- Our Story
- Discipline
Discipline
back - Digital
- Solutions
- Contact Us
Concise Bedford Guide for Writers
First Edition| ©2014 X. J. Kennedy; Dorothy M. Kennedy; Marcia F. Muth
Built on the tradition of the bestselling textbook The Bedford Guide for College Writers, this new brief edition retains the authors’ process-oriented approach to college writing and focus on active learning. The streamlined guide introduces students to the most commonly-assigned writing s...
Built on the tradition of the bestselling textbook The Bedford Guide for College Writers, this new brief edition retains the authors’ process-oriented approach to college writing and focus on active learning. The streamlined guide introduces students to the most commonly-assigned writing strategies and situations and to the essentials of college-level research and documentation. The reader, located online, takes advantage of all the Web has to offer, giving students access not only to essays by well-known authors but to innovative, engaging multimodal texts that contribute to the guide’s emphasis on visual literacy. Hands-on "Learning by Doing" activities, available both in print and online, actively engage students in the writing process with the goal of developing skills transferable to higher-level courses and the workplace.
Paperback
from
$24.99
ISBN:9781457648762
Read and study old-school with our bound texts.
Retail:$24.99
Rent until 03/08/2020
Retail:$27.99
Rent until 04/17/2020
Retail:$31.99
Rent until 06/06/2020
Retail:$43.99
Rent until 12/03/2020
Retail:$70.99
Wholesale:$56.24

A briefer version of the rhetoric designed for active learning
A briefer version of the rhetoric designed for active learning
Built on the tradition of the bestselling textbook The Bedford Guide for College Writers, this new brief edition retains the authors’ process-oriented approach to college writing and focus on active learning. The streamlined guide introduces students to the most commonly-assigned writing strategies and situations and to the essentials of college-level research and documentation. The reader, located online, takes advantage of all the Web has to offer, giving students access not only to essays by well-known authors but to innovative, engaging multimodal texts that contribute to the guide’s emphasis on visual literacy. Hands-on "Learning by Doing" activities, available both in print and online, actively engage students in the writing process with the goal of developing skills transferable to higher-level courses and the workplace.
Features
Active learning at a great price. The Concise Bedford Guide for Writers offers the time-tested and reliable features of The Bedford Guide for College Writers at nearly half the size and price. Flexible approach to process. The book opens with a thorough overview of writing, reading, and critical thinking processes, covering everything from engaging with and responding to a written text, to drafting, developing and revising an essay and using evidence and logical reasoning to support arguments. Step-by-step guidance through a variety of situations and strategies. The text guides student through the most common writing assignments, while additional chapters present helpful strategies for each stage of the writing process and research strategies for locating, evaluating, and integrating sources. Interactive e-Pages take advantage of what the Web can do. An online reader includes classic essays by writers like Amy Tan and Stephen King as well as innovative readings that combine video, audio, and other media. Assignable "Learning by Doing" activities give students opportunities to exercise their writing skills in an online setting.
Useful appendices on formatting, research, and editing. These brief guides provide practical instruction on formatting academic papers and performing effective research. Sample APA and MLA papers serve as helpful models for student writers, while a quick editing guide covers the most frequent grammar and punctuation issues.
New to This Edition
"For a ‘concise’ edition, there is certainly a lot of information here. The book clearly covers nearly every point in both Comp I and Comp II." —Todd Bunnell, Mississippi University for Women

Concise Bedford Guide for Writers
First Edition| ©2014
X. J. Kennedy; Dorothy M. Kennedy; Marcia F. Muth
Digital Options

