5 stars (The Power of the Essay) - The Bedford Reader provides the teacher of writing with a powerful tool. Provocative, interesting, varied essays are presented within a coherent framework of rhetorical strategies. I have used it with 9th and 10th graders, but will use it with older students as well. If your concern is with rhetoric, if you want to teach your students to think and write effectively, this is a great resource. 5 stars (The Best I've Ever Seen) - I was required to get this book for an Intermediate Composition course in college and it has to be the best college textbook I have ever had. First there is a wide variety of stories to choose from and at least one will appeal to everyone. Even though it is a educational textbook I still read it in my leisure time, as well. 4 stars (Each work demands the reader's attention in its own way.) - My high school English class analyzes two essays from the book every grading period. I have seldom had an assignment that I enjoy so much; after analyzing the first essay assigned (Homeless), I sat back to think about what the writer had expressed. The essays are thought provoking and demand attention. The Bedford Reader is a book that I would recommend for the sheer enjoyment of exploring one's own mind and escaping to the world of another's. ... Bedford-St Martin-s :: Language Arts & Disciplines & Composition & Creative Writing :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Language Arts & Disciplines :: Language :: Compositi :: The Bedford Reader
5 stars (Shirley Brice Heath Has a "Way With Words") - Language is power. Heath, a reflective practitioner of both human nature and schooling, provides an in-depth view of communities which epitomize the struggle for such power. In her ethnographic study of Trackton and Roadville, Heath lays bare the socializing process of children through words. The discontinuity between home and school is disturbing; a realization that students who do not fit the traditional way of schooling are left behind. Clearly illustrated is the need for teachers and students to bridge the gap which exists in relation to both language and culture, for without this effort some students will never acquire the power needed to take control of their education or pursue opportunities from which they have previously been excluded. This is must reading for student ethnographers, doctoral students, and those dedicated to school reform, particularly those in the areas of diversity in public schools, and language. This extraordinary book compares favorably to "Growing Up Literate: Learning From Inner-City Families" by Denny Taylor & Catherine Dorsey-Gaines. 3 stars (A Teacher's View) - Teaching in a high school with a large number of minority children can be challenging. After reading this book, recommended by the debate teacher, I feel that I am better prepared. This book is an excellent resource for those wanting to understand the student from a background different form their own. If you plan to work in public school, this book is a must-read. I borrowed a friend's book, and then decided I had to have a copy of my own. ... Cambridge University Press :: Sociolinguistics :: Language Arts & Disciplines & General :: English :: Linguistics :: Language arts :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Language :: Intera :: Ways with Words - Language- Life and Work in Communities and Classrooms (Cambridge Paperback Library
3 stars (Lit teacher) - The book does provide a diverse range of genre. It works well as a literature textbook. However, the quality of the book binding is poor. Students purchase this $50+ textbook only to have chunks of it fall out before the end of the semester. I suppose the publisher sells more textbooks that way, since few books are resold as used books, but I can't recommend it for just that reason. 5 stars (College English Class) - Great Book....even though the CRAZY PROFESSOR I HAD USED 15 of the essays and some poems. THE ESSAYS WERE INTERESTING AND FUN. 5 stars (An excellent textbook for first-year college students.) - This book provides a good range of diverse materials for a teacher in a first year English course. There are multiple genres and themes, a section of famous paintings for discussions (useful for discussions on literature and art), among other helpful features. The Conscious Reader is an antidote to readers which have the same standard writing for student use. ... Longman :: Language Arts & Disciplines & Composition & Creative Writing :: Rhetoric :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Language Arts & Disciplines :: Language :: :: The Conscious Reader- Ninth Edition
4 stars (From a Teacher) - I have used this book to teach a freshman writing and reading course at a liberal arts school. Because of the difficulty of many of the texts, it was met by my students with little fanfare. While a few of the pieces are clearly too much for the average freshman (Foucault comes first to mind), most can be used effectively to get them to discuss issues. I have found that the students would rather talk in generals and universals than with the intricate arguments that some of the writers brilliantly present. This is one of the those books that if you decide to use it in a class, then you better be prepared to not only sink with the ship but also be able to provide an inspiring tour of the ruins. 