Stripes, Ph.D., Adjunct Instructor, Whitworth College

"Writer's block? Here's how to get around it!" -- Former blockhead

About this edition

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 073820370X
• ISBN 13: 9780738203706
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 202