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

by James A. Reinking, Robert von der Osten

For first-year courses in Composition/Rhetoric. This version of Strategies for Successful Writing: A Rhetoric, Research Guide, Reader and Handbook has been updated to reflect the 8th Edition of the MLA Handbook (April 2016)*

A four-in-one guide for writing in the modes -- a rhetoric, research guide, reader, and handbook
At every step of the writing process, Strategies for Successful Writing supports students as they learn to compose in the rhetorical modes. Over 100 short examples demonstrate writing concepts and strategies, so that they can recognize them more easily in the longer reading selections and apply them in their own compositions. Instruction is kept brief and to the point, so that students spend more time writing and less time reading about writing. Perfect for those seeking support for participating in academic discourse for the first time, this four-in-one guide may be the only text students will need for the composition course.
* The 8th Edition introduces sweeping changes to the philosophy and details of MLA works cited entries. Responding to the "increasing mobility of texts," MLA now encourages writers to focus on the process of crafting the citation, beginning with the same questions for any source. These changes, then, align with current best practices in the teaching of writing which privilege inquiry and critical thinking over rote recall and rule-following.

Genres: Reference, Writing, Nonfiction

688 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]