Includes index

Contents: The basics of the short essay: Prewriting -- The thesis statement -- The body paragraphs -- Beginnings and endings -- Drafting and revising: creative thinking, critical thinking -- Effective sentences -- Word logic -- The reading-writing connection -- Purposes, modes and strategies: Exposition -- Argumentation -- Description -- Narration -- Writing essays using multiple strategies -- Special assignments: Writing a paper using research -- Writing in class: exams and "response" essays-- Writing about literature -- Writing about visual arts -- Writing about film -- Writing in the world of work -- A concise handbook: Major errors in grammar -- A concise guide to punctuation -- A concise to mechanics --