PART I: THE WRITING PROCESS-FROM FIRST THOUGHTS TO FINAL DRAFT Chapter 1 Effective Writing: Process and Product Preview: The Components of Effective Writing The Writing Process The Writer-Reader Connection Paragraphs and Essays: Similarities and Differences Chapter 2 The Prewriting Stage Preview: Techniques for Prewriting Freewriting and Brainstorming Clustering and Branching The Best Prewriting Technique-or Combination of Techniques-for You Chapter 3 The Composing Stage Preview: From Basic Ideas to First Draft A Clear Main Point: Topic Sentence or Thesis The Difference Between Writer-Centered Ideas and Reader-Centered Material Strong Supporting Details and Examples: Amplifying Effective Openings and Closings Two First Versions: A Rough Draft and a First Draft Chapter 4 The Revising Stage Preview: First Draft to Final Draft Reassessing Unity Coherence Language Help from an Objective Reader Redrafting Editing An Annotated Revised Draft PART II: THE MODES: THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES AND APPROACHES Chapter 5 Narration Preview: Telling the Story An Effective Point of View A Thorough Presentation Appropriate Flashbacks and Flashforwards Chronological Order and Sufficient Transition Narration Checklist Chapter 6 Description Preview: Bringing It into Focus Appropriate Sensory Details Objective and Subjective Description A Thoroughly Developed and Focused Presentation Spatial Order and Sufficient Transition Description Checklist Chapter 7 Example Preview: Offering an Illustration Specific Examples Relevant Examples Multiple Examples Effective Arrangement and Sufficient Transition An Example Checklist Chapter 8 Process Preview: Outlining the Steps The Appropriate Use of the Imperative Mood Simple, Logical Steps Reassurances of What to Expect and What to Avoid Linear Order and Sufficient Transition A Process Checklist Chapter 9 Definition Preview: Spelling Out the Meaning Limited and Extended Definitions Denotation, Connotations, and Negation Appropriate Personal Interpretations or Experiences Effective Arrangement and Sufficient Transition A Definition Checklist Chapter 10 Comparison and Contrast Preview: Examining Similarities and Differences Specific Subjects and Focus A Clear Basis for Comparison or Contrast A Thorough and Specific Presentation An Effective Arrangement and Sufficient Transition A Comparison and Contrast Checklist Chapter 11 Cause and Effect Preview: Understanding Reasons and Results An Appropriate Focus Direct and Related Causes and Effects Multiple Cause and Effect Situations An Effective Arrangement and Sufficient Transition A Cause and Effect Checklist Chapter 12 Division and Classification Preview: Considering Segments and Groupings A Specific Focus and a Logical Method of Analysis A Clear and Consistent Presentation Distinct and Complete Elements An Effective Arrangement and Sufficient Transition A Division and Classification Checklist Chapter 13 Argument Preview: Taking a Stand An Explicit Stance The Modes in Combination Sufficient Valid Support A Reasonable and Convincing Tone Common Errors in Logic to Avoid Emphatic Order and Sufficient Transition An Argument Checklist Part III: Issues of Mechanics and Usage Chapter 14 Parts of Speech Preview: Understanding the Ways Words Function The Verb The Namers-Nouns and Pronouns The Modifiers-Adjectives and Adverbs The Connectors-Conjunctions and Prepositions Interjections Chapter 15 Sentence Elements Preview: Considering the Principal Parts Subject and Verbs Complements Phrases Clauses Chapter 16 The Types of Sentences Preview: Understanding the Different Methods Declarative Interrogative Imperative Exclamatory Chapter 17 The Classifications of Sentence Preview: Considering Different Structures Simple Compound Complex Compound-Complex PART IV: COMMON PROBLEMS SPOTS-IDENTIFICATION AND ELIMINATION Chapter 18 Fragments Preview: Distinguishing Between Complete and Incomplete Units Omitted Subject or Verb Phrase Fragments Subordinate Clause Fragments Chapter 19 Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences Preview: Correctly Connecting or Separating Your Ideas A Conjunction to Connect Sentences A Semicolon to Connect Sentences End Punctuation to Separate Sentences Chapter 20 Subject-Verb Agreement Preview: Matching Up the Key Parts The Subject Following the Verb Phrases and Clauses Coming Between Subjects and Verbs Compound Subject Complications Indefinite Pronouns, Collective Nouns, Singular Nouns Ending in s, or Nouns of Measurement, Amount, or Distance as Subjects Chapter 21 Correct Verb Use: Irregular Forms, Tense, and Voice Preview: Understanding Different Aspects of Verb Use Correct Irregular Verb Use Multiple Verb Tenses Consistency in Verb Tense Use Chapter 22 Noun and Pronoun Use Preview: Using Naming Words Correctly The Functions and Forms of Nouns The Different Cases of Pronouns Consistency in Pronoun Number Clear Relationships Between Pronouns and Antecedents Chapter 23 Adjective, Adverb, and Other Modifier Use Preview: Using Modifying Words Properly The Correct Forms of Adjectives and Adverbs Commonly Confused and Irregular Modifiers Intensifying and Absolute Modifiers Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers Chapter 24 Spelling Preview: Mastering the Rules and the Exceptions The Basic Rules of Spelling Commonly Confused Words Frequently Misspelled Words Chapter 25 Parallelism Preview: Keeping it All Balanced Individual Words in Pairs or Series Phrases in Pairs or Series Items Connected by Correlative Conjunctions and Than or As Chapter 26 Punctuation Preview: Maintaining the Nuts and Bolts End Punctuation Pausing Punctuation Enclosing Punctuation The Apostrophe Chapter 27 Capitalization and Numbers Preview: Specifying and Quantifying Capitalization Numbers Appendix A: Study Skills Appendix B: Preparing a Summary.