Writing Textbook Policy 
 

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Basic Writing/Writing 121: Composition Textbook Policy, 2006-2007
with recommendations for WR 122, WR123, and WR 227  texts

I.                   Basic Writing Textbook Policy:

WR 60:

Writing 60 course pack—Oregon Trail theme

AND

A handbook—Rosen, The Academic Writer’s Handbook (Pearson/Longman) [0321338316] This handbook is a lot more than a handbook offering sections on the writing process, evaluating sources, and writing across the disciplines. The Academic Writer’s Handbook still offers the usual handbook components such as grammar, punctuation, and documentation styles and offers enough support that it can carry students through to higher levels of writing and still be quite useful.

WR 65:

Writing 65 course pack—Salem Witch Trials theme (Please note that there are more themes coming soon, but the Salem packet is ready.)

AND

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. (Penguin) [0142437336]

AND

A handbook—Rosen, The Academic Writer’s Handbook (Pearson/Longman) [0321338316] This handbook is a lot more than a handbook offering sections on the writing process, evaluating sources, and writing across the disciplines. The Academic Writer’s Handbook still offers the usual handbook components such as grammar, punctuation, and documentation styles and offers enough support that it can carry students through to higher levels of writing and still be quite useful.

WR 75:

Yagelski, TheThomson Reader: Conversations in Context.  (Thomson/Wadsworth) [1413013600] (chapters 1-6)

AND

A handbook—Rosen, The Academic Writer’s Handbook (Pearson/Longman) [0321338316] This handbook is a lot more than a handbook offering sections on the writing process, evaluating sources, and writing across the disciplines. The Academic Writer’s Handbook still offers the usual handbook components such as grammar, punctuation, and documentation styles and offers enough support that it can carry students through to higher levels of writing and still be quite useful.

WR 95:

 Yagelski, TheThomson Reader: Conversations in Context.  (Thomson/Wadsworth) [1413013600] (chapters 7-12)

AND

A handbook—Rosen, The Academic Writer’s Handbook (Pearson/Longman) [0321338316] This handbook is a lot more than a handbook offering sections on the writing process, evaluating sources, and writing across the disciplines. The Academic Writer’s Handbook still offers the usual handbook components such as grammar, punctuation, and documentation styles and offers enough support that it can carry students through to higher levels of writing and still be quite useful.
 

II.                WR121 Textbook Policy:

All WR 121 instructors should select and use one of the approved text combinations enumerated below.  New instructors must use the default text during their first quarter teaching WR 121 unless they have taught WR 121 previously and are hired early enough to order one of the alternative texts. All instructors must choose from the list below unless a formal written request is provided to the Textbook Committee at least one week before the adoption due date.  Written formal requests should explain how the chosen text will be used to help students meet the WR 121 course outcomes. A brief report evaluating the effectiveness of the alternative text is due before the start of the following quarter.  The optional handbook below is not a required text, simply an option. 

Default Texts
(Required): Axelrod, Rise B. and Charles R. Cooper. Reading Critically, Writing Well: A Reader and Guide, 7th ed. (Bedford/St.Martin’s) [0312414773]

A text that actually give students some guidance in how to read effectively, Reading Critically looks at strategies rather than modes, and in each case addresses rhetorical concerns.  Each chapter also contains exercises (Reading for Meaning/Reading Like a Writer) and “guides” to writing the various types of essays that include invention, drafting, reading a draft critically, revising, and editing. Examples of student writing are also included. Very student-friendly.

(Optional) Rosen, The Academic Writer’s Handbook (Pearson/Longman) [0321338316] This handbook is a lot more than a handbook offering sections on the writing process, evaluating sources, and writing across the disciplines. The Academic Writer’s Handbook still offers the usual handbook components such as grammar, punctuation, and documentation styles and offers enough support that it can carry students through to higher levels of writing and still be quite useful.

Other pre-approved texts include:

Muller, The McGraw-Hill Reader: Issues Across the Disciplines, 9th. ed. [0073210382]

This text features thematically arranged readings from the sciences, social sciences and humanities (with an alternative table of contents arranged by rhetorical mode).

