Crafting Expository Argument: Practical Approaches to the Writing Process for Students and Teachers

Constance Weaver presents the theory of teaching grammar in the context of writing, yet as a high school teacher it was nearly impossible to find a realistic example of this theory. Degen unexpectedly demonstrates not only how he incorporates the grammar into the context of writing, but also how to address revision, problems that may occur during instruction, and model examples. The book is a unit of instruction for expository and literary analysis writing, but clearly demonstrates Weaver's philosophy in a way that teachers can recreate or revise it for their needs. This is an outstanding resource for any high school instructor teaching non-fiction writing. Be aware the book is not designed to be read from beginning to end, but instead presents the lesson plan at the beginning of the book with each lesson, resources, and handouts included farther into the book. However, once you figure out the layout of the book, it's fine.

This book has everything for AP Lit and Language students--sample paragraphs, sample papers, strategies for effective paragraph development and a dynamic grammar section, which my students laud for its clarity. I love the editing symbols. With class loads only increasing, Degen provides an answer for grading more quickly but also providing meaningful feedback for students. What more do you want from a reader of the AP exam?

As a parent I have found the first edition enormously useful in helping my son write his English papers. I really appreciate having a text with so many useful samples and checklists. All the teacher's expectations are printed in 175 pages! Boy is that rare!

I love the sample student paragraphs, introductions, conclusions and whole essays--all annotated for students to model. I love the clear steps for constructing organized paragraphs and essays, the checklists for thesis statements, topic sentences, paragraphs, introductions, and conclusions. The students love the examples of how to fix common student errors: awkward textual support, poor transitions, inadequate elaboration, weak verbs, sentences off topic, etc. My principal appreciates the grammar resources and activities, the MLA guidelines, and the glossary of literary terms--he's a utilitarian! What's better is that students can purchase the text for under $15, less than the cost of doing all this by xerox machine.

I teach AP English and regular English and I have my students purchase a copy of this useful text. I no longer have to create and xerox sample paragraphs; sample papers; sample exercises in correcting coherence, style, and elaboration. I also spend less time correcting papers. The students turn to the editing key to intepret the practical symbols. No longer do I have to write out long explanations of sentences that awkwardly incorporate textual support, of paragraphs that lack organization; of topic sentences that are too vague, of sentences that stray off the topic of the paragraph. In addition, my students can follow the checklists for paragraph development and paper development. I appreciate that this text contains what I would have normally had to create myself.