Writers at Work: A Guide to Basic Writing

I have been using this book to teach university sophomore composition class this semester. We have used the first four chapters, and plan to finish one more by the end of the semester. It appears that it will be good for a 2 semester course (2 hrs/wk, 16 wk semesters).Singleton is primarily concerned with organizing ideas and putting them in a sensible order. The chapters progress very nicely, with skills building on each other. Some of the assignment ideas are slightly mundane (i.e. favorite person, the weekend, holidays), but that allows for an overall structure that makes grading easier. In addition, as the chapters progress the topics become more interesting and flexible.Singleton also focuses on written grammar, one piece at a time. Again, this progresses nicely from chapter to chapter. She assumes a basic ability to write sentences, and a reasonable vocabulary. This book would be frustrating to teach to a class just learning to spell.It is noteworthy that every chapter is accompanied by extra activities, some conversational, some written, and some artsy-fartsy.There is also a large section in the back on editing. It has a lot of supplemental material for a variety of problems. This section is essentially a lecture on some different editing marks that teachers use in checking students' papers. It is potentially useful for teachers who do not already have a system for marking papers. It focuses on grammatical items covered in the text.The students in my class seem to be satisfied with the book, and I know that I am. One recomendation: get the teacher's manual to go with it! I have been teaching without it, and there are occasional problems. My English grammar skills are sometimes not up to explaining the distinctions she makes in the student exercises.If you are being thrown into teaching a composition class and have no idea what textbook to use, this is an excellent choice.Chapter Headings:Intro to writingCh. 1 Morning or Night Person?Ch. 2 A Person Important to YouCh. 3 The WeekendCh. 4 A Scary or Funny ExperienceCh. 5 HolidaysCh. 6 Unfinished StoriesCh. 7 A Favorite PlaceCh. 8 The Ideal SpouseCh. 9 What's Your Opinion?Ch. 10 Ten Years from now.Quick Check: an editing guide to academic English