Concise Bedford Guide for Writers
First Edition| 2014
X. J. Kennedy; Dorothy M. Kennedy; Marcia F. Muth
Table of Contents
A Writer’s GuidePART ONE: A College Writer’s Processes Introduction: Meeting College Expectations 1. Writing Processes Writing, Reading, and Critical Thinking A Process of Writing Getting StartedGenerating Idease-Pages Learning by Doing: Analyzing Audience Learning by Doing: Reflecting on IdeasPlanning, Drafting, and DevelopingLearning by Doing: Reflecting on DraftsRevising and EditingLearning by Doing: Reflecting on Finishing Purpose and Audience Writing for a ReasonLearning by Doing: Considering PurposeWriting for Your AudienceLearning by Doing: Considering AudienceTargeting a College AudienceLearning by Doing: Considering a College AudienceAdditional Writing Activities 2. Reading ProcessesA Process of Critical Reading Learning by Doing: Describing Your Reading StrategiesGetting Started Preparing to ReadLearning by Doing: Preparing to ReadResponding to ReadingLearning by Doing: Annotating a PassageLearning by Doing: Responding in a Reading JournalLearning from Another Writer: Reading Summary and Response- Student Summary and Response: Olof Eriksson, The Problems with Masculinity
- Student Critical Reading Response: Alley Julseth, Analyzing "The New Literacy"
Learning by Doing: Reading Critically
- Michael Shermer, The Science of Righteousness
- Student Rhetorical Analysis: Richard Anson, Young Americans and Media News
- Student Rhetorical Analysis: Richard Anson, Young Americans and Media News
- David Rothkopf, A Proposal to Draft America's Elderly
- Russell Baker, The Art of Eating Spaghetti
- Student Essay: Robert G. Schreiner, What Is a Hunter?
- e-Pages Howie Chackowicz, The Game Ain't Over 'til The Fatso Man Sings [Radio Story]
- Eric Liu, The Chinatown Idea
- Student Essay: Alea Eyre, Stockholm
- e-Pages Multiple Photographers, Observing the Titanic: Past and Present [Visual Essay]
- David Brooks, The Opportunity Gap
- Student Essay: Jacob Griffin, Karate Kid vs. Kung Fu Panda: A Race to the Olympics
- e-Pages National Geographic Editors, Hurricane Katrina Pictures: Then & Now, Ruin and Rebirth [Visual Essay]
- Suzan Shown Harjo, Last Rites for Indian Dead
- Student Essay: Marjorie Lee Garretson, More Pros Than Cons in a Meat-Free Life
- e-Pages UNICEF Editors, Dirty Water Campaign [Video]
- Scott Tobias, The Hunger Games
- Student Essay: Elizabeth Erion, Internship Program Falls Short
- e-Pages Consumer Reports Editors, Best Buttermilk Pancakes [Video]
- Jake Halpern, The Popular Crowd
- Abigail Marchand: Student Essay, The Family Dynamic
- e-Pages Research Cluster: Celebrity Culture [Text, Audio, and Video]
- Cary Tennis, Why am I Obsessed with Celebrity Gossip? [Advice Column]
- Karen Sternheimer, Celebrity Relationships: Why Do We Care? [Video]
- Tom Ashbrook and Ty Burr, The Strange Power of Celebrity [Audio Interview]
- Timothy J. Bertoni and Patrick D. Nolan, Dead Men Do Tell Tales [Academic Paper]
- Student Analysis of an Advertisement: Rachel Steinhaus, "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit"
- e-Pages Student Visual Essay: Shannon Kintner, Charlie Living with Autism
- e-Pages Portland State University Writing Center, Sample E-mail to an Instructor [Video Tutorial]
Learning by Doing: Contacting Your Instructor
Online Profile
Learning by Doing: Posting a Personal Profile
Learning by Doing: Introducing a Classmate
Online Threaded Discussions or Responses
Learning from Other Writers: Threaded Discussion
- Student Online Threaded Discussion: Instructor Kathleen Beauchene and Students Cristina Berrios, Joshua Tefft, Leah Threats, Arthur Wasilewski, and Joel Torres, Discussion of Writing Processes
Learning by Doing: Joining a Threaded Discussion
File ManagementLearning by Doing: Preparing a TemplateLearning by Doing: Organizing Your Files
Additional Writing Assignments PART THREE: A Writer’s Strategies Introduction: Expanding Your Resources12. Strategies for Generating Ideas Finding IdeasBuilding from Your Assignment
