Prentice Hall Reader

The Prentice Hall Readeris predicated on two premises: that reading plays a vital role in learning how to write and that writing and reading can best be organized around the traditional division of discourse into a number of structural patterns. Such a division is not the only way that the forms of writing can be classified, but it does have several advantages. First, practice in these structural patterns encourages students to organize knowledge and to see the ways in which information can be conveyed. How else does the mind know except by classifying, comparing, defining, or seeking cause and effect relationships? Second, the most common use of these patterns occurs in writing done in academic courses. There students are asked to narrate a chain of events, to describe an artistic style, to classify plant forms, to compare two political systems, to tell how a laboratory experiment was performed, to analyze why famine occurs in Africa, to define a philosophical concept, or to argue for or against building a space station. Learning how to structure papers using these patterns is an exercise that has immediate application in students' other academic work. Finally, because the readings use these patterns as structural devices, they offer an excellent way in which to integrate reading into a writing course. Students can see the patterns at work and learn how to use them to become more effective writers and better, more efficient readers. WHAT IS NEW IN THE SEVENTH EDITION The seventh edition ofThe Prentice Hall Readerfeatures 54 essays, 15 of which are new, and another 11 papers written by student writers. Also new to this edition are 9 poems or short, short stories that show the organizational strategies at work. As in the previous editions, the readings are chosen on the basis of several criteria: how well they demonstrate a particular pattern of organization, appeal to a freshman audience, and promote interesting and appropriate discussion and writing activities. The seventh edition ofThe Prentice Hall Readerincludes a number of new features: Literary Examples of Each Organizational Strategy.A poem or short, short story has been added to each of the nine chapters. These creative examples show how the strategies can be used to structure not just essays, but poetry and fiction as well. Each selection has discussion questions and writing suggestions. New Prewriting and Rewriting Suggestions.Each of the 9 chapters ends with a list of prewriting and rewriting suggestions for that particular strategy. The suggestions offer students a convenient checklist of appropriate activities. Writing Links. Each essay has a "Writing Link" that focuses students' attention on how the writer uses punctuation, word choice, sentence structure, typographical devices, and paragraph skills to create an effective essay. The links will help build bridges between the content of the essays and the writing skills they reveal. New Chapter Introductions.Each chapter introduction has been rewritten to emphasize the visual display of information. The seventh edition retains and improves upon some of the popular student features from earlier editions: Visualizing.Sections in each chapter show how the writing strategy is embodied in visual forms. A panel cartoon is a narrative, a technical drawing details a process, advertisements (even for products that do not exist!) show persuasion at work. Writing in Other Disciplines.Each chapter provides examples of how the traditional patterns of organization are used in writing for other college courses. Prereading Questions.These questions help connect the reading to students' experience and focus their reading attention. Writers on Writing.Writers share their observations on the process of finding a subject, composing, and revising. Links to the Website.Miller, George is the author of 'Prentice Hall Reader', published 2003 under ISBN 9780131828018 and ISBN 0131828010.