Synopses & Reviews
VISIONS ACROSS THE AMERICAS presents 70 cross-cultural essays on diverse topics such as: Language and Culture; the Family; Americans and Immigrants; Education and Intelligence; Lifestyles; Racism, Sexism, and Ageism; American Society, Prejudices and Stereotypes; and Technology, Cyberspace, and the Cosmos. Each chapter provides students with a blueprint for a specific essay type, with pre- and post-reading questions and activities that reinforce an understanding of the rhetorical modes, and encourage them to think and write clearly and critically.
Review
"I have found that the discussions have improved for this course since using Visions because the students can connect the readings to their own cultural experiences."
Review
"The content coverage is particularly suitable to our . . . college students because the selections represent a similar diversity to that found in our classrooms. It is rare and wonderful to find selections written by immigrants and descendents of immigrants. . . ."
Review
"The questions, group activities, and writing activities are all excellent, and proved useful for various purposes."
Synopsis
Offering a collection of diverse readings reinforced with discussions of the rhetorical modes, the fifth edition now provides new essays, writing prompts, and an expanded glossary.
Table of Contents
1. COMMUNICATING IS LANGUAGE AT WORK. Tips on Becoming an Active Reader. Toni Morrison, Writers Together (annotated). Responding to Readings: Constructing Paragraphs and Essays. Generating Ideas and Establishing a Focus. Peter Elbow, Freewriting. Structuring Essays. Point of View: Position of Authority. Appropriate Use of Point of View. Lead-ins and Concluding Sentences. Transitions. Revising and Editing. Joanne Jaime, Marriage: The Changing Institution (annotated). Special Writing Activities: The Individual and Group Response. Journals, Reading/Writing Logs, and Thesis Notebooks. Response and Summary. Group Activities and Collaborative Writing. Pat Mora, Why I Am a Writer. Ray Bradbury, The Joy of Writing. Amy Tan, My Mother's English. 2. NARRATION. Common Elements of Narration. Creating Chronological Order. Developing Character. Establishing Mood and Tone. Tips on Writing Narrative Essays. Maxine Hong Kingston, Ghosts. Black Elk, The Offering of the Pipe as told to John G. Neihardt (Flaming Rainbow). Alice Walker, Journey to Nine Miles. Nguyen Ngoc Ngan, Saigon, April 1975. Alma Luz Villanueva, Leaps of Faith. Arthur C. Clarke, The Star. Additional Topics and Issues for Narrative Essays. 3. DESCRIPTION. Details: Appealing to the Five Senses. Figurative