Learning by Doing: Building from Your Assignment
Brainstorming
e-Pages Learning by Doing: Brainstorming from a Video
Learning by Doing: BrainstormingFreewritingLearning by Doing: FreewritingDoodling or SketchingLearning by Doing: Doodling or SketchingMappingLearning by Doing: MappingImagining Learning by Doing: ImaginingAsking a Reporter’s Questions
Learning by Doing: Asking a Reporter’s QuestionsSeeking Motives
Learning by Doing: Seeking Motives
Keeping a Journal
Learning by Doing: Keeping a Journal
Getting ReadySetting Up Circumstances
Preparing Your Mind
Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Generating Ideas
13. Strategies for Stating a Thesis and PlanningShaping Your Topic for Your Purpose and Your Audiencee-Pages Learning by Doing: Analyzing a Thesis
Learning by Doing: Considering Purpose and Audience
Stating and Using a ThesisLearning by Doing: Identifying Theses
How to Discover a Working Thesis
Learning by Doing: Discovering a ThesisHow to State a Thesis
Learning by Doing: Examining Thesis Statements
How to Improve a Thesis
Take Action Building a Stronger Thesis
How to Use a Thesis to Organize
Learning by Doing: Using a Thesis to Preview
Organizing Your IdeasGrouping Your Ideas
Learning by Doing: Clustering
Outlining
Learning by Doing: Moving from Outline to Thesis
Learning by Doing: Responding to an Outline
Learning by Doing: Outlining
Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Planning
14. Strategies for Drafting Making a Start Enjoyable Restarting Paragraphinge-Pages Learning by Doing: Identifying Topic Sentences
e-Pages Learning by Doing: Identifying Transitions
Using Topic SentencesLearning by Doing: Shaping Topic Sentences
Writing an Opening Writing a ConclusionLearning by Doing: Opening and Concluding
Adding Cues and ConnectionsLearning by Doing: Identifying Transitions
Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Drafting
15. Strategies for Revising and Editing Re-viewing and RevisingRevising for Purpose and Thesis
Revising for Audience
Revising for Structure and Support
Learning by Doing: Tackling Macro Revision
Working with a Peer Editor
Meeting with Your Instructor
Decoding Your Instructor’s Comments
Revising for Emphasis, Conciseness, and ClarityStressing What Counts
Cutting and Whittling
Keeping It Clear
Learning by Doing: Tackling Micro Revision
Editing and ProofreadingEditing
Proofreading
Learning by Doing: Editing and Proofreading
Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Revising and Editing
e-Pages Learning by Doing: Editing Sentences
PART FOUR: A Writer's Research ManualIntroduction: Investigating Questions 16. Planning Your Research Project Beginning Your InquiryThe Assignment: Writing from Sources
Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Research
Asking a Research QuestionExploring Your Territory
Turning a Topic into a Question
Learning by Doing: Polling Your Peers
Surveying Your Resources
e-Pages Learning by Doing: Narrowing Online Research
Using Keywords and Links
Learning by Doing: Proposing Your Project
Managing Your ProjectRecording Information
Starting a Research Archive
Learning by Doing: Interviewing a Researcher
17. Working with SourcesDrawing the Details from Your SourcesStarting a Working BibliographyLearning by Doing: Teaming Up for Source "Warm-Ups"e-Pages Learning by Doing: Practicing with Online Sources Capturing Information in Your NotesSource Navigator: Article in a Print Magazine
Source Navigator: Article in a Scholarly Journal from a Database
Source Navigator: Book
Source Navigator: Page from a Web Site
Quoting
Sample Quotations, Paraphrase, and Summary (MLA Style)
Paraphrasing
SummarizingMixing Methods
Learning by Doing: Capturing Information from Sources
Developing an Annotated BibliographyLearning by Doing: Writing an Annotation
18. Finding Sources Searching the InternetFinding Recommended Internet Resources
Selecting Search Engines
Learning by Doing: Comparing Web Searches
e-Pages Learning by Doing: Comparing Google and Database Searches
