A substantial new chapter, “Reading Critically,” presents this important college skill in a clear and compelling manner. Critical reading instruction is then reinforced throughout the book, as an integral part of writing instruction. To help best reading practices become second nature, the effective four-step process presented in the new chapter--Preview, Read, Pause to think, and Review—appears consistently throughout Real Essays, by means of coordinated prompts and assignments.
31 new readings in all, including 18 new essays by students. Almost half of the book’s readings are new, providing an abundance of fresh, thought-provoking material for discussion and writing. Among the memorable new selections by students are Daniel Flanagan’s “The Choice to Do It Over Again” and Anna Puiia’s “What Is Hip?” New high-interest selections by published professional writers include Michael Gates Gill’s “How I Learned to Be a Barista” and Howard White’s “The Power of Hello.”
Community Connections theme. New assignments in the essay chapters are built around profiles of students who have become involved in their college or local communities, to their own advantage and the benefit of others. In addition, new student selections on the positive outcomes of community involvement enliven part one—for example, Islam Elshami’s “Why Join the Club?” and Deshon Briggs’s “Be the Change in Your Life.”
New coverage of visual analysis. A carefully selected collection of images—drawn from current events and the world of contemporary photography—supports the development of critical thinking and writing skills. These images form the basis of meaningful journal prompts and substantive “Responding to a Visual” assignments.
More digital choices start at the Real Essays companion site, bedfordstmartins.com/realessays. In one convenient place, you'll find free and open content — from interactive exercises and activities to sample student writing and reliable research links — as well as access to our innovative premium media, including ReWriting Plus and WritingClass for Real Essays, an online course space preloaded with book-specific exercises, diagnostics, video tutorials, writing and commenting tools, and more. Also available for the first time is a value-priced Real Essays e-Book, available either as a CourseSmart e-Book or in formats for use with computers, tablets, and e-readers—visit bedfordstmartins/ebooks for more information.