Effective writing through critical thinking.   Above all others, this rhetorical patterns reader provides a comprehensive grounding in critical thinking as the foundation for close reading and effective writing.  Just as important, by exposing the reader  to interesting and insightful prose by a diversity of top writers, the reader is motivated to respond in writing and discussions.  By thinking, reading, and writing on three increasingly difficult levels - literally, interpretively, and critically - readers can better learn the processes and skills necessary to be successful in all their writing experiences.            

Table of Contents:
The Prose Reader Essays for Thinking, Reading, and Writing Ninth edition   Part I:  Critical Thinking–The Key to Success   1  Why Learn How to Think Critically?   2  What Exactly is Critical Thinking? *LINDA ELDER, Looking to the Future with a Critical Eye: A Message for High School Graduates *BRIAN DENIS EGAN, The Role of Critical Thinking in Effective Decision Making *HOWARD GABENNESCH,  Critical Thinking: What Is It Good For? (In Fact, What Is It?)   3  What Do I Need to Know about Reading and Writing Critically?     Part II: Reading and Writing Critically   4 Description: Exploring through the Senses RAY BRADBURY, Summer Rituals KIMBERLY WOZENCRAFT, Notes from the Country Club LINDA HOGAN, Dwellings MALCOLM COWLEY, The View from 80 JOHN MCPHEE, The Pines Chapter Writing Assignments   5 Narration:Telling a Story LEWIS SAWAQUAT, For My Indian Daughter MAYA ANGELOU, New Directions *FIROOZEH DUMAS, LeffingwellElementary School SANDRA CISNEROS, Only daughter RUSSELL BAKER, The Saturday Evening Post Chapter Writing Assignments   6 Example:Illustrating Ideas BILL COSBY, The Baffling Question RICHARD RODRIGUEZ, Public and Private Language HAROLD KRENTS, Darkness at Noon *JOEL STEIN, You are Not My Friend  BRENT STAPLES, A Brother’s Murder Chapter Writing Assignments   7 Process Analysis: Explaining Step by Step *JAY WALLJASPER, Our Schedules, Our Selves JESSICA MITFORD, Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain *ALICE LESCH KELLY, Toughen Up! MALCOLM X, Learning to Read JULIA BOURLAND,  Getting Out of Debt (and Staying Out) Chapter Writing Assignments   8 Division/Classification:Finding Categories *TAMALA EDWARDS, Multi-Colored Families K.C. COLE, Calculated Risks JUDITH WALLERSTEIN AND SANDRA BLAKESLEE, Second Chances for Children of Divorce AMY TAN, Mother Tongue STEPHANIE ERICSSON, The Ways We Lie Chapter Writing Assignments   9 Comparison/Contrast:Discovering Similarities and Differences *BEN DATTNER, Is Your Workplace Personality out of (Birth) Order  SCOTT RUSSELL SANDERS, Homeplace WILLIAM OUCHI,  Japanese and American Workers: Two Casts of Mind GLORIA STEINEM, The Politics of Muscle SUCHENG CHAN, You’re Short, Besides! Chapter Writing Assignments   10 Definition:Limiting the Frame of Reference *MARC GELLMAN, Worry. Don’t Be Happy ROBERT RAMIREZ, The Barrio *CLAUDIA WALLIS AND SONJA STEPTOE, How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century  MARY PIPHER,  Beliefs About Families LYNN MIKEL BROWN AND MEDA CHESNEY-LIND, Bad Girls, Bad Girls, Whatcha Gonna Do? Chapter Writing Assignments   11 Cause/Effect:Tracing Reasons and Results STEPHEN KING, Why We Crave Horror Movies MICHAEL DORRIS, The Broken Cord SHERMAN ALEXIE, The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me MARY ROACH, Meet the Bickersons ALICE WALKER, Beauty: When the Other Dancer Is the Self Chapter Writing Assignments   12 Argument and Persuasion:Inciting People to Thought or Action *Photo EssayTag, You’re It! *FRANK FUREDI, Our Unhealthy Obsession with Sickness BARRETT SEAMAN, How Bingeing Became the New College Sport DAVE GROSSMAN, We Are Training Our Kids to Kill KIM SEVERSON, I’m Not Willing to Settle for Crumbs Opposing Viewpoints: Immigration MICHAEL SCOTT, America Must Take Stronger Measures to Halt Illegal Immigration RICHARD RAYNOR, Illegal Immigration Does Not Threaten America Opposing Viewpoints: Postconviction DNA Testing TIM O'BRIEN, Postconviction DNA Testing Should Be Encouraged JAMES DAO, In Same Case, DNA Clears Convict and Finds Suspect PETER ROFF, Postconviction DNA Testing Should Not Be Encouraged Chapter Writing Assignments   13  Thinking, Reading, and Writing in Different Literary Forms: Combining Rhetorical Modes Essays ROGER ROSENBLATT, “I Am Writing Blindly” RITA MAE BROWN, Writing as a Moral Act Fiction RICHARD WRIGHT, The Library Card *JESSICA  BLAU  Red-Headed Poetry BILLY COLLINS, Books ROBERT FRANCIS, Catch and Glass Drama NEENA BEEBER, Misreadings Chapter Writing Assignments     Part III: Readingand Writing from Sources    R-1  Introducing the Documented Essay  R-2  Reading a Documented Essay  BARBARA EHRENREICH, The Ecstasy of War  R-3 Preparing to Write Your Own Documented Essay  R-4  Finding Sources  R-5  Avoiding Plagiarism  R-6  Staying Organized  R-7  Writing the Paper  R-8  Documenting  R-9  Rewriting   Checklist   Chapter Writing Assignments   Glossary of Useful Terms   Index of Authors and Titles   *new to this edition