Writing in the Works, 2009 MLA Update Edition

by Susan Blau, Kathryn Burak

WRITING IN THE WORKS (WITW) uses a real-world writing approach to intrigue and inspire users of all ages and backgrounds--showing you how to produce well-written pieces that people will want to read. The book's 11 Assignment chapters cover real-world genres such as application essays, news articles, editorials, proposals, public service messages, and film reviews. WITW is motivating and sophisticated, with dynamic visuals, timely readings, and obvious relevance and connection to the real world. Throughout, the authors don't treat you as a learner, but as a serious writer who is capable of writing for an actual audience. In all of the book's writing tasks, you are asked to write as if your work will be submitted for publication--or to actually to do so. With this as the end result, you learn genre conventions, audience, purpose, research, critical thinking, and style--skills directly transferable to all kinds of writing, including writing you may do for work and community.

Genres: Nonfiction

816 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2002

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to take my Intro to COM Writing course with Susan Blau. It was a little weird because (like many professors who have written textbooks) she would say things in class that were word for word out of the book. Despite that, she was one of the most helpful COM professors I've had.
I would highly recommend this book (and the course, if you go to BU) to anyone who wants to go into Communications, but you're not quite sure what your strengths are.

[Emily Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would've given it a 1 star for its outdated information, but it earned a star back because there were some parts that were actually very helpful. The MLA/APA formatting section in the back is excellent.