Product Description
Community Writing: Researching Social Issues Through Composition employs a series of assignments that guide students to research and write about issues confronting their individual communities. Students start by identifying a community to which they belong and focusing on problems in it, and then analyze possible solutions, construct arguments for them, decide which are likely to succeed, and consider how to initiate action.

This is a primary text for first-year composition courses, covering the basics of the writing process. The assignments are recursive. Short writing assignments in each chapter build up to longer papers. Each of the assignment questions is accompanied by a guide to thinking about and writing the assigned paper, followed by a short Focus On reading that provides a brief account of community activism, a media case study, or a notable success story. The longer papers are accompanied by in-class peer reading groups. Each successive peer reading attempts a higher level of conceptual critique. By working together throughout the semester, students create increasingly adept peer groups familiar with all stages of each other's research. The book is carefully structured, but there is plenty of "give" in it, allowing instructors to be flexible in adapting it to the needs of their students and courses.

Community Writing:
* is distinguished by pedagogy based on a collaborative, process-oriented, service learning approach that emphasizes media critique and field research on community issues chosen by individual students;
* answers real student questions, such as: Where do I find articles on my topic? What if evidence contradicts my hypothesis? How do I know if a source is biased?;
* is web-savvy--guides students into building their own Web sites, including a unique guide for critiquing the design and veracity of other people's websites; and
* is media-savvy--topics include media monopolies, spin control, dumbing down, misleading statistics, the Freedom of Information Act, "crackpot" authors, political rhetoric, and fallacious argumentation.
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Customer Reviews (2)

A great starting point
I wished for more from Collins' book, Community Writing. I wished he didn't ask students to write "term papers." I wished he may have thought about what Tom Deans suggested, the three modes of community writing: writing with, writing to, and writing for the community. Instead, it is writing about the community here in Collins' book. A colleague recommend we use this book in a "coursepack" but not the whole thing. We needed more, Collins--something that didn't conform to the standard/autonomous model of literacy many teachers doing service learning and community literacy are desperately fleeing. But--it it the only book of its kind, and for that, I am grateful. I suggest picking it up and assigning parts of it, if you are a teacher.

A worthwhile textbook
I found teaching from this a good corrective to bland and irrelevant fyc textbooks. It's built around a series of snowballing exercises that guide students from thinking about an issue that individually concerns them to becoming knowledgeable on that issue.In the process they pick up the basics of research, writing, and revision.It's progressive a la Dewey and Freire, with a heavy dose of logical reasoning, critical readings of sources, and media critique thrown in.

One caveat: its layout could use some work.It's hard on the eyes at times.But if you're a progressive fyc instructor, you'll like this.If you're looking for a more standard textbook, it might be too provocative and/or political. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A World of comfort for the soul.
I had been sober and in recovery for two years ,when i hit a very rough spot in my life . A friend and fellow recoverer gave me this small but huge book of knowledge.It brought me such great comfort and peace that i would dearly love to share it with so many others .

A Life Saver
This little booklet finally found me in 1990.A friend shoved it into my hand and said, "Read this.Then we'll talk." The short version of the story is that I have been sober ever since, and the little book has helped me through every crisis since then. I can't tell you how many copiesof this book I have personally "worn out," bought and given toothers, or just recommended to others in all walks of life, with all sortsof problems. This little book really has answers.

Really helps put life in a clear light.
I have this book on tape.The voice takes a little getting use to but after that it is a great little tape.The author is simple and easy to understand.It tells how to deal with life good and bad and how to becloser with God.The tape helps us to remember that life only has to belived one day at a time and tells us how to get the most of each day.

Everyone Should Have A Copy of This Booklet!!!
This is an excellent 24 page booklet onAcceptance.It is written in simple terms that everyone can relate to and find meaningful and very uplifting.I keep one in my purse and read it often when I'm having a rough day or need a common-sense explanation of life.This should be read by everyone who has ever had a hard time understanding and acceptingtough life situations. ... Read more

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I consider it my essential and personal mission not so much to produce many new documents but to see to it that [John Paul IIs] documents are assimilated, because they are a very rich treasure, the authentic interpretation of Vatican II" Pope Benedict XVI. Contributors include: Edward Stourton; Brendan Leahy; John McDade S. J. ; Philip Endean S. J. ; David Jones; Archbishop Kevin McDonald; Bishop Christopher Hill; Jared Wicks S. J. ; Christian Troll S. J. ; Simonetta Calderini; Margaret Shepherd N. D. S. ; Christian W. Troll SJ; The Legacy of John Paul II responds to that challenge in helping readers and students to come to grips with the important themes in John Paul IIs theology. This is important as his influence is already as great as that of almost any other Pope and his teachings and writings need to be studied carefully by Christians of all denominations. John Paul IIs writings were as prolific as his canonisations were vigorous. They range from topics as important as ethics, politics, theology and comparative religion. He published a number of philosophical books before becoming Pope. All of this is covered in this indispensable book. ... Read more

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Collins Spanish with Paul Noble combines an exciting, new non-traditional approach to language learning with the easy, relaxed appeal of an audio-only product.No books. No rote memorisation. No chance of failure.Paul Noble is a genius with a higher IQ than Einstein. Despite this, he still struggled with language learning at school. He found himself feeling 'confused, incapable and unable to really say anything'. As a result of his negative early experiences, Paul has come up with a groundbreaking new method of language teaching that removes the need for months of studying. With Paul Noble, everyone really can speak a language.Listen to over 13 hours of audio on 12 CDs, then use the accompanying booklet as a reference and revision tool. Two native-speaking Spanish experts help Paul to deliver the course and to perfect your pronunciation in both Latin American and Iberian Spanish. There is also a free introductory DVD to give you an insight into how the Paul Noble method works.No complicated grammatical explanations, no rote memorisation, no writing -- no stress.Learn over 6,000 words in no time at all and -- most importantly -- learn how to make your new vocabulary work for you. ... Read more

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On his way home for Christmas, Thomas needs a light for his lantern. He stops in an old candlemaker's shop and is dismissive of all of the old man's intricate and beautiful candles, buying an inexpensive one. However, as he continues his journey, this simple candle takes on some unbelievable power. By the light of the candle, he mistakes a beggar woman for his mother and gives her his cloak and he thinks a man lying in the streets with no place to go is his brother and gives everything he has to put him in an inn for the night. Though he loses all his material items, he finally arrives home with a new found sense of what family can be.Amazon.com Review
Would you be more responsive to a brother's request for money than to abeggar's request for money? This is the question that Richard Paul Evans,author of The ChristmasBox, asks his readers to consider in The Christmas Candle, amorality tale whose haunting moodiness evokes the Dickensian ghost ofChristmas past. In this story, a rather unpleasant-seeming young man namedThomas is making his way home on a dark, bitterly cold Christmas Eve. Insearch of a candle for his tin lantern, he pushes aside a beggar to enterthe shop of a village candlemaker, who has rows and rows of candles sculpted into angels, sprites, princesses. Thomas, impatient, just wants a plainold candle. The Yoda-like candlemaker sells him one, warning cryptically,"It is only four coppers, but you may find it costly." Indeed. This strangecandle somehow makes Thomas see his mother's face in the face of the nextbeggar he encounters, and a figure lying in the gutter reveals itself tohim as his brother. He gives them everything he has. Finally, penniless andcold, he reaches the music and laughter of his childhood home. When hisfamily asks him why he has arrived empty-handed, he suddenly understandