Becoming a College Writer

Becoming a College Writer is an encouraging new writing textbook that places the power of activity- and discussion-based classroom practices into the hands of students. Based on real writing instruction from real college faculty, this book blends a friendly, accessible voice with hands-on activities in the form of:
Annotated example papersHelpful and simple writing exercisesPractical guides for essential writing skillsThe writing processEssay structureParagraph and sentence structureSolutions to common problemsThese lessons address the necessary skill sets college writers must wield--not as masters, but as growing writers--in a variety of contexts. Built by experienced teaching faculty who work with students at all levels of readiness for college writing, this textbook focuses on providing detailed accounts of the most helpful feedback their students have identified from their assignments. The result is an extremely useful and balanced approach to helping students reach their maximum potential as a writer, all without bogging them down with too much information. Each lesson is further illustrated by diagrammed examples of what good writing looks like. These examples are formed by showing a typical but problematic example that struggling students might write first, followed by step-by-step instructions to improve that writing in the moment, simultaneously teaching the skills needed to do it the improved way in the future. Finally, a value-packed appendix provides exercises in revision and proofreading, demystifying these processes that so many students forego in order to turn their hurried assignments in on time. Becoming a College Writer gives students a reason to slow down, look twice, and hone their writing: perhaps the most important step of the writing process.