Digital Options

Achieve

Achieve is a comprehensive set of interconnected teaching and assessment tools that incorporate the most effective elements from Macmillan Learning's market leading solutions in a single, easy-to-use platform.

Schedule Achieve Demo

E-book

Read online (or offline) with all the highlighting and notetaking tools you need to be successful in this course.

Learn About E-book

Table of Contents

A WRITER’S GUIDE
Part One: A College Writer’s Processes
1. Writing Processes
Writing, Reading, and Critical Thinking
A Process of Writing
 Generating Ideas
 Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Ideas
 Planning, Drafting, and Developing
 Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Drafts
 Revising and Editing
Understand Your Writing Situation
 Writing with Purpose
 Learning by Doing: Writing with Purpose
 Writing for Your Audience
 Learning by Doing: Writing for Multiple Audiences
 Writing in Different Genres
 Learning by Doing: Experimenting with Genres
 Learning by Doing: Analyzing a Piece of Writing
Additional Writing Activities

2. Reading Processes
A Process of Critical Reading
 Preparing to Read
 Responding as You Read
 Learning by Doing: Annotating a Passage
 Learning by Doing: Keeping a Reading Journal
Learning from Other Writers: Summarizing and Responding
 Robert Jensen, From The High Cost of Manliness
Student Summary and Response: Olof Eriksson, The Problems with Masculinity
Reading on Literal and Analytical Levels
 Learning by Doing: Reading Analytically
 Generating Ideas from Reading
Learning from Other Writers: Responding Critically
 Neil DeGrasse Tyson, From  The Cosmic Perspective
Student Critical Reading Response: Ayesha James, Responding to Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s “The Cosmic Perspective”
 Learning by Doing: Reading Critically
Reading Online and Multimodal Texts
 Learning by Doing: Reading a Website
Additional Writing Assignments

3. Critical Thinking Processes
A Process of Critical Thinking
 Applying Critical Thinking in Daily Life
 Learning by Doing: Thinking Critically When Facing a Problem
 Applying Critical Thinking to Academic Problems
Thinking Critically about Your Own Writing: Self-Reflection
 How to Reflect on Your Own Writing
 Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Your College Career
Contexts for Self-Reflection
 Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Your Course Syllabus
Learning from Other Writers: Self-Reflection
Student Self-Reflection: Khalia Nadam, What I Learned from My Research Project
Additional Writing Activities

Part Two: A Writer’s Situations
4. Recalling and Observing
Why Recalling and Observing Matter
Learning from Other Writers
Margaret Rhee, Returning to My Father's Koreatown
Student Essay: Robert G. Schreiner, What Is a Hunter?
Learning by Writing
 The Assignment: Recalling a Personal Experience or Observing a Scene
 Generating Ideas
Planning, Drafting, and Developing
Revising and Editing
Learning by Doing: Strengthen Your Main Idea, Impression, or Thesis
Reviewing and Reflecting
Additional Writing Assignments

5. Interviewing a Subject
Why Interviewing for Information Matters
Learning from Other Writers
Jon Ronson, How One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco’s Life
Student Essay: Lorena A. Ryan-Hines, Looking Backwards, Moving Forward
Learning by Writing
 The Assignment: Writing an Essay Based on an Interview
 Generating Ideas
Learning by Doing: Analyzing Interview Questions
Learning by Doing: Practicing by Interviewing a Classmate
 Planning, Drafting, and Developing
 Revising and Editing
 Learning by Doing: Supporting a Thesis
Reviewing and Reflecting
Additional Writing Assignments

6. Comparing and Contrasting
Why Comparing and Contrasting Matter
Learning from Other Writers
Richard Fry, Ruth Igielnik, Eileen Patten, How Millennials Today Compare with their Grandparents 50 Years Ago
Student Essay: Isaac Sinclair, E-Cigarettes Pose a Hidden Dangers
Learning by Writing
The Assignment: Comparing and Contrasting
 Generating Ideas
 Learning by Doing: Making a Comparison-and-Contrast Table
 Planning, Drafting, and Developing
Learning by Doing: Building Cohesion with Transitions
 Revising and Editing
Reviewing and Reflecting
Additional Writing Assignments

7. Explaining Causes and Effects
Why Explaining Causes and Effects Matters
Learning from Other Writers
Simon Gottschalk, In Praise of Doing Nothing: Why Leisure Time is Good for Productivity
Student Essay: Yun Yung Choi, Invisible Women
Learning by Writing
 The Assignment: Explaining Causes and Effects
 Generating Ideas
Learning by Doing: Determining Causes and Effects
 Planning, Drafting, and Developing
 Learning by Doing: Focusing Your Introduction
 Revising and Editing
Reviewing and Reflecting
Additional Writing Assignments

