The Prose Reader: Essays for Thinking, Reading and Writing

by Kim Flachmann, Michael Flachmann

For courses in English Composition. By thinking, reading, and writing on three increasingly difficult levels - literally, interpretively, and critically - students can better learn the processes and skills necessary to be successful in their classes and beyond. Based on the grounded assumption that lucid writing follows lucid thinking, Kim and Michael Flachmann have spent their years teaching and writing striving to help students think more clearly and logically - both in their minds and on paper. By thinking, reading, and writing on three increasingly difficult levels - literally, interpretively, and critically - students can better learn the processes and skills necessary to be successful in their classes and beyond. In demonstrating the vital interrelationship between reader and writer, this text provides students with prose models intended to inspire their own thinking and writing. These essays are intended to encourage students to improve their writing through a partnership with someone of the best examples of professional prose available today.

Genres: Academic

704 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2007

Reviews

[A. B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it cover to cover in a week's time.
I'm 20 years old. I LOVED every bit of it.
I wish they had used this in my high school.

This book offers complete explanations on how to write, how to read, how to think. It doesn't tell you what to think.
What I like most is that it gives you a taste of all types of pieces of literature, literature that maybe you wouldn't have known existed or known that you enjoyed reading before you read this book. It allows you to dip your feet into new worlds, tentatively test tasting a few pieces before you decide to delve in. This book is a wonderful "starter guide" for readers who want to explore deeper into the world of books, or for writers hoping to broaden their minds and reading experience and sharpen their skills.
The book encourages different perspectives, passion for truth and justice, and looking at things in numerable ways.
Anyone who reads these books can teach themselves: The authors fully equip them with what they need to achieve the same, if not better results by reading and teaching themselves compared to in class by a teacher.
My writing and reading skills actually HAVE improved after reading these stories presented in the book and after having analyzed them according to the methods and suggestions the book provides. I appreciate the way they repeat concepts and explain concepts and methods in different and thorough ways. I enjoyed EACH story in the book, I couldn't put it down!
There were spelling errors and grammatical mistakes, but that isn't too important. \

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can you say boring? OK, I know you can. This is pretty standard fair. Nothing new here. Nothing to see. "Just step away people and go about your lives . . . Please!" A blurb from a critique I found on goodreads states that "Prose models ARE INTENDED TO INSPIRE, encouraging improved writing with a partnership with SOME OF THE BEST EXAMPLES OF PROFESSIONAL PROSE AVAILABLE today (my CAPS added)." If this is inspirational, best-of prose then I'm checking out. How 'bout standard fair that blends in with the rest of the readers out there. Ho, hum.

[Rebecca Waring-Crane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the required text for my freshman English writing course. So far, so good.

[Tabatha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good compilation of essays so far, I've really enjoyed Wozencraft's "Notes From the Country Club"