American Lives, American Issues

Reflecting today's more personalized and openly contentious environment surrounding pluralism and diversity, this innovative anthology links autobiographical and argumentative writing in case-study fashion in order to explore the pros and cons of issues that arise in everyday life. Consists of two kinds of writings—essays about individual lives (autobiographies, human-interest stories) and argumentative or analytic essays (often arranged in terms of opposing viewpoints). Stresses the importance of individual experience and the connection of that vital experience to analysis, generalization and reasoned argument, and helps readers learn to develop and ultimately define their own sense of pluralistic culture today. Groups readings under personal narratives, American places, pluralism, gender, homosexuality, religion, and change in America. Begins each chapter with an autobiographical essay or a human interest story to help readers understand the play of ambiguity and complexity in actual experience. Presents an informal approach to the essentials of argumentative essays by providing a healthy interplay of well-articulated opposing viewpoints on a range of pluralistic and multicultural discussions, emphasizing specific conflicts in generalization and support, and encouraging readers to work out their own understanding of the validity of the respective arguments or analysis. For users who wish to hone their argumentative writing skills, or for general readers interested in a diverse compilation of essays on pluralism, diversity and multiculturalism.