8. Taking a Stand
Why Taking a Stand Matters
Learning from Other Writers
Suzan Shown Harjo, Last Rites for Indian Dead
Student Essay: Marjorie Lee Garretson, More Pros Than Cons in a Meat-Free Life
Learning by Writing
 The Assignment: Taking a Stand
 Generating Ideas
Learning by Doing: Testing Potential Topics
Learning by Doing: Supporting a Claim
Learning by Doing: Addressing Counterarguments
 Planning, Drafting, and Developing
Learning by Doing: Identifying Types of Appeals
 Revising and Editing
Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Your Draft
Reviewing and Reflecting
Additional Writing Assignments

9. Proposing a Solution
Why Proposing a Solution Matters
Learning from Other Writers
Wilbert Rideau, Why Prisons Don’t Work
Student Essay: Lacey Taylor, It’s Not Just a Bike
Learning by Writing
 The Assignment: Proposing a Solution
 Generating Ideas
Learning by Doing: Describing Your Audience
 Planning, Drafting, and Developing
Learning by Doing: Proposing a Solution
 Revising and Editing
Learning by Doing: Revising for Clear Organization
Reviewing and Reflecting
Additional Writing Assignments

10. Evaluating and Reviewing
Why Evaluating and Reviewing Matter
Learning from Other Writers
James Bennett, If You’re Mad about “DAMN.,” You Probably Need to Listen to More Hip Hop
Student Essay: Elizabeth Erion, Internship Program Falls Short
Learning by Writing
 The Assignment: Writing an Evaluation
 Generating Ideas
Learning by Doing: Developing Criteria
 Planning, Drafting, and Developing
Learning by Doing: Stating Your Overall Judgment
Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Product Reviews
 Revising and Editing
Reviewing and Reflecting
Additional Writing Assignments

11. Supporting a Position with Sources
Why Supporting with Sources Matters
Learning from Other Writers
Charles M. Blow, Black Dads Are Doing Best of All
Student Essay: Abigail Marchand, The Family Dynamic
Learning by Writing
 The Assignment: Supporting a Position with Sources
 Generating Ideas
 Planning, Drafting, and Developing
 Learning by Doing: Strengthening Your Position as you Gather Evidence
Learning by Doing: Avoiding Accidental Plagiarism
The Academic Exchange
 Revising and Editing
Reviewing and Reflecting
Additional Writing Assignments

12. Responding to Literature 
Why Responding to Literature Matters
Learning from Other Writers 
Chitra Banerjee, Clothes
Preparing to Write a Literary Analysis 
Student Literary Analysis: Amina Khan, “Saris, Jeans, and Independence: The Symbolism of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s ‘Clothes’” 
Learning by Writing 
The Assignment: Analyzing a Literary Work  
Generating Ideas 
Learning by Doing: Writing a Paraphrase of a Poem
Planning, Drafting, and Developing 
Learning by Doing: Examining Fiction Genres
Learning by Doing: Developing Your Thesis
Revising and Editing 
Reviewing and Reflecting
Additional Writing Assignments 

13. Responding to Visual Representations 
Why Responding to Visual Representation Matters
Learning from Other Writers
Student Analysis of an Advertisement: Logan Sikora, “The Attention Test”
Learning by Writing
 The Assignment: Writing a Visual Analysis
 Generating Ideas
Learning by Doing: Seeing the Big Picture 
Learning by Doing: Observing Characteristics 
Learning by Doing: Interpreting Meaning 
 Planning, Drafting, and Developing
Revising and Editing 
Reviewing and Reflecting 
Additional Writing Assignments

Part Three: A Writer’s Strategies 
14. Strategies: A Case Study
Generating Ideas 
Planning, Drafting, and Developing 
Rough Draft with Peer and Instructor Responses 
Learning by Doing Responding as a Peer 
Revising and Editing 
Revised and Edited Draft  
Final Draft for Submission: Nick Catizone, “Smartphone Addiction: Which Generations Is to Blame?”
Reflecting as a Writer 
Learning by Doing Writing a Reflective Letter 
Reflective Portfolio Letter 

15. Strategies for Generating Ideas 
Finding Ideas 
Building from Your Assignment 
Brainstorming 
Learning by Doing Brainstorming or Freewriting
Doodling or Sketching 
Mapping 
Imagining 
Asking a Reporter’s Questions 
Learning by Doing Asking a Reporter’s Questions 
Keeping a Journal 
Learning by Doing Keeping a Journal 
Getting Ready to Write
Setting Up Circumstances 

