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Read more about The Simple Math of Writing Well: Writing for the 21st Century

The Simple Math of Writing Well: Writing for the 21st Century

(8 reviews)

Jennie A. Harrop, George Fox University

Copyright Year: 2018

ISBN 13: 9780999829202

Publisher: George Fox University Library

Language: English

Formats Available

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Reviews

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Reviewed by Linda Haynes, Associate Director of Introductory Composition, Purdue University on 12/30/23

I can’t imagine that any textbook can cover everything an instructor wants in a single volume unless the instructor writes their own textbook, but this text explains a good deal of information well, especially Chapters 14-17 on Purpose, Audience,... read more

Reviewed by Jennifer Valdez, Associate Professor, Bunker Hill Community College on 5/28/20

The text covers a lot of ground: sentence-level concerns, paragraphs, essays, the writing process, research, and typical forms of professional writing. These are listed in the Table of Contents and key terms are highlighted. Key terms are not... read more

Reviewed by JoAnn McCarthy, Adjunct Faculty , Colorado State Board of Higher Education on 11/18/19

very comprehensive I liked how the book has a chapter on emails and letters read more

Reviewed by Linda McHenry, Instructor of first-year composition , Fort Hays State University on 11/4/18

Most chapters give general information. The ways writing is broken into formulas would assist those writers who struggle with understanding how to compose sentences and frame their ideas. read more

Reviewed by Polly Peterson, Assistant Professor of English, George Fox University on 6/19/18

An excellent choice as the principle book in a writing course or as a supplemental writing text in a discipline-specific class, this book is a brief and complete writing manual with an approachable voice, clear rules, ample examples, and... read more

Reviewed by Mike Mutschelknaus, English Instructor, Rochester Community and Technical College on 5/21/18

This textbook covers all of the topics that need to be taught in a high-level developmental writing class. After a thorough review of sentence and paragraph mechanics, Dr. Harrop moves into essay structure, the writing process, research, and even... read more

Reviewed by Jennifer Derrick, Instructor, Lake Superior College on 5/21/18

This book contains an index, and covers a lot of information. The material covered is similar to what's presented in other textbooks for college writing classes: grammar, basic building blocks of writing, rhetorical awareness, different styles of... read more

Reviewed by Leah Richards, Assistant Professor, LaGuardia Community College, City University of New York on 5/21/18

This text is a comprehensive guide to the writing process, and is well-organized, beginning with sentences and building up to paragraphs and then essays. The "math" idea in the title is indeed "simple": 1+1=2, and even the most complex sentences... read more

Table of Contents

Introduction: Myths And Rule Changes 1

Part I. The Sentence Equation

  • 1. Main Verbs
  • 2. Main Subjects
  • 3. Terminal Punctuation Marks
  • 4. Mid-Sentence Punctuation Marks
  • 5. Eight Parts Of Speech
  • 6. Consistency

Part II. The Paragraph Equation

  • 7. Topic Sentences
  • 8. Evidence
  • 9. Summary Sentences

Part III. The Essay Equation

  • 10. Thesis Statements
  • 11. Introductions
  • 12. Body Paragraphs
  • 13. Conclusions

Part IV. The Process Of Writing Well

  • 14. Purpose
  • 15. Audience
  • 16. Voice
  • 17. Context
  • 18. Claims And Appeals
  • 19. Clarity And Cohesion
  • 20. Revision And Creativity

Part V. Research

  • 21. Finding Credible Evidence
  • 22. Including Outside Evidence

Part VI. Academic Formatting

  • 23. Apa
  • 24. Mla
  • 25. Turabian

Part VII. Beyond Academia

  • 26. Emails
  • 27. Letters
  • 28. Reports And Proposals

Conclusion
About The Author

Ancillary Material

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About the Book

Writing guides abound, but The Simple Math of Writing Well is one of a kind. Readers will find its practical approach affirming, encouraging, and informative, and its focus on the basics of linguistic structure releases 21st-century writers to embrace the variety of mediums that define our internet-connected world. As Harrop reminds us in the opening chapters of her book, we write more today than ever before in history: texts, emails, letters, blogs, reports, social media posts, proposals, etc. The Simple Math of Writing Well is the first guide that directly addresses the importance of writing well in the Google age.

About the Contributors

Author

Dr. Jennie A. Harrop is a professor in George Fox University’s Department of Professional Studies, where she teaches writing, literature, and Christian apologetics, and serves as department chair. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Denver, an MFA in creative writing from Colorado State University, and a BA in journalism from Pacific Lutheran University, and she is completing a Doctor of Ministry in Semiotics and Future Studies at Portland Seminary. In addition to her teaching and administrative duties at George Fox, Harrop serves as director of the university’s Portland Writing Center. She lives in Oregon with her husband and five children.

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