Helps students discover for themselves how to do their best writing.

• Portrays writing as a way of thinking and processing information and encourages students to discover each of the "mosaics" of the writing process as they learn how the pieces of writing work together to form a complete and coherent whole.

Focuses on purposes for writing -- recalling, observing, explaining, investigating, restating, analyzing, persuading, and problem solving.

Integrates critical thinking, reading, and writing throughout the text.

• Demonstrates how thinking, reading, and writing are parts of a larger process.

Treats students as adults and uses a consistent format and pedagogy from chapter to chapter (and from book to book) to build up students' expectations.

Guides students systematically from expressive/personal writing to academic writing.

Includes high-interest, culturally-diverse reading selections.

Reflects cultural diversity (lifestyle, race, age, religion, economics) throughout -- in instruction, reading selections, and writing samples.

Contains both professional and student writing samples in each chapter.

Includes prereading journal assignments before each professional essay.

Features multiple drafts of the student writings with revisions highlighted.

Draws revising and editing exercises from the professional and student writings in each chapter.

• Includes collaborative assignments (for individuals, small groups, or the entire class) in revising and editing.

Concludes with reference guides.