Writing first
Subtitle: practice in context : with readings
By: Laurie G. Kirszner, Stephen R. Mandell.
Contributors: Mandell, Stephen R.
Edition: 3rd ed.
Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's
Published: 2006
Place of publication: Boston
Number of pages: 723
ISBN-13: 9780312436551; 9780312434120; 9780312440909
Subjects: English language -- Rhetoric -- Problems, exercises, etc.; English language -- Grammar -- Problems, exercises, etc.; Report writing -- Problems, exercises, etc.
Genres: Problems, exercises, etc.
Table of contents: title: Writing paragraphs and essays; title: unit 1. Focus on paragraphs; title: 1. Writing a paragraph; title: A. Understanding paragraph structure; title: B. Focusing on your assignment, purpose, and audience; title: C. Finding ideas; title: D. Identifying your main idea; title: E. Choosing and arranging supporting points; title: F. Drafting your paragraph; title: G. Revising and editing your paragraph; title: 2. Fine-tuning your paragraph; title: A. Writing effective topic sentences; title: B. Writing unified paragraphs; title: C. Writing well- developed paragraphs; title: D. Writing coherent paragraphs; title: unit 2. Patterns of paragraph development; title: 3. Exemplification; title: A. Understanding exemplification; title: B. Writing an exemplification paragraph; title: 4. Narration; title: A. Understanding narration; title: B. Writing a narrative paragraph; title: 5. Description; title: A. Understanding description; title: B. Writing a descriptive paragraph; title: 6. Process; title: A. Understanding process; title: B. Writing a process paragraph; title: 7. Cause and effect; title: A. Understanding cause and effect; title: B. Writing a cause-and-effect paragraph; title: 8. Comparison and contrast; title: A. Understanding comparison and contrast; title: B. Writing a comparison-and-contrast paragraph; title: 9. Classification; title: A. Understanding classification; title: B. Writing a classification paragraph; title: 10. Definition; title: A. Understanding definition; title: B. Writing a definition paragraph; title: 11. Argument; title: A. Understanding argument; title: B. Writing an argument paragraph; title: unit 3. Focus on essays; title: 12. Writing an essay; title: A. Thinking about paragraphs and essays; title: B. Deciding on a topic; title: C. Finding ideas; title: D. Stating your thesis; title: E. Arranging supporting points; title: F. Drafting your essay; title: G. Revising and editing your essay; title: 13. Introductions and conclusions; title: A. Introductions; title: B. Conclusions; title: 14. Patterns of essay development; title: A. Exemplifications; title: B. Narration; title: C. Description; title: D. Process; title: E. Cause and effect; title: F. Comparison and contrast; title: G. Classification; title: H. Definition; title: I. Argument; title: Revising and editing your writing; title: unit 4. Writing effective sentences; title: 15. Writing simple sentences; title: A. Identifying subjects; title: B. Identifying prepositional phrases; title: C. Identifying verbs; title: 16. Writing compound sentences; title: A. Forming compound sentences with coordinating conjunctions; title: B. Forming compound sentences with semicolons; title: C. Forming compound sentences with conjunctive adverbs; title: 17. Writing complex sentences; title: A. Identifying complex sentences; title: B. Forming complex sentences with subordinating conjunctions; title: C. Forming complex sentences with relative pronouns; title: D. Punctuating with relative pronouns; title: 18. Achieving sentence variety; title: A. Varying sentence types; title: B. Varying sentence openings; title: C. Combining sentences; title: D. Varying sentence length; title: 19. Using parallelism; title: A. Recognizing parallel structure; title: B. Using parallel structure; title: 20. Using words effectively; title: A. Using specific words; title: B. Using concise language; title: C. Avoiding clichés; title: D. Using similes and metaphors; title: E. Avoiding sexist language; title: unit 5. Solving common sentence problems; title: 21. Run-ons and comma splices; title: A. Recognizing run-ons and comma splices; title: B. Correcting run-ons and comma splices; title: 22. Sentence fragments; title: A. Recognizing sentence fragments; title: B. Correcting phrase fragments; title: C. Correcting incomplete verbs; title: D. Correcting dependent clause fragments; title: 23. Subject-verb agreement; title: A. Understanding subject-verb agreement; title: B. Avoiding agreement problems with be, have, and do; title: C. Avoiding agreement problems when a prepositional phrase comes between the subject and the verb; title: D. Avoiding agreement problems with indefinite pronouns as subjects; title: E. Avoiding agreement problems when the verb comes before the subject; title: F. Avoiding agreement problems with the relative pronouns who, which, and that; title: 24. Illogical shifts; title: A. Avoiding