Wordsmith: A Guide to Paragraphs and Short Essays

Focusing on developmental writing at the paragraph level, this comprehensive guide offers a clear and systematic presentation of writing and grammar, with myriad examples and exercises to support concepts and hone skills. Covering all steps of the writing process in the order in which a writer uses them, it provides strategies for creating topic sentences and writing paragraphs, and presents nine different methods of development with model paragraphs. It devotes an entire section to grammar, and finishes with a selection of short, entertaining readings -- complete with reading comprehension questions and writing assignments - that helps users take advantage of the strong connection between reading and writing. Offers consecutive chapters on prewriting, writing the paragraph, revising, and proofreading, and addresses the concepts of direction, unity, coherence and support as an integral part of writing supporting paragraphs. Explains grammatical concepts in a systematic and easy-to-understand manner, with many review exercises and interesting side boxes. Provides twenty brief, interesting readings that reinforce reading skills and illustrate different writing techniques. Includes lighthearted chapter-opening boxes, a running sample paragraph in progress, and tips for right-brained writers. For anyone wishing to strengthen their writing skills communicate more clearly.