The Compact Reader: Short Essays by Method and Theme

From its well-chosen essays to its thorough editorial apparatus to its distinctive organization,TheCompact Readerprovides the fundamental support students need to become confident writers. The innovative dual organization -- rhetorical and thematic -- introduces essential strategies of writing while engaging students with brief readings on captivating topics. For instructors who want a concise, affordable, effective resource for teaching the connection between form and content,The CompactReaderis the perfect choice.

JANE E. AARON is a professional writer and editor as well as an experienced teacher. She is the author of the Little, Brown Handbook and co-editor of the best-selling Bedford Reader (Bedford/St. Martin's). She has served as consultant, editor, or writer on more than a dozen other textbooks for the first-year composition course. ELLEN KUHL REPETTO (M.A., University of Massachusetts Boston) is a freelance editor and writer who has contributed to more than twenty composition readers, handbooks, and rhetorics. She is the author of The Bedford/St. Martin's Textbook Reader (2003), Readings for Discoveries: A Collection of Short Essays (2006), and Hope over Hardship: A History of the Boston Home, 1881 - 2006 (2007).

 

PART ONE: A COMPACT GUIDE TO READING AND WRITING 1  READING Reading Attentively
Reading Critically
     *Examining Visuals
     *Colin Gregory Palmer, Homeless (photograph)
Analyzing a Sample Essay     Barbara Lazear Ascher, The Box Man 2 DEVELOPING AN ESSAYGetting Started
Forming a Thesis
Organizing
Drafting     Grace Patterson, First Draft (student essay) 3 REVISING Reading Your Own Work Critically
Looking at the Whole Draft
Using a Revision Checklis     Grace Patterson, Revised Draft (student essay) *4 EDITINGMaking Sentences Clear and Effective
     *Clarity
Choosing Clear and Effective Words
     Grace Patterson, A Rock and a Hard Place
          *Brant Ward, Shelter (photograph)
PART TWO: SHORT ESSAYS BY METHOD AND THEME  5 NARRATION: Recalling Childhood Reading Narration
Analyzing Narration in Paragraphs     Michael Ondaatje, from Running in the Family
     *Donald Hall, from Unpacking the Boxes
Developing a Narrative Essay
A Note on Thematic Connections
     Annie Dillard, The Chase
     Langston Hughes, Salvation
     Kaela Hobby-Reichstein, Learning Race (student essay)
Writing with the Method
Writing About the Theme 6  DESCRIPTION: *Experiencing New PlacesReading Description
Analyzing Description in Paragraphs
     *Helene Cooper, from The House at Sugar Beach
     *Matthew Power, from “The Magic Mountain”
Developing a Descriptive Essay
A Note on Thematic Connections
     Marta K. Taylor, Desert Dance (student essay)
     *Amanda Fields, Cairo Tunnel
     *William Least Heat-Moon, Starrucca Viaduct
Writing with the Method
Writing About the Theme 7  EXAMPLE: Using LanguageReading Examples
Analyzing Examples in Paragraphs
     Deborah Tannen, from Talking from 9 to 5     William Lutz, from Doublespeak
Developing an Essay by Example
A Note on Thematic Connections
     Kim Kessler, Blah Blah Blah (student essay)     *Anita Jain, A Nameless Respect      Perri Klass, She's Your Basic L.O.L. in N.A.D.
Writing with the Method
Writing About the Theme 8 DIVISION OR ANALYSIS: Looking at Popular Culture Reading Division or Analysis
Analyzing Division or Analysis in Paragraphs
     Jon Pareles, from “Gather No Moss, Take No Prisoners, but Be Cool”
     Luci Tapahanso, from Sign Language
Developing an Essay by Division or Analysis
A Note on Thematic Connections
     Dave Barry, Humvee Satisfies a Man's Lust for Winches 