Conducting Advanced Electronic Searches
Finding Specialized Online Materials
Searching the LibraryLearning by Doing: Reflecting on Your Library Orientation Session
Learning by Doing: Brainstorming for Search Terms
Searching Library DatabasesLearning by Doing: Comparing Databases
Learning by Doing: Comparing Google and Database Searches
Using Specialized Library Resources 19. Evaluating Sources Evaluating Library and Internet SourcesLearning by Doing: Evaluating Your Sources
e-Pages Learning by Doing: Evaluating Online Sources
Who Is the Author?
Who Else Is Involved?
What Is the Purpose?
When Was the Source Published?
Where Did You Find the Source?
Why Would You Use This Source?
How Would This Source Contribute to Your Paper?
Learning by Doing: Adding Useful Sources
Reconsidering Purpose and Thesis 20: Integrating Sources Using Sources Ethically Capturing, Launching, and Citing EvidenceQuoting and Paraphrasing Accurately
e-Pages Learning by Doing: Quoting and Paraphrasing Accurately
Summarizing Concisely
Avoiding Plagiarism
Launching Source Material
Take Action Integrating and Synthesizing Sources
Learning by Doing: Connecting Your Sources
Citing Each Source Clearly
Synthesizing Ideas and SourcesLearning by Doing: Launching and Citing Your Sources
Learning by Doing: Synthesizing Your Sources
Appendices Quick Format GuideA. Following the Format for an Academic Paper B. Integrating and Crediting Visuals C. Preparing a Document TemplateD. Solving Common Format ProblemsE. Designing Other Documents for Your Audience Discovery ChecklistF. Organizing a Résumé and an Application Letter Quick Research Guide A. Defining Your Quest B. Searching for Recommended Sources C. Evaluating Possible SourcesD. Capturing, Launching, and Citing Evidence Added from Sources E. Citing and Listing Sources in MLA or APA Style Quick Editing Guide A. Editing for Common Grammar ProblemsB. Editing to Ensure Effective SentencesTake Action Improving Sentence Style
Take Action Improving Sentence ClarityC. Editing for Common Punctuation ProblemsD. Editing for Common Mechanics ProblemsSample MLA Research PaperCandace Rardon, Meet Me in the Middle: The Student, the State, and the School
Sample APA Research PaperJenny Lidington, Sex Offender Lists: A Never Ending Punishment A Writer’s E-Pages ReaderIntroduction: Reading to WriteFamiliesAmy Tan, Mother Tongue [Text]Richard Rodriguez, Public and Private Language [Text]StrategyOne Editors, Once a Mother, Always a Mother [Infographic]GOOD/Column Five Editors, Paternity Leave Around the World [Infographic]Men and WomenRobert Jensen, The High Cost of Manliness [Text]Julie Zeilinger, Guys Suffer from Gender Roles Too [Text]Deborah Tannen, Who Does the Talking Here? [Text]Jed Conklin, Boxing Beauties [Visual Essay]Popular CultureStephen King, Why We Crave Horror Movies [Text]Gerard Jones, Violent Media Is Good For Kids [Text]Chuck Klosterman, My Zombie, Myself [Text]Brad Shoup, ‘Harlem Shake’ vs. History: Is the YouTube Novelty Hits Era That Novel? [Multimodal Essay]Digital LivingElizabeth Stone, Grief in the Age of Facebook [Text]Libby Copeland, Is Facebook Making Us Sad? [Text]Sherry Turkle, How Computers Change the Way We Think [Text]Off Book Editors, Generative Art: Computers, Data, and Humanity [Video]Explorations on Living WellJuliet Schor, The Creation of Discontent [Text]Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr., In Defense of Consumerism [Text]Sarah Adams, Be Cool to the Pizza Dude [Audio and Text]Brent Foster, Highway Angel [Video]
- Student Online Threaded Discussion: Instructor Kathleen Beauchene and Students Cristina Berrios, Joshua Tefft, Leah Threats, Arthur Wasilewski, and Joel Torres, Discussion of Writing Processes
- e-Pages Portland State University Writing Center, Sample E-mail to an Instructor [Video Tutorial]
- e-Pages Student Visual Essay: Shannon Kintner, Charlie Living with Autism
- Michael Shermer, The Science of Righteousness
- Student Critical Reading Response: Alley Julseth, Analyzing "The New Literacy"