Ballenger, The Curious Writer, Concise Edition (Pearson/Longman) [0321437810]

Longman has a series of topic readers that offer an affordable alternative ($20.00) to students when used with instructor’s own well-established course pack or a course pack such as the one written by Quay and McCage for use with the Longman topics readers. Below are a couple of topics readers written by COCC teachers, but many more topics are available. See the Longman website for a complete list. There are about 15 topics on a wide variety of issues such as gender, race, culture, music, work, and more available at this time. If you are interested in Quay and McCage’s course pack, please contact one of them.

Lyons, Body and Culture. (Longman) [0321317424]

Greshman/McCage, Issues in Education (Longman) [0321338995] (Please note that this book isn’t available until September.)

Alternative Handbook

Hacker/A Pocket Style Manual, 4th ed. (Bedford/SMP) [0312406843]

Note that basic writing students may have the Academic Writer’s Handbook; please consider allowing those students to continue using that handbook rather than purchasing a new one.
 

III.       Suggested Textbooks for WR 122

The following is a list of recommended WR 122 texts; however, the choice is up to the individual instructor.  Your choice should be guided by how well you and your students can use the text(s) to achieve approved WR 122 competencies.  Review copies of these textbooks are either in Kathy Williams’ or in the Deschutes 12 staff office.  Please contact the appropriate textbook representative for the most current editions.

Crusius and Channell/The Aims of Argument, Brief. 5th ed. (McGraw-Hill) [0073196762]

Presents four types of argumentation, including Arguing to Inquire, and with different readings and casebooks. This text is also available with full readings. The ISBN is [0073201960]

Faigley and Selzer/Good Reasons with Contemporary Arguments, 3rd ed.  (Pearson Longman) [0321364961]

Emphasis is on audience and the rhetorical situation. This text is also available without the readings at a lower cost with the ISBN [0321316819].

Spatt/Writing From Sources, 6th ed. (Bedford) [031239098X]

Although some instructors have used this book for WR 123, it seems equally or even more suited to WR 122 since it offers in-depth instruction on integrating sources into the researched essay.  Many of the readings are arguments; however, there are no chapters on argumentation.  There are also many supplements—for both student and instructor—available with this text. 

Williams and Colomb/The Craft of Argument: Concise (Pearson/Longman) [0321091868]

This text offers an accessible presentation of Toulmin.
 

IV.       Suggested Textbooks for WR 123

Ballenger, Bruce. The Curious Researcher: A Guide to Writing Research Papers. 5th ed.
(Pearson/Longman) [0321366492] 

This book “places inquiry at the heart of the course” and provides students with an interesting and engaging approach to the research paper.  Strategies, process, and many examples are provided in this user-friendly, but not prescriptive text.

Lester and Lester, Jr./The Essential Guide: Research Writing Across the Disciplines, 3rd ed.
(Longman) [0321276396]

A short version of the text below.  This would be a good choice if you have an established course packet.

Lester and Lester, Jr./Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide, 11th ed.
(Longman) [0321236467]

Spiral bound with tabs, the book is a complete guide with the usual information including websites. Covers all the documentation systems, but not equally: MLA is given the most space.
 

V.                 Suggested Textbooks for WR 227

Lannon, John. Technical Communication.  10th ed. (Pearson/Longman) [0321270762]

Gurak & Lannon.  A Concise Guide to Technical Communication. 3rd ed. (Pearson/Longman) [0321391683] 

Markel, Mike. Technical Communication. 8th ed. (Bedford/St. Martin’s) [0312441975]
 

VI.       Old Editions Policy

Because the department is expected to absorb the costs associated with any old editions that are not purchased by students, instructors should NOT order old editions. We will do our best to keep this list as current as possible, but should you accidentally order an old edition, you will receive notification from the bookstore.

The Textbook Committee, April 2006

(C. McCage; E. SumpterLatham; R. Quay; J. Agatucci)

Updated April 17, 2006

 


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Writing Textbook Committee
Crystal McCage, Chair
URL of this webpage: http://www.cocc.edu/humanities/courses/writing/textcomm.htm  
Last updated: 06 June 2006