illogical shifts in tense; title: B. Avoiding illogical shifts in person; title: C. Avoiding illogical shifts in number; title: D. Avoiding illogical shifts in voice; title: 25. Dangling and misplaced modifiers; title: A. Identifying present participle modifiers; title: B. Identifying past participle modifiers; title: C. Correcting dangling modifiers; title: D. Correcting misplaced modifiers; title: unit 6. Understanding basic grammar; title: 26. Verbs : past tense; title: A. Understanding regular verbs in the past tense; title: B. Understanding irregular verbs in the past tense; title: C. Problem verbs in the past tense : be; title: D. Problem verbs in the past tense : can/could and will/would; title: 27. Verbs : past participles; title: A. Identifying regular past participles; title: B. Identifying irregular past participles; title: C. Using the present perfect tense; title: D. Using the past perfect tense; title: E. Using past participles as adjectives; title: 28. Nouns and pronouns; title: A. Identifying nouns; title: B. Forming plural nouns; title: C. Identifying pronouns; title: D. Understanding pronoun-antecedent agreement; title: E. Solving special problems with pronoun-antecedent agreement; title: F. Understanding pronoun case; title: G. Solving special problems with pronoun case; title: H. Identifying reflexive and intensive pronouns; title: 29. Adjectives and adverbs; title: A. Identifying adjectives and adverbs; title: B. Understanding comparatives and superlatives; title: 30. Grammar and usage for ESL writers; title: A. Including subjects in sentences; title: B. Avoiding special problems with subjects; title: C. Identifying plural nouns; title: D. Understanding count and noncount nouns; title: E. Using determiners with count and noncount nouns; title: F. Understanding articles; title: G. Forming negative statements and questions; title: H. Indicating verb tense; title: I. Recognizing stative verbs; title: J. Using modal auxiliaries; title: K. Using gerunds; title: L. Placing modifiers in order; title: M. Choosing correct prepositions; title: N. Using prepositions in familiar expressions; title: O. Using prepositions in phrasal verbs; title: unit 7. Understanding punctuation, mechanics, and spelling; title: 31. Using commas; title: A. Using commas in a series; title: B. Using commas to set off introductory phrases, conjunctive adverbs, and transitional expressions; title: C. Using commas with appositives; title: D. Using commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses; title: E. Using commas in dates and addresses; title: 32. Using apostrophes; title: A. Using apostrophes to form contractions; title: B. Using apostrophes to form possessives; title: C. Revising incorrect use of apostrophes; title: 33. Understanding mechanics; title: A. Capitalizing proper nouns; title: B. Punctuating direct quotations; title: C. Setting off titles of books, stories, and other works; title: D. Using minor punctuation marks; title: 34. Understanding spelling; title: A. Becoming a better speller; title: B. Deciding between ie and ei; title: C. Understanding prefixes; title: D. Understanding suffixes; title: E. Learning commonly confused words; title: Becoming a critical reader; title: unit 8. Reading essays; title: 35. Reading for college; title: A. Previewing a reading assignment; title: B. Highlighting a reading assignment; title: C. Annotating a reading assignment; title: D. Outlining a reading assignment; title: E. Summarizing a reading assignment; title: F. Writing a response paragraph; title: 36. Readings for writers; title: A. Exemplification; title: B. Narration; title: C. Description; title: D. Process; title: E. Cause and effect; title: F. Comparison and contrast; title: G. Classification; title: H. Definition; title: I. Argument; title: Appendix A. Strategies for college success; title: 1. Learning orientation strategies; title: 2. Learning first-week strategies; title: 3. Learning day-to-day strategies; title: 4. Learning time-management strategies; title: 5. Learning note-taking strategies; title: 6. Learning homework strategies; title: 7. Learning exam-taking strategies; title: Appendix B. Using research in your writing; title: 1. Choosing a topic; title: 2. Testing your topic; title: 3. Doing research; title: 4. Taking notes; title: 5. Watching out for plagiarism; title: 6. Drafting a thesis statement; title: 7. Making an outline; title: 8. Writing your paper; title: 9. Documenting your sources; title: Appendix C. Taking standardized assessment tests; title: 1. Common exit exams and placement tests; title: 2. Using Writing first to help you prepare; title: 3. Dealing with anxiety; title: 4. Preparing for standardized tests; title: 5. Preparing for multiple-choice tests; title: 6. Approaching a multiple-choice question; title: 7. Preparing for a standardized essay test; title: 8. Defining common essay test directives; title: Answers to odd-numbered exercise items.