The Riverside Reader

by Joseph F. Trimmer, Maxine E. Hairston

This rhetorically arranged reader contains 69 selections (45 essays, 8 stories, 16 paragraphs) representing diverse voices and views from student and professional writers. The extensive apparatus in The Riverside Reader encourages students to view organizational forms not just as techniques for writing, but also as a means of thinking and a way to discover a purpose for writing. Throughout the text, readings progress from simpler to more complex. Thirty-three readings are new, chosen with an eye toward contemporary topics and cultural and gender balance A thematic unit on the Internet offers eight selections, one for each rhetorical method plus a short story, with cross-references to other essays in book. A chapter on documenting resources appears at the end of the book and includes a student sample.

Genres: Textbooks, Nonfiction, Short Stories

498 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Dawn Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess this is actually a textbook. I skipped all the instructional parts on writing and read any essays that interested me and skipped the others. It was a good read.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Riverside Reader by Joseph Trimmer and Maxine Hairston (Houghton-Miflin Co. 1981) (808+/-). This is a collection of essays by noted authors and writers which focuses on the tools and habits necessary to develop the skills required of a professional writer. The authors featured here are all stars: EB White, Ron Kovic, SJ Perleman, Dorothy Parker, Leo Rosten, Tom Wolfe, and many others. My rating: 7/10, finished 12/15/14.

[Lois Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love essays and it is hard to find essay collections in my library. This is an older book I picked up in a second hand book shop but the essays are still excellent and the rhetorical portion of the book helps the reader think critically about what they have read.

[D.M. Kilgore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of essays drawn from various sources. I love the way it's broken down by literary element and includes brief introductions and thoughtful questions to keep you thinking about the content.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Riverside Reader series. They always choose a fine mix of contemporary and classic essays that appeal to a wide audience.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little compilation of essays.