     *Andrew Warren III, Paying Off the Interest: The Success of Merchandise and Consumer Sentiment (student essay)
     Thomas de Zengotita, American Idol Worship 
Writing with the Method
Writing About the Theme 9 CLASSIFICATION: *Sorting Friends and NeighborsReading Classification
Analyzing Classification in Paragraphs
     *Nelson George, from “Strangers on His Street”
     *Kevin Roose, from The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University
Developing an Essay by Classification
A Note on Thematic Connections
     *Brandon Griggs, The 12 Most Annoying Types of Facebookers
     Jonathan R. Gould, The People Next Door (student essay)
     Marion Winik, What Are Friends For?
Writing with the Method
Writing About the Theme 10 PROCESS ANALYSIS: *Eating Well Reading Process Analysis
Analyzing Processes in Paragraphs
     *L. Rust Hill, from “How to Eat an Ice Cream Cone”
     Jane E. Brody, from Jane Brody's Nutrition Book
Developing an Essay by Process Analysis
A Note on Thematic Connections
     *Glenn Erikson, How to Survive at Chuck E. Cheese (student essay)
     *Lars Eighner, Dumpster Diving
     *Barbara Kingsolver, Stalking the Vegetannual
Writing with the Method
Writing About the Theme
11 COMPARISON AND CONTRAST: Evaluating Stereotypes Reading Comparison and Contrast
Analyzing Comparison and Contrast in Paragraphs
     Michael Dorris, from “Noble Savages? We'll Drink to That”
     Julia Álvarez, from “A White Woman of Color”
Developing an Essay by Comparison and Contrast
A Note on Thematic Connections
     Leanita McClain, The Middle-Class Black's Burden
     Cheryl Peck, Fatso
     Alaina Wong, China Doll (student essay)
Writing with the Method
Writing About the Theme 12 DEFINITION: Clarifying Family Relationships Reading Definition
Analyzing Definition in Paragraphs
     Firoozeh Dumas, from Funny in Farsi
     *Sandra Cisneros, from “Only Daughter”
Developing an Essay by Definition
A Note on Thematic Connections
     *Ashley Rhodes, Fatherhood Is Essential (student essay)
     Judy Brady, I Want a Wife
     Andrew Sullivan, The “M-Word”: Why It Matters to Me
Writing with the Method
Writing About the Theme 13 CAUSE-AND-EFFECT ANALYSIS: Understanding Markets and Consumers Reading Cause-and-Effect Analysis
Analyzing Causes and Effects in Paragraphs
     Barbara Ehrenreich, from Nickle and Dimed
     *Pico Iyer, from “The Joy of Less”
Developing an Essay by Cause-and-Effect Analysis
A Note on Thematic Connections
     Stephanie Alaimo and Mark Koester, The Backdraft of Technology (student essay)
     *Dana Thomas, The Fake Trade
     *Charlie Le Duff, End of the Line
Writing with the Method
Writing About the Theme 14 ARGUMENT AND PERSUASION: Debating Law and Order Reading Argument and Persuasion
Analyzing Argument and Persuasion in Paragraphs
     *Jenny Price, from “Gun Violence at UC Irvine”
     Martin Luther King Jr., from “Letter from Birmingham Jail”
Developing an Argumentative and Persuasive Essay
A Note on Thematic Connections
     Anna Quindlen, The C Word In the Hallways
     *Linda Chavez, Redefining the Problem Won't Make It Go Away 
     *Charlie Spence, Sixteen (student essay)
     ] Ira Glasser, Drug Busts = Jim Crow
     ] James R. McDonough, Critics Scapegoat the Antidrug Laws
Writing with the Method
Writing About the Theme APPENDIX: WORKING WITH SOURCES
Writing about Readings
Using Research to Support a Thesis
Synthesizing Source Material
Avoiding Plagiarism
Documenting Sources in MLA Style
Sample Documented Essay
     Tae Andrews, Urban Neanderthals: The Damaging Effects of Media Stereotypes on Young African American Males (student essay)