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Readings for Writers
This best-selling rhetorical reader includes both essays and fiction and now offers a new chapter on combining the patterns of development, coverage of visual rhetoric, and more on the reading and writing process.
780 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 11, 2008
This is the book that I'm using for my first go-round with teaching Freshman English I. It's very accessible and the reading selections correspond wonderfully with discussions about the various styles of rhetoric available to the writer.
December 18, 2024
While I am continuously surprised and disappointed when I read the (revised / inaccurate) history books that are being utilized at High Schools in NJ, written with such anti-American sentiment such as how America was wrong for participating in WW2 and other such positions that change perspective to move students toward a blame America mentality, I am literally blown away by the blatant agenda exhibited in the noted collection. The entire publication is a collection of essays with a common theme that is anti-American, socialist, and contains most every single radical anti-America agenda item known.
Some examples include:
"Ode to Thanksgiving", an essay vilifying and mocking the treasured American holiday.
"Cultural Baggage", written by an admitted socialist, and calling on Americans to reject their culture and identity, to recognize the wrongs we have inflicted on non-whites and non-jews, and to recognize the "newer traditions", celebrated by almost nobody.
"Dying for Government", a re-interpreted view of the Iraq Operation, criticizing American soldiers with the tired and false mantra of "baby killers" we heard in the now discredited Vietnam Conflict hearings. It continues to mis-characterize WW2 as a military action seeking to expand American power and resulting only in various military dictatorships created by America.
"Animal Liberation", a support for this very radical movement that seeks to gain legal status for animals equal to that of humans, no doubt making their attorneys very wealthy enforcing their proposed legislation. Anyone who knows this group, knows their radical agenda.
"Bitch", which denigrates former First Lady Laura Bush via a mere alleged anecdote of conveniently isolated content, while celebrating the traitor Jane Fonda, and Madonna, a woman only known for pop songs and publicly rejecting America.
"Evolution as Fact and Theory", attacking Creationism and supporting the Theory of Evolution, conveniently leaving out any of its shortcomings and the fact that it is still also a theory. It is interesting to note that this essay does not provide both views objectively and intellectually, but takes an extreme position which is primarily concerned with attacking religion. Every good communist knows that to enslave the people and control them via government, you must first remove God as a higher power, and that is clearly the reason for including this essay that is more anti-religion than it is an explanation of the Theory. The Theory of Evolution can clearly be taught without mocking other theories and while also presenting its shortcomings.
"Is Everybody Happy", Happily mocking the founding fathers principal of "the pursuit of happiness" while taking equal shots at capitalism and the un-adopted coined word "consumerism", while leaving out the more accurate type of economics we use in America, that being the free market system.
"THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO", need I say more? In itself, worth reading so you know where the threat derived and how they think, but clearly it is included here as a viable pursuit given the collection in its entirety.
"Environmentalism of the Spirit", by the self proclaimed environment expert Al Gore who refuses any public debate with real climate and environment experts and has made millions off of his global warming, now it's climate change, now it's carbon "pollution" fraud.
Pro gay marriage (regardless of Constitutional powers issues regarding State and Federal powers), un-brideled abortion advocacy which would include the barbaric partial birth procedure, there is not one radical Left agenda item that is not presented, and presented in a non-objective manner without counter argument. Even if any of these arguments had individual merit, in their totality this book is nothing more that a Leftist propaganda, anti-American culture and history, collection. Reject your culture ("Cultural Baggage") so you will be ready to accept our new ideas of what is American culture, so you will reject the Constitution and founding principles and accept the radical new agenda of socialism and even Communism. Where are the essays from Ayn Rand (who lived under such political systems and knew very well their evils), William Buckley, Milton Friedman? You won't find those great writers here, they don't fit the agenda, an agenda that is all too clear. This is not a book compiled to help kids learn how to write, its an attempt to indoctrinate. To soften kids to the ideals of socialism, communism, and radical agendas. There is no intellectual counter arguments, only what is purported to be indisputable fact, but laughably is lies.
Some examples include:
"Ode to Thanksgiving", an essay vilifying and mocking the treasured American holiday.
"Cultural Baggage", written by an admitted socialist, and calling on Americans to reject their culture and identity, to recognize the wrongs we have inflicted on non-whites and non-jews, and to recognize the "newer traditions", celebrated by almost nobody.
"Dying for Government", a re-interpreted view of the Iraq Operation, criticizing American soldiers with the tired and false mantra of "baby killers" we heard in the now discredited Vietnam Conflict hearings. It continues to mis-characterize WW2 as a military action seeking to expand American power and resulting only in various military dictatorships created by America.
