Strategies for Successful Writing : A Rhetoric, Research Guide, Reader, and Handbook

by James A. Reinking, Robert von der Osten

Written in a clear, engaging style, this best-selling book combines four books—a rhetoric, a research guide, a reader, and a handbook—into one convenient tool. The student examples and essays help represent realistic, achievable goals for users. The Rhetoric section presents a full range of writing strategies, along with chapters on paragraphs, sentences, style, and three specialized types of writing. This section also includes an in-depth chapter on planning and drafting, as well as one on revising and editing a paper. The Research Guide section includes three comprehensive chapters that make supplemental handouts or guides unnecessary. The Reader section contains forty-five essays that illustrate the different writing strategies and display a wide variety of styles, tones, and themes. The Handbook section offers easy access to the major elements of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics, and includes a unit on spelling and a glossary of word usage. Appropriate as an on-the-job reference tool for anyone wanting to write clear, accurate reports, memorandums, and letters.

Genres: Reference, Writing, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[BlackbirdFrenzy Meagher · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine as a technical overview but nothing special. Reading about writing isn't writing.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's the thing: this text is bare bones and mostly "just the facts Ma'am"; just the thing for community college or non-English major students. I've found the "Reader" section, which contains real-life essays on topics from immigration to machsimo to defining family, to be a useful supplement for modeling examples of writing topics, strategies, and architecture. Plus, the TOC sports a cross-reference that matches up the categories of the essays in the "Reader" section to the "Rhetoric" section, so I don't have to flog my brain, and, gasp -- do it myself.

[Meltha · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not perfect, this really does work as a good composition textbook. It's clear, provides a workable number of readings from which to select, and succeeds in getting to the point. I admit, though, that I've never used the grammar section.

[Samantha Garlock]

Hey it is a textbook give me a break! ;)

[Lucille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still refer to this book.

[Kareena]

Read the chapters that were required for my English course. [March 27, 2015]