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

by James A. Reinking, Robert von der Osten

Strategies for Successful Writing keeps instruction brief and to-the-point so that students spend less time reading about writing and more time writing. Instruction delivered through extensive examples helps students see what different strategies look like when applied in real texts.

Genres: Reference, Writing, Nonfiction

752 pages, 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]