Why Write? : An Anthology for Introductory Composition

Equips students with the knowledge, skillsets, and applied practice needed to improve their academic writing, critical thinking skills, and research capability. The anthology provides thought-provoking readings, which are complemented by before-you-read and as-you-read suggestions, prompts, reflection exercises, and opportunities for discussion.

Why Write? An Anthology for Introductory Composition equips students with the knowledge, skillsets, and applied practice needed to improve their academic writing, critical thinking skills, and research capability. The anthology provides students with engaging and thought-provoking readings, which are complemented by before-you-read and as-you-read suggestions, writing prompts, reflection exercises, and opportunities for discussion.

Section One helps students understand who they are as writers and how to imbue their writing with their unique experiences, viewpoints, and strengths. They are introduced to exploratory writing, personal narratives, essay writing, the writing process, active voice, and strategies for improving written works with revision. In Section Two, students learn who they are as critical thinkers while also learning how to effectively and confidently construct and defend an argument. Section Three helps students understand who they are as researchers. They learn how research and knowledge can strengthen arguments, deepen personal analysis of works, and further develop writing effectiveness.

An enlightening and practical anthology, Why Write? is ideal for foundational courses in English, composition, and rhetoric. It can also be used to support freshman orientation or student success courses and programs.