Concise Bedford Guide for Writers
First Edition| 2014
X. J. Kennedy; Dorothy M. Kennedy; Marcia F. Muth
Authors

X. J. Kennedy
X. J. Kennedy is an acclaimed poet, children’s author, college teacher, and textbook author. He has taught freshman composition at the University of Michigan; the University of North Carolina, Greensboro; and Tufts University. More than 2 million students have used his introductory literature texts and The Bedford Reader, now in its fourteenth edition.

Dorothy M. Kennedy
Dorothy M. Kennedy was a writer and editor whose articles and reviews have appeared in both professional and academic journals. She taught composition at the University of Michigan and Ohio University and, with X. J. Kennedy, was the recipient of the NCTE Teacher's Choice Award for Knock at a Star: A Child's Introduction to Poetry.

Marcia F. Muth
Marcia F. Muth teaches, writes, and edits. She has taught first-year writing at The Ohio State University and other introductory courses at St. Peter's College (Englewood Cliffs). Her many writing workshops have been sponsored by Fordham University, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and currently the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver. She is the author or coauthor of many composition textbooks and ancillaries, including The Bedford Guide for College Writers, The Concise Bedford Guide for Writers, Writing and Revising: A Portable Guide, Researching and Writing: A Portable Guide, and The St. Martin's Pocket Guide to Research and Documentation (all from Bedford/St. Martin's). Her projects as a writer and an editor have included Harold D. Lasswell: An Annotated Bibliography as well as many grant proposals, textbooks, ancillaries, reports, and other publications. She continues to learn how to write clearly and effectively from her students, editors, reviewers, and writing colleagues.

Concise Bedford Guide for Writers
First Edition| 2014
X. J. Kennedy; Dorothy M. Kennedy; Marcia F. Muth
Instructor Resources
Need instructor resources for your course?
Unlock Your ResourcesInstructor Resources
Download Resources
You need to sign in to unlock your resources.
Practical Suggestions for Teaching with The Concise Bedford Guide for College Writers (Online Only)
Dana Waters; Sylvia A. Holladay; Shilrley Morahan | First Edition | ©2014 | ISBN:9781457658549Confirm Request
You've selected:
Click the E-mail Download Link button and we'll send you an e-mail at with links to download your instructor resources. Please note there may be a delay in delivering your e-mail depending on the size of the files.
Warning! These materials are owned by Macmillan Learning or its licensors and are protected by copyright laws in the United States and other jurisdictions. Such materials may include a digital watermark that is linked to your name and email address in your Macmillan Learning account to identify the source of any materials used in an unauthorised way and prevent online piracy. These materials are being provided solely for instructional use by instructors who have adopted Macmillan Learning’s accompanying textbooks or online products for use by students in their courses. These materials may not be copied, distributed, sold, shared, posted online, or used, in print or electronic format, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the Macmillan Learning Terms of Use and any other reproduction or distribution is illegal. These materials may not be made publicly available under any circumstances. All other rights reserved. For more information about the use of your personal data including for the purposes of anti-piracy enforcement, please refer to Macmillan Learning's.Privacy Notice
Request Status
Thank you!
Your download request has been received and your download link will be sent to .
Please note you could wait up to 30 to 60 minutes to receive your download e-mail depending on the number and size of the files. We appreciate your patience while we process your request.
Check your inbox, trash, and spam folders for an e-mail from InstructorResources@macmillan.com.
If you do not receive your e-mail, please visit macmillanlearning.com/support.

Concise Bedford Guide for Writers
First Edition| 2014
X. J. Kennedy; Dorothy M. Kennedy; Marcia F. Muth
Related Titles
Available Demos
Select a demo to view:
We are processing your request. Please wait...
