Includes index.

Contents: The Writing process: Getting ready -- Learning the writing process -- Gathering information -- Focusing on the central idea -- Drafting, rewriting and editing: Outlining and drafting an essay -- Rewriting drafts -- Preparing a final copy -- Designing and developing paragraphs: Writing focused, unified and coherent paragraphs -- Developing ideas and arranging details in a paragraph -- Writing introductions and conclusions -- Special assignments: persuasion and research (MLA/ APA): Writing paragrphs and essays that persuade -- Learning how research and to take notes -- Writing the research paper using the modern language association (MLA) format -- Writing the research paper using the American psychological association (APA) format -- Tools for revision and editing: Sentence sense -- Sentence building blocks -- Sentence strucutre -- Sentence logic and effectiveness -- Correct usage: Agreement -- Verb forms and tenses -- Pronouns -- Adjectives and adverbs -- Word choice -- Wordiness -- Punctuation, spelling and mechanics: End punctuation -- Commas -- Semicolons and colons -- Other marks of punctuation -- Spelling -- Mechanics.