16. Strategies for Stating a Thesis and Planning 
Shaping Your Topic for Your Purpose and Your Audience 
Considering Purpose and Audience
Stating and Using a Thesis 
Learning by Doing Identifying Theses 
How to Discover a Working Thesis 
Learning by Doing Discovering a Thesis 
How to State a Thesis 
Learning by Doing Examining Thesis Statements 
How to Use a Thesis to Organize 
Learning by Doing Using a Thesis to Preview 
Organizing Your Ideas 
Grouping Your Ideas 
Outlining 
Learning by Doing Moving from Outline to Thesis 
Learning by Doing Outlining 

17. Strategies for Drafting 
Making a Start Enjoyable 
Restarting 
Paragraphing 
Using Topic Sentences 
Learning by Doing Shaping Topic Sentences
Writing an Opening 
 Learning by Doing Trying Different Methods of Writing an Opening
Writing a Conclusion 
Learning by Doing Evaluating Openings and Conclusions 
Adding Cues and Connections 

18. Strategies for Developing 
Learning by Doing Editing Sentences 
Giving Examples 
Learning by Doing Giving Examples 
Providing Details 
Learning by Doing Providing Details 
Defining 
Learning by Doing Developing an Extended Definition
Reasoning Inductively and Deductively 
Analyzing a Process 
Learning by Doing Analyzing a Process 
Dividing and Classifying 
Comparing and Contrasting 
Learning by Doing Comparing and Contrasting 
Identifying Causes and Effects 
Learning by Doing Identifying Causes and Effects 

19. Strategies for Revising and Editing 
Re-viewing and Revising 
Revising for Purpose and Thesis 
Revising for Audience 
Revising for Structure and Support 
Learning by Doing Tackling Macro Revision 
Working with a Peer Editor 
Questions for a Peer Editor 
Meeting with Your Instructor  
Revising for Emphasis, Conciseness, and Clarity 
Stressing What Counts 
Cutting and Whittling 
Keeping It Clear 
Editing and Proofreading 
Editing 
Proofreading 
Learning by Doing Reflecting on Past Grades and Comments

20. Strategies for Creating Presentations and Portfolios 
Presentations 
 Preparing Presentations
Using Visuals 
Learning from Other Writers: Visuals for Oral Presentations
Student Presentation: Andrew Dillon Bustin, Traditional Urban Design 
Portfolios
 Keeping a Portfolio
 Understanding Portfolio Assessment
 Tips for Keeping a Portfolio

Book 2: A WRITER’S READER
21. America
Shankar Vedantam et al, The Huddled Masses and the Myth of America
Judith Ortiz Cofer, More Room
Sophie Egan, The American Food Psyche
Stephen Kinzer, Joining the Military Doesn't Make You a Hero (paired reading)
Sidra Montgomery, The Emotion Work of “Thank You for Your Service” (paired reading)

22. Language
Jenny Jarvis, Trigger Happy
James Baldwin, from If Black English is not a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?
Yesenia Padilla, What Does ‘Latinx’ Mean? A Look at the Term That's Challenging Gender Norms
Richard Rodriguez, Public and Private Language (paired reading)
Amy Tan, Mother Tongue (paired reading)

23. Popular Culture
Stephen King, Why We Crave Horror Movies
Kurt Dean Squire and Matthew Gaydos, No, Fortnite Isn’t Rotting Kids’ Brains. It May Even Be Good for Them.
Kate O’Neill, Facebook’s “10 Year Challenge” Is Just a Harmless Meme—Right?
Jason Johnson, How Stan Lee Taught a Generation of Black Nerds about Race, Art, and Activism (paired reading)
Jeffrey A. Brown, “I’m the Goshdarn Batman”—the Rise of Cute Superheroes (paired reading)

24. Inequality
Shanna Kattari, Transgender and Non-Binary People Face Health Care Discrimination
Vanessa De Luca, Serena Williams Was Blamed for Defending Herself
Victoria Rosenboom and Kristin Blagg, from Disconnected from Higher Education
Elizabeth Kolbert, The Psychology of Inequality (paired reading)
Keith Payne, from The Broken Ladder (paired reading)

25. Gender
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Happy Feminist
Brent Staples, Black Men and Public Space 
Peggy Orenstein, from Girls and Sex
Alina Bradford, What Is Transgender?
Sally Hines, The False Opposition Between Trans and Feminist Rights

