Description
Book SynopsisUsing casual language and a straightforward approach, Better Writing: Beyond Periods and Commas provides students with an easy-to-read and effective guide for developing their writing skills. Rather than intimidate and overwhelm novice writers with vast sets of rules, Travis Koll utilizes simple explanations and examples to demystify the writing process. Armed with this better understanding, one that reaches far beyond the mere mechanics of punctuation and grammar, students can begin to recognize the true nature and significance of writing, its potential impact on their readers, and the importance of their voices in their communities and the world.
Trade ReviewBetter Writing helps unpack academic discourse for students. Koll gives voice to the challenges students face in the university and helps students avoid common errors (such as thesaurus-abuse and poor source usage) by providing them with a clear path to success in a style that is accessible. A must-read for those entering academia. -- Andrea Osteen-Chinn, Instructor of English
The tone of T.J. Koll’s Better Writing is warm and engaging, the voice of the kind and nurturing writing instructor that we all wish we had and that we all aspire to be. Relentlessly pragmatic, Koll focuses on the nuts and bolts of the writing process, all the while making clear that improvement lies within the reach of all who care enough to work hard at it. The book comes across as the work of a practitioner, someone who writes as well as teaches, [and] someone who invites us to join him in practicing the craft of writing. -- Kevin Coots, Professor of English
Travis Koll’s Better Writing presents a light-hearted, straight-talking, and culturally relevant approach to the standard fare. It is English instruction as students wish it could be—candid, entertaining, and demystified. Koll’s book is an absolute must for the college classroom. -- Laura Tussey, Assistant Professor of English
Better Writing is an engaging book, written in a conversational and respectful way. There is no condescension. It is a matter-of-fact manual that helps students understand the complexity of college writing. -- Nigel Medhurst, English Lecturer
T.J. Koll presents a refreshing and new perspective on composition by including both the student and instructor perspectives on things like writing, research and grammar. This accessible little book guides students through steps that will help them grow into more sophisticated and confident academic writers. -- Sheri McClure-Baker, Instructor of English
Table of ContentsPreface About the Author Dedication Acknowledgements Introduction: The Teacher’s Perspective Chapter 1: About Those Commas and Periods Chapter 2: Development: Writing Beyond the Facts Chapter 3: Internet Research Chapter 4: Computers and Composition Chapter 5: The Writing Process Chapter 6: Thesaurus Nightmares Chapter 7: Introduction and Conclusions Chapter 8: That Elusive “Flow” Chapter 9: Argumentative Writing Conclusion: Why Writing Matters
