Fundamentals of Essay Writing: An Orientation Manual

Fundamentals of Essay Writing is designed to stimulate the improvement of student writing in all courses. It can serve as an introduction to basic composition as well as a handy refresher guide. This concise book teaches by question and answer. What is a good writer? What is an essay? How is self-concept related to writing ability? Why is it important to have an introduction and a conclusion? What is analysis? What are the types of essays? What is fluency and how can it be achieved? What can be done about writer's block?

Fundamentals of Essay Writing presents the essential rules of punctuation, analyzes an essay to illustrate how a skilled writer might use the various modes of discourse effectively, and has a special section on how to write book reviews. It is infinitely more contemporary and less confusing than the Chicago Manual of Style , therefore more accessible to students. Writing examples are primarily drawn from African American literature, making this book all the more important for students of African American studies.