Book 3: A WRITER’S RESEARCH MANUAL
26. Defining Your Research Project
 Learning by Doing: Reflecting on Research
Research Assignments: Working from Sources
The Research Proposal
The Source Evaluation
The Annotated Bibliography
The Outline
The Research Paper
Creating a Schedule
Choosing a Topic
Narrowing Your Topic
Turning a Topic into a Question
 Moving from Research Question to Working Thesis
 Plan Your Research
Sample Assignment: Creating a Research Proposal

27. Finding Sources
Searching the Internet
Finding Recommended Internet Sources
Selecting Search Engines
Conducting Advanced Electronic Searches
Finding Specialized Online Materials
Searching the Library
Using the Library Catalog
Searching Library Databases
Using Specialized Library Resources
Finding Sources in the Field
Interviewing
Observing
Using Questionnaires
Corresponding
Attending Public and Online Events
Reconsidering Your Field Sources

28. Evaluating Sources
Assessing Reliability of Sources
Who Is Responsible for the Source?
What Type of Source Is It? 
Is the Source Scholarly or Popular?
What Is the Source’s Purpose and Bias? 
When Was the Source Published?
Assessing Relevance
Considering Your Purpose
Evaluating Online Sources with Healthy Skepticism
         Understanding a Site’s Purpose
         Recognizing Bias across the Political Spectrum
Fighting “Fake News”
         Recognizing “Clickbait”
         Distinguishing between News and Advertisements
         Being Wary of Social Media
         Authenticating Information
         Diversifying Your News Sources
Reviewing Your Sources
Sample Assignment: Preparing a Source Evaluation

29. Working with Sources
Managing Your Project
Starting a Working Bibliography
Keeping Track of Sources
Sample Assignment: Developing an Annotated Bibliography
Capturing Information without Plagiarizing
Quoting
Paraphrasing
Summarizing
Developing an Annotated Bibliography
Using Sources Ethically
Citing Source Material
Synthesizing Ideas and Sources

30. Writing a Research Paper
Planning with a Thesis Statement
Drafting
Using Your Sources to Support Your Ideas
Citing and Integrating Your Sources as You Draft
Beginning and Ending
Revising and Editing
Documenting Sources

31. MLA Style for Documenting Sources
Citing Sources in MLA Style
Listing Sources in MLA Style
Source Navigators: MLA 
A Sample MLA Research Paper
32. APA Style for Documenting Sources
Citing Sources in APA Style
Listing Sources in APA Style
Source Navigators: APA
A Sample APA Research Paper

Book 4: A WRITER’S HANDBOOK
Introduction: Grammar, or The Way Words Work 
Learning by Doing Creating an Error Log 
33. Basic Grammar
1.      Parts of Speech
2.      Subjects
3.      Verbs, Objects, and Complements
4.      Clauses and Phrases
5.      Sentence Structures

34. Grammatical Sentences 
6. Sentence Fragments 
7. Comma Splices and Fused Sentences 
8.       Verb Tense
9.       Irregular Verbs
10.     Verb Voice and Mood
11. Subject-Verb Agreement 
12. Pronoun Case 
13. Pronoun Reference 
14. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
15. Adjectives and Adverbs 
16. Shifts 

35. Effective Sentences 
Learning by Doing Focusing on Sentences 
17. Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
18. Missing Words 
19. Mixed Constructions 
20. Parallel Structure 
21. Coordination and Subordination 
22. Sentence Variety 

36. Word Choice 
23. Appropriateness 
24. Exact Words 
25. Bias-Free Language 
26. Wordiness 
27. A Glossary of Troublemakers 
Learning by Doing Refining Your Wording 

37. Punctuation 
Learning by Doing Tackling Punctuation Patterns 
28. End Punctuation 
29. Commas 
30.      Misuses of the Comma
31. Semicolons 
32. Colons 
33. Apostrophes 
34. Quotation Marks 
35. Dashes 
36. Parentheses, Brackets, and Ellipses 

38. Mechanics 
37. Abbreviations 
38. Capital Letters 
39. Numbers 
40. Italics 
41. Hyphens 
42. Spelling 
Answers for Lettered Exercises 
APPENDICES AND OTHER RESOURCES
Quick Format Guide
Quick Research Guide
Quick Editing Guide

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.

Related Titles

The Bedford Guide for College Writers with Reader, with 2020 APA and 2021 MLA Update

X.J. Kennedy; Dorothy Kennedy; Marcia Muth | Twelfth Edition | 2021 | ISBN:9781319457051

Learn More