Macmillan Reader

By Judith Nadell

Successful, and widely praised for its superior instructional apparatus and thought-provoking readings, The Macmillan Reader offers fresh examples of professional essays, separate chapters on reading and writing, detailed introductions to the patterns of development, and "before" and "after" essays for each pattern. This edition now contains 58 readings, a blend of classics and fresh new selections, chosen for their engaging and inspiring qualities. Two detailed introductory chapters discuss the reading and writing processes and illustrate the integration of these processes. Annotated essays, "before and after" versions, and commentaries illustrate the writing and revising process and highlight the kind of thinking necessary for revision. Detailed introductions to the rhetorical patterns, and uniquely thorough coverage of argumentation-persuasion includes sections on logic, refutation strategies, audience analysis, Toulmin logic, Rogerian argument, detecting bias, maintaining objectivity, and establishing common ground. Also new in this edition is coverage of computers in composition, and a documentation guide for online research. For those interested in sharpening their reading, writing and critical thinking skills.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0023858710
• ISBN13: 9780023858710
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: MacMillan Publishing Company
• Length: 669 Pages

Customer Reviews

A Good Freshman Composition Reader

While I am just starting to use this edition (6th) of the text, I have been happy with The Macmillan Reader since I began using the 5th edition in 1999. The chapters on academic reading and the writing process are thorough (but a bit dry), and the portions of the text that deal with each method of development are well-developed and thought out so as to help students get the best idea of what a "good" essay of each variety should and shouldn't include. The essays that are included are a wonderful assortment of old, tried-and-true and newer pieces from authors of varying backgrounds, ethnicities, and creeds. Students usually enjoy the readings I give them (I'd say 80% approval per piece), and with the average length being 5 pages, reading an essay for class and completing a journal entry is not too heavy of a burden any night of the week. The readings vary from "perfect" examples of what the text describes to even a few "what not to do when you write your own" essays that my students never fail to identify as such.I feel that this is, by far, the best reader I have used while teaching Freshman English (this is my fourth text), and I plan on sticking with it for years to come. The price is moderate, the readings enjoyable, and the "educational" chapters stated in a way that both the slowest and most advanced student in the class can come to the same understanding of what "good writing" is.

Worth It!

This may be a textbook, but it is definately worth buying. The instructions on writing were clear and helpful, and the essays were wonderful. I can honestly say that I liked almost every essay in the book!