5 stars (Challenging, yet rewarding read) - I had to read this book for my upper division journalism class this fall and found it to be one of the best books that we used in the course. The editors have tried to collect well-written, intelligent documentaries that challenge traditional connections between words and photographs. Included are Edward Said's inspiring piece about the Palestinian holocaust and exile, a piece by Roland Barthes about the meaning of photograph, "Let Us Speak Now of Famous Men," and many others. Although some pieces are better than others, Barthes' piece is more exciting and informative than Marianne Hirsch's writing on the way that children are used in photography. Over all, the collection is a rewarding and challenge book that could be used for any upper division class. (Maybe the reason that previous reviewers did not like the book is that it was not intended for first year college composition classes.) 1 stars (Blah, Blah, Blah) - I had to read this book for my Freshman lit/comp class and it is by far the most pathetic collection of essays every gathered. It is almost unreadable, pretentious, and laughable. It is a collection of essays by writers who think considerably more of themselves then they are due. Subseque... Bedford-St Martin-s :: Language Arts & Disciplines & Composition & Creative Writing :: Rhetoric :: Report writing :: Problems :: exercises :: etc :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Litera :: Ways of Reading - An Anthology for Writers
4 stars (A Good Freshman Composition Reader) - While I am just starting to use this edition (6th) of the text, I have been happy with The Macmillan Reader since I began using the 5th edition in 1999. The chapters on academic reading and the writing process are thorough (but a bit dry), and the portions of the text that deal with each method of development are well-developed and thought out so as to help students get the best idea of what a "good" essay of each variety should and shouldn't include. The essays that are included are a wonderful assortment of old, tried-and-true and newer pieces from authors of varying backgrounds, ethnicities, and creeds. Students usually enjoy the readings I give them (I'd say 80% approval per piece), and with the average length being 5 pages, reading an essay for class and completing a journal entry is not too heavy of a burden any night of the week. The readings vary from "perfect" examples of what the text describes to even a few "what not to do when you write your own" essays that my students never fail to identify as such. I feel that this is, by far, the best reader I have used while teaching Freshman English (this is my fourth text), and I plan on sticking with it for years to come. The price is moderate, the readings enjoyable, and the "educational" chapters stated in a way that both the slowest and most advanced student in the class can come to the same understanding of what "good writing" is. 4 stars (Worth It!) - This may be a textbook, but it is definately worth buying. The instructions on writing were clear and helpful, and the essays were wonderful. I can honestly say that I liked almost every essay in the book! ... Longman :: Rhetoric :: Report writing :: Readers :: Problems :: exercises :: etc :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Language Arts & Disciplines :: Language :: English la :: The Longman Reader (6th Edition)
5 stars (Outstanding) - Currently I am studying for the LSAT (Law School Aptitude Test) The major section on the test is logical reasoning. I have read many books from LSAT books to books on critical reasoning. This book has finally made everything clear to me. It presents topics in understandable language, with excellent questions to ask as you read or hear an argument. If you are preparing for any test such as LSAT or GMAT or just want to be able to understand arguments that you hear on TV or editorials in newspapers or political speaches, get this book. 5 stars (If I could get this book long before...) - I bought a lot of books in amazon. In the beginning, I just was a sponge, the worse way this book pointed out. After reading this, I was happy and sad. The happy one is this book exactly addresses what I need in my career including self study and work. The sad is I need to re-read all the books I've read, which may take me about 1 to 2 years. It's the most important book I've bought until now. Thank you. 5 stars (foundation for critical thinking) - Although this book will probably tell you that personal testimony is not very effective as an evidence since you do not know me, I still want to contribute here to say that this book is terrific. Throughout the book, the author guides you what questions to ask when you look at an argument. This book provides me with insights to how to approach arguments and opinions. More importantly, it helps me understand how to revisit my own opinions and positions and how to contruct my argument more effectively. ... Prentice Hall :: Language Arts & Disciplines & Composition & Creative Writing :: Rhetoric :: Literary Criticism :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Language Arts & Di :: Asking the Right Questions- A Guide to Critical Thinking- Seventh Edition
5 stars ( AP Stylebook ) - This book was purchased for use in a college public relations office. I'm sure it will become one of the most helpful manuals we have! 5 stars (It delivers the goods) - The AP Stylebook is a great desk reference for corporate communicators. Rules and samples make using it easy. 3 stars (Woe is I!) - As a working writer writing all the time for other people, I am, alas, forced to write in the style of their chosen style guide. I do not like writing according to the AP Style guide. My chief complaint is that the AP, which is now the preferred choice, it appears, is a bit drunk on its own power. They have always been a "aw relax, don't make such a big deal of it" kind of style guide, which I like, but now that they rule the roost, they do get rather twitchy and adamant about things that simply are not that important. Case in point is the AP's approach to the comma, which can be summarized as such: use a comma if you really really really need it, and if you don't or can get away with not using it, then don't. This is most egregious in their discussion of the serial comma. I tend to prefer a rule. I like the serial comma. I like red, white, and blue and so does good old Strunk & White. At the same time, the AP is nuts about hyphens! I think the AP goes overboard with hyphens. Email does not need a hyphen. Yes, electronic-mail address does, but email does not. The whole do you spell out the number thing is just a mess! And I am not so sure that they are as thoughtful on bias in language as they could be. What is my point? Do I have one? Perhaps not. This is the preferred guide and reflects a kind of vanilla - fication of language. You do not need to follow all their rules, and you can create your own, if you like, too. That is what makes writing so fun! I recommend incorporating some quirks, such as the New Yorker's use of the umlaut in words such as cooperate. Make up a better rule for spelling out numbers and using ampersands. And g... Basic Books :: Writing Skills :: United States :: Style manuals :: Research And Report Writing :: Reference :: Libel and slander :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Journ :: AP Stylebook
3 stars (Useful in some ways, not in others.) - I recently read the 6th edition of this book in hopes that it would help me to improve my ability to understand and write about art. I found that the book is a direct, well-written primer for someone finishing high school or beginning their undergraduate degree, but for someone with a bit more experience, it turns out to be a mixed bag. I know next to nothing about visual art. I'm the quintessential "knows what I likes, and likes what I knows" type of guy. On the other hand, I'm a graduate student in English, so I'm well-practiced in writing essays and in applying various theoretical and critical methods. I read this book in the hopes that it would help me to better understand art. That is, I wanted to learn, as Sylvia Barnet puts it, "How does art mean?" The beginning of the text does introduce some basic questions and ways to think about different kinds of art, ranging from painting, to sculpture, to architecture, to photography, to video art, etc. However, this is not meant to be an instructional book to teach someone about art. It is more like an assistant text for a freshman-level art history course. A great deal of the book is spent discussing how to organize essays, sentence structure, revising, formatting, and some instruction on critical methods. But, again, this book is not a book on writing. It's not about art, it's not about writing, so what is it? Well, like it says, it's about writing about art. A good deal of this book was useless to me, but some of it was enlightening. If you've already got some experience studying the visual arts, or some experience writing, or you just want a really indepth study on either, pick out something else. If, however, you just want an easily understood, basic primer on writing and art, this isn't a bad choice at all. 1 stars (points out the obvious) - A professor highly recommended this book to my art history class. I was disappointed in it. I had hoped it would offer some ... Longman :: Language Arts & Disciplines & Composition & Creative Writing :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Language Arts & Disciplines :: Language :: Compositi :: A Short Guide to Writing About Art (7th Edition)
5 stars (Great Reference ) - This book is very user friendly and is a great reference for any English class! 5 stars (The best brief style manual available) - This grammar handbook is concise and so EASY TO USE! It has all the essential reference information that you need when you are writing an essay or professional letter. Everything is clearly laid out and well-explained. Many grammar books are thick, heavy, and intimidating--filled with information that will never be read. Who wants to read a grammar book? They are for reference, not reading! This is a small paperback with a spiral binding so it lays flat. I teach freshman composition and introduction to literature classes, and I always assign this book to my students. P.S. If you want a small grammar book that you can actually read, check out THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF COLLEGE WRITING by Michael Harvey. I have my students buy both; Hacker for reference, and Harvey to read. 5 stars (Cite it right...) - 'The Pocket Style Manual' compiled by Diana Hacker is one of the most useful tools for student and professional writing available. One of the more confusing aspects of writing for many students (and those beyond student level) is the range of styles for citation, organisation and structure in texts. Different schools and different professions expect their own styles to be applied - just what is the difference between MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) style, anyway? This book provides the answer in short, easy-to-use fashion. The first section of Hacker's text goes over the basics of good writing - grammar, clarity, punctuation, and essential mechanics such as capitalisation, abbreviation, numbers, etc. This is not a guide that will teach the reader, but rather serve as a reminder, refresher, and quick ready-reference guide for those who (usually at the deadline and in a hurry) need information quickly to finish their assignments and projects. The three primary styles p... Bedford-St Martin-s :: Language Arts & Disciplines & Composition & Creative Writing :: Rhetoric :: Reference :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Ha :: A Pocket Style Manual
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