PART I: FROM BASIC IDEAS TO COMPLETE DRAFT Chapter 1: Understanding the Essay: Process and Product Overview: Understanding the Structure and Scope of the Essay Recognizing the Relationship between Your Aim and Your Approach in an Essay Understanding the Paragraph: Definition and Explanation Understanding the Structure of the Essay Formatting Your Essay Properly Dealing with a Writing Assignment: Examining a Successful Essay Chapter 2. Prewriting Overview: Understanding Prewriting Freewriting Brainstorming Clustering Branching Establishing Which Prewriting Technique Is Best for You Chapter 3. Composing Overview: Understanding the Composing Stage Understanding the Nature of an Effective Thesis Developing an Effective Topic Sentence Drawing on Prewriting Material to Create a Draft Thesis Focusing on Strong Supporting Details and Examples Amplifying: Transforming Writer-Centered Ideas to Reader-Centered Sentences and Paragraphs Creating an Effective Introduction and Conclusion Creating a Rough Draft and a First Draft Chapter 4. Revising Overview: Understanding the Revising Stage Reassessing for Unity, Coherence, and Language Seeking Help from an Objective Reader Redrafting Editing: Eliminating Errors Looking Again at the Final Draft PART II: THE MODES: CONSIDERING THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES AND APPROACHES Chapter 5. Narration Overview: Understanding Narration Provide Effective Transition Employ Chronological Order Use Appropriate Flashbacks and Flashforwards Choose an Effective Point of View Provide a thorough Presentation Use a Narrative Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft Analysis: Examining an Annotated Narrative Essay Illustration: Considering a Narrative Essay Chapter 6. Description Overview: Understanding Description The Elements of a Successful Descriptive Essay Provide Sufficient Transition Use Appropriate Sensory Details Include Both Objective and Subjective Description Provide a Thoroughly Developed and Focused Presentation Employ Spatial Order or Some Other Appropriate Method of Organization Use a Descriptive Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft Analysis: Examining an Annotated Descriptive Essay Illustration: Considering a Descriptive Essay Chapter 7. Example Overview: Understanding Example The Elements of a Successful Example Essay Provide Sufficient Transition Make Your Supporting Examples Specific Supply Relevant Examples Provide Multiple Examples Arrange Your Examples Effectively Use an Example Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft Analysis: Examining an Annotated Example Essay Illustration: Considering an Example Essay Chapter 8. Process Overview: Understanding Process The Elements of a Successful Process Essay Provide Sufficient Transition Use the Imperative Mood When Appropriate Divide the Process into Simple, Logical Steps Specify What to Expect and What to Avoid Rely on Linear Order Use a Process Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft Analysis: Examining an Annotated Process Essay Illustration: Considering a Process Essay Chapter 9.

Definition Overview: Understanding Definition The Elements of a Successful Definition Essay Provide Sufficient Transition Understand the Elements of a Successful Definition Consider Formal, Limited, and Extended Definition Recognize Denotation and Connotations Look to Synonyms, Etymology and Negation Use a Definition Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft Analysis: Examining an Annotated Definition Essay Illustration: Considering a Definition Essay Chapter 10. Comparison and Contrast Overview: Understanding Comparison and Contrast The Elements of a Successful Comparison and Contrast Essay Provide Sufficient Transition Specify Your Subjects and Focus Establish a Basic for Comparison or Contrast Include a Thorough Presentation Choose the Correct Method of Arrangement Use a Comparison and Contrast Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft Analysis: Examining an Annotated Comparison and Contrast Essay Illustration: Considering a Comparison and Contrast Essay Chapter 11. Cause and Effect Overview: Understanding Cause and Effect The Elements of a Successful Cause and Effect Essay Provide Sufficient Transition Identify a Focus: Cause or Effect Distinguish between Direct and Related Causes and Effects Avoid Oversimplifying Causes and Effects Arrange Elements Effectively Use a Cause and Effect Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft Analysis: Examining an Annotated Cause and Effect Essay Illustration: Considering a Cause and Effect Essay Chapter 12. Division and Classification Overview: Understanding Division and Classification The Elements of a Successful Division and Classification Essay Provide Sufficient Transition Establish a Logical Method of Analysis Maintain a Clear and Consistent Presentation Include Distinct and Complete Elements of Analysis Select an Appropriate Method of Arrangement Use a Division and Classification Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft Analysis: Examining an Annotated Division and Classification Essay Illustration: Considering a Division and Classification Essay Chapter 13. Argument Overview: Understanding Argument-Aim Versus Mode The Elements of a Successful Argument Essay Provide Sufficient Transition Declare a Clear Stance on the Issue Develop Sufficient Valid Support Recognize the Importance of Tone Avoid Errors in Logic Turn to Emphatic Order Use an Argument Essay Checklist to Evaluate Your Draft Analysis: Examining an Annotated Argument Essay Illustration: Considering an Argument Essay PART III: SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS: TIMED WRITING TASKS AND ISSUES OF RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION Chapter 14. Timed Writing Tasks Overview: Dealing with Essay Questions and Other In-Class Writings Answering an Essay Question Effectively Prepare Anticip.