"Animal Liberation", a support for this very radical movement that seeks to gain legal status for animals equal to that of humans, no doubt making their attorneys very wealthy enforcing their proposed legislation. Anyone who knows this group, knows their radical agenda.
"Bitch", which denigrates former First Lady Laura Bush via a mere alleged anecdote of conveniently isolated content, while celebrating the traitor Jane Fonda, and Madonna, a woman only known for pop songs and publicly rejecting America.
"Evolution as Fact and Theory", attacking Creationism and supporting the Theory of Evolution, conveniently leaving out any of its shortcomings and the fact that it is still also a theory. It is interesting to note that this essay does not provide both views objectively and intellectually, but takes an extreme position which is primarily concerned with attacking religion. Every good communist knows that to enslave the people and control them via government, you must first remove God as a higher power, and that is clearly the reason for including this essay that is more anti-religion than it is an explanation of the Theory. The Theory of Evolution can clearly be taught without mocking other theories and while also presenting its shortcomings.
"Is Everybody Happy", Happily mocking the founding fathers principal of "the pursuit of happiness" while taking equal shots at capitalism and the un-adopted coined word "consumerism", while leaving out the more accurate type of economics we use in America, that being the free market system.
"THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO", need I say more? In itself, worth reading so you know where the threat derived and how they think, but clearly it is included here as a viable pursuit given the collection in its entirety.
"Environmentalism of the Spirit", by the self proclaimed environment expert Al Gore who refuses any public debate with real climate and environment experts and has made millions off of his global warming, now it's climate change, now it's carbon "pollution" fraud.
Pro gay marriage (regardless of Constitutional powers issues regarding State and Federal powers), un-brideled abortion advocacy which would include the barbaric partial birth procedure, there is not one radical Left agenda item that is not presented, and presented in a non-objective manner without counter argument. Even if any of these arguments had individual merit, in their totality this book is nothing more that a Leftist propaganda, anti-American culture and history, collection. Reject your culture ("Cultural Baggage") so you will be ready to accept our new ideas of what is American culture, so you will reject the Constitution and founding principles and accept the radical new agenda of socialism and even Communism. Where are the essays from Ayn Rand (who lived under such political systems and knew very well their evils), William Buckley, Milton Friedman? You won't find those great writers here, they don't fit the agenda, an agenda that is all too clear. This is not a book compiled to help kids learn how to write, its an attempt to indoctrinate. To soften kids to the ideals of socialism, communism, and radical agendas. There is no intellectual counter arguments, only what is purported to be indisputable fact, but laughably is lies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 29, 2021This is a wonderful writing textbook. I have browsed and read selections from the 3rd, 5th and 6th editions, all of which were interesting and helpful to me as a writer. I wish I had taken a class that used this book.
Currently reading
February 21, 2026α - goodwill find, fourth edition. I find having a journal has dispersed a small amount of the looming gloomy ennui suffocating America. Here I am not wanting to leave, but at a loss on how to voice discontent. Plan to read 1 section a day & write ambient musings, w/e is floating in the air at the time.
October 2, 2020
good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2014
I have the 14th edition now, but have used this edition, as well. Good for freshman comp in that it provides a variety of expository and poetic examples, as well as solid WRITING advice. The most valuable thing about this book is the back section on Revising.
It does follow the Modes (as in students need to learn to write an Argument, or a Cause-Effect essay, or a Definition essay, etc.), which is a tad dated and a little restrictive, but that's to be expected in many comp texts. I am curious that it doesn't have a Problem-Solution chapter like other ones that follow the modes.
It does follow the Modes (as in students need to learn to write an Argument, or a Cause-Effect essay, or a Definition essay, etc.), which is a tad dated and a little restrictive, but that's to be expected in many comp texts. I am curious that it doesn't have a Problem-Solution chapter like other ones that follow the modes.
August 28, 2013
The description of hell, simply titled "Hell," by James Joyce is awesome!!!
I received this book in college, during my Navy days. I have held on to it for that very writing. Now falling apart, my copy of this book is worn and raged. Age will do that.
I received this book in college, during my Navy days. I have held on to it for that very writing. Now falling apart, my copy of this book is worn and raged. Age will do that.
May 31, 2015
The description of hell, simply titled "Hell," by James Joyce is awesome!!!
I received this book in college, during my Navy days. I have held on to it for that very writing. Now falling apart, my copy of this book is worn and raged. Age will do that.
I received this book in college, during my Navy days. I have held on to it for that very writing. Now falling apart, my copy of this book is worn and raged. Age will do that.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews