An impressive variety of classic and contemporary selections. The 113 essays and 7 short stories range from classic pieces to fresh new works that encourage students to read carefully, explore new ideas, and develop strong voices.
A flexible, accessible organization to allow the most teaching options. With selections grouped into four parts — Personal Writing, Expository Writing, Argumentative Writing, and The Short Story — The Writer's Presence reflects writers' varied purposes and includes a balance of types of writing. Its alphabetical organization within the parts frees instructors to teach individual pieces in any order they choose. Alternate tables of contents suggest arrangements by theme and rhetorical mode.
Minimal apparatus in the book itself keeps the focus on the writing. An introduction for students and a collection of quotations on writing begin the book. For each selection, a brief headnote and a few questions provide enough information to give context and suggest connections to other readings.
"The Writer at Work" selections present writers' views of their own work. These popular supplemental pieces include 30 excerpts from interviews and essays in which authors discuss their writing process and their identities as writers.
The most comprehensive instructor’s manual for any composition reader. The manual provides additional apparatus, assignments, and advice, along with a wealth of ideas for teaching every selection in the book.