R&L Education
Pages: 126
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9½
978-1-61048-587-6 • Hardback • May 2012 • $83.00 • (£64.00)
978-1-61048-588-3 • Paperback • May 2012 • $34.00 • (£25.00)
978-1-61048-589-0 • eBook • May 2012 • $32.00 • (£25.00)
T.J. Koll is an author and college writing instructor originally from California’s San Joaquin Valley. When not grading papers or penning books, he can usually be found spending time with his lovely wife or chasing after his spirited two-year-old son.
Preface
About the Author
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Introduction: The Teacher’s Perspective
Chapter 1: About Those Commas and Periods
Chapter 2: Development: Writing Beyond the Facts
Chapter 3: Internet Research
Chapter 4: Computers and Composition
Chapter 5: The Writing Process
Chapter 6: Thesaurus Nightmares
Chapter 7: Introduction and Conclusions
Chapter 8: That Elusive “Flow”
Chapter 9: Argumentative Writing
Conclusion: Why Writing Matters
The tone of T.J. Koll’s Better Writing is warm and engaging, the voice of the kind and nurturing writing instructor that we all wish we had had and that we all aspire to be. Relentlessly pragmatic, Koll focuses on the nuts and bolts of the writing process, all the while making clear that improvement lies within the reach of all who care enough to work hard at it. The book comes across as the work of a practitioner, someone who writes as well as teaches, [and] someone who invites us to join him in practicing the craft of writing.
— Kevin Coots, Professor of English
Better Writing helps unpack academic discourse for students. Koll gives voice to the challenges students face in the university and helps students avoid common errors (such as thesaurus-abuse and poor source usage) by providing them with a clear path to success in a style that is accessible. A must-read for those entering academia.
— Andrea Osteen-Chinn, Instructor of English
T.J. Koll presents a refreshing and new perspective on composition by including both the student and instructor perspectives on things like writing, research and grammar. This accessible little book guides students through steps that will help them grow into more sophisticated and confident academic writers.
— Sheri McClure-Baker, Instructor of English
Travis Koll’s Better Writing presents a light-hearted, straight-talking, and culturally relevant approach to the standard fare. It is English instruction as students wish it could be—candid, entertaining, and demystified. Koll’s book is an absolute must for the college classroom.
— Laura Tussey, Assistant Professor of English
Better Writing is an engaging book, written in a conversational and respectful way. There is no condescension. It is a matter-of-fact manual that helps students understand the complexity of college writing.
— Nigel Medhurst, English Lecturer