How Writing Works: A Guide to Composing Genres

by Jordynn Jack, Katie Rose Guest Pryal

Overview

College students are expected to master new genres in every course they take. Yet composition instructors can't possibly teach students every genre they will need for their college courses or careers. Instead of telling students how to write a genre, authors Jack and Pryal help students learn how a genre works using a genre toolkit that asks three questions: "What is it?" "Who reads it?" and "What's it for?" By taking this problem-solving approach to writing, How Writing Works prepares students for any writing situation that they may encounter at school, home, or work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780197619162
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/12/2022
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	496
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Jordynn Jack, Ph.D., is Chi Omega Distinguished Term Professor in English and Comparative Literature at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Katie Rose Guest Pryal, J.D., Ph.D., is a writer and keynote speaker, an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an Instructor in the Creative Writing Program at Drexel University.

Table of Contents

Part 1 : The Genre Toolkit

1. What Is It?
2. Who Reads It?
3. What's It For?

Part 2: Projects

4. Profiles
5. Analyses
6. Reviews
7. Argumentative Genres
8. Academic Research Genres
9. Workplace Genres

Part 3: Writing Process

10. Creating a Writing Process
11. Developing a Topic
12. Prewriting
13. Drafting
14. Generating Arguments
15. Organizing
16. Developing Style
17. Revising and Editing

Part 4: Research

18. Getting Started with Research
19. Conducting Database Research
20. Conducting Empirical Research
21. Avoiding Plagiarism
22. Integrating Sources
23. Citing Sources

Part 5: Making It Public

24. Designing Your Project
25. Publishing and Presenting

Editorial Reviews

"How Writing Works shows the process of writing through a variety of tools, projects, and sample readings. The idea of a toolkit is a powerful visual metaphor that helps students better understand the process of writing."—Paul Patterson, Saint Joseph's University

"The variety of genres is the strongest feature of How Writing Works as it allows me significant space to adapt my course writing to specific cohorts and within thematic spaces. Another strength is the variety of exercises and projects that incorporate digital writing and multi-media components. The prompts open productive discussions and brainstorming sessions with students."—Corey Dosch, South Puget Sound Community College

"How Writing Works is a timely and relevant text with an excellent breadth of examples. It is well-designed, focuses on beginning composition students' exploration of the writing process, and supports the writing instructor with excellent resources. I like the variety and flexibility it offers to the instructor."—Michael Johnson, Muskegon Community College

From the Publisher