Highlights
Modern Selections
More than half the readings are new, most written in the last ten years. From Sebastian Junger’s report of war against the Taliban in Afghanistan to Dave Barry’s hilarious essay defining guys vs. men, to an article from The Onion reporting on a church bake sale at which all seven deadly sins were committed, readings in The Norton Sampler will interest students. There are 63 readings total.
RealTime Readings
A RealTime reading in each chapter shows narration, description, and the other modes of writing in everyday "real world" texts. Descriptive writing from a watch catalog, causal analysis from an Outside Magazine Q&A column, and a comparison of Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett from the New York Times sports section show students that the modes of writing are used in all the writing and thinking that we do. And all RealTime readings include visual components, demonstrating that contemporary writing now encompasses more than just words.
Inside the Writing Process
A specially commissioned essay by Annie Dillard looks at the process she followed while writing her famous essay, "The Death of a Moth." The two essays introduce the book with a beautiful explication that shows how Dillard herself uses the modes of writing to glorious effect.
Sets an Example
Beautifully written, demonstrating its own lessons about good writing. Students will find the book accessible and inspiring.
Integrated Web Site
The new Web site offers links to texts written for the Web, showing how the modes of writing play out online. Each link is introduced by a short headnote with contextual information and is followed by study questions.
Read more about the Web Site on the eMedia & Ancillaries page
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