Along These Lines: Writing Sentences and Paragraphs

by John Sheridan Biays, Carol Wershoven, John Sh Biays

Overview

Unlike other writing handbooks—which stop coverage of the writing process after a few chapters—this book takes readers with each exercise through all the steps of generating ideas, planning, drafting and revising, and proofreading with a sample. Covers the writing process using a step-by-step approach. Includes a new chapter on Writing a Paragraph that introduces readers to a basic paragraph before beginning specific patterns. Doubles the number of proofreading exercises in each writing chapter. Offers accessible new readings on invention, technology, and adolescents who smoke. Features new material on common "trouble spots" that includes a new chapter on Avoiding Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices, and new, separate chapters on punctuation trouble spots: the comma and the apostrophe. Takes a three-part approach to grammar reinforcement—1) Practice: Exercises for simple reinforcement of the grammar principle; 2) Collaborate: More complex exercises to be done with a partner or group; 3)Connect: Application of the grammar principle to paragraphs. A handy reference for any professional who wants to improve their business writing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780205648931
Publisher:	Longman
Publication date:	06/17/2009
Series:	Biays/Wershoven Developmental Writing Ser.
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	552
Product dimensions:	8.38(w) x 10.84(h) x 0.77(d)

Table of Contents

Part One: Sentence-Level Skills

1. The Simple Sentence

2. Beyond the Simple Sentence: Coordination

3. Avoiding Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices

4. Beyond the Simple Sentence: Subordination

5. Combining Sentences: A Review of Your Options

6. Avoiding Sentence Fragments

7. Using Parallelism in Sentences

8. Using Adjectives and Adverbs

9. Correcting Problems with Modifiers

10. Verbs: The Four Main Verbs

11. More on Verb Tenses

12. Verbs: Consistency and Voice

13. Making Subjects and Verbs Agree

14. Using Pronouns Correctly: Agreement and Reference

15. Using Pronouns Correctly: Consistency and Case

16. Punctuation

17. Spelling

18. Words that Sound Alike/Look Alike

19. Using Prepositions Correctly

Part II: Writing in Stages: The Process Approach

20. Writing a Paragraph: Prewriting

21. Writing a Paragraph: Planning

22. Writing a Paragraph: Drafting and Revising

23. Writing a Paragraph: Proofreading

24. Writing a Narrative Paragraph

25. Writing a Descriptive Paragraph

26. Writing an Illustration Paragraph

27. Writing a Process Paragraph

28. Moving from Paragraphs to Essays

29. Writing from Reading

Appendix A: Readings for Writers

Appendix B: Grammar Practice for Nonnative Speakers

Introduction

TO INSTRUCTORS

This new edition of Along These Lines: Writing Sentences and Paragraphs retains the extensive grammar coverage and meticulous process-oriented writing instruction applauded by users of the first edition. Based on encouraging comments from colleagues and conscientious reviewers, we have included more collaborative and individual grammar exercises, and we have incorporated additional chapters and activities that reinforce the stages of the writing process. We have also increased the number of proofreading and editing exercises to sharpen your students' revision skills.

We believe that an effective text should not only motivate and guide students, but it should also respect their individuality and their innate desire to learn and succeed. We trust that our text's numerous exercises, examples, and activities will work well with any lesson plan or instructional preference. Since each chapter is self-contained, instructors can easily adapt the book's flexible framework to accommodate a formal classroom or a writing lab setting. Ultimately, we hope this book will enable your students to take pride in their work, confidence in their ideas, and responsibility for their own learning.

THE GRAMMAR CHAPTERS

The grammar chapters continue to offer the popular format of practice (simple reinforcement), collaborate (partner or group work), and connect (application of the grammar principle to paragraphs) exercises.

New Features

In response to the suggestions of reviewers, we have incorporated these refinements:

• Expanded paragraph-editing exercises at the end of each grammar chapter
• More sentence-generating exercises requiring students to demonstrate mastery of specific grammar principles
• More exercises on proofreading

Additional Features

Along These Lines: Writing Sentences and Paragraphs continues to offer these features in the grammar chapters:

• Clear, simple steps, as in "Two Steps in Recognizing Sentence Fragments" or "Three Steps in Checking for Sentence Errors with Modifiers"
• Numerous collaborative activities, including exercises that ask students to devise their own examples to illustrate principles just reviewed
• Exercises based on excerpts from powerful writers such as Edgar Allan Poe and Pulitzer Prize-winning Edna Buchanan, along with such historical figures as Martin Luther King, Jr., John F Kennedy, and Winston Churchill

THE WRITING CHAPTERS

New Features

This edition expands the focus on the writing process and includes these significant enhancements:

• Four new chapters on basic rhetorical patterns: Narration, Description, Illustration, and Process
• A new chapter on moving from writing paragraphs to writing short essays
• New full-color photographs and accompanying topics as writing prompts

Additional Features

Each writing chapter retains these distinctive features:

• A clear and detailed sample of one writing assignment as it progresses through all the stages of the writing process
• Exercises placed immediately after explanatory material
• Collaborative exercises directing students to write with peers, interview classmates, react to others' suggestions, and build on others' ideas
• Numerous writing topics and step-by-step "Walk-Through" assignments providing additional flexibility for instructors
• A Peer Review Form in each chapter so that students can benefit from a classmate's reaction to their drafts

THE READING SECTIONS

New Features

We have made these changes and additions to the reading sections:

• New, accessible reading selections from authors such as Clifton L. Taulbert, Al Roker, Ben Stein, and Amy Dacyczyn (author of The Tightwad Gazette).
• New topics in the Writing from Reading sections on everything from saving money to developing self-esteem

Additional Features

Along These Lines: Writing Sentences and Paragraphs continues to offer these popular features in the reading sections:

• A separate and detailed chapter on "Writing From Reading," explaining and illustrating the steps of prereading, reading and rereading, annotating, summarizing, reacting (in writing) to another's ideas, and writing for an essay test
• Vocabulary definitions for each reading selection
• Readings that appeal to working students, returning students, students recently out of high school, and students who axe parents
• Readings by authors accessible to a student audience, from Judith Ortiz Cofer to Maya Angelou to John Grisham
• Topics for writing sparked by the content or strategies of the readings - designed to elicit thinking and develop specific writing skills such as unity, coherence, or support

Along These Lines: Writing Sentences and Paragraphs will appeal to instructors, but more importantly, it will work for today's diverse student population. Our years of teaching developmental classes have taught us that beginning writers are more motivated and learn more readily when they are actively involved with individual or collaborative tasks. We have designed this text to foster active learning within an atmosphere of respect, encouragement, and meaningful interaction. We trust it will help your classes flourish, and as you and your students work through the writing process, we wish you much success along all lines.