A new Chapter 1, "Reading and Critical Thinking: Keys to Successful Writing," helps students to make the all-important reading, writing, and thinking connection with lively examples, interactive practices, thought-provoking ads, and other visuals for analysis and discussion. Reading strategies introduced in this chapter are reinforced throughout the book with in-text reminders and marginal tips.
A new Part 2, "Grammar Basics," provides students with a concise guide to the fundamentals of grammar. Using clear explanations and carefully constructed practice exercises, three all-new chapters help students recognize and understand the parts of speech, basic sentence elements, and sentence types.
New multiple-choice quizzes offer a comprehensive review of all topics covered in each of the editing chapters, giving students more in-text grammar practice, and providing instructors with effective, chapter-specific assessment tools.
New readings include paragraph-length selections for each mode and more essays by well-known authors. Each chapter in Part 8, Readings for Writers, now opens with a paragraph-length model of professional writing and includes both student and professional selections that encourage students to put their critical thinking, reading, and writing skills to good use. A total of 28 readings — 20 of them new — include work by Diane Ackerman on massages, Michael Pollan on food, and Andrew Sullivan on gay marriage.
Students receive access to LearningCurve when they purchase a new copy of Real Skills with Readings. Bedford's new online, adaptive quizzing activities help students learn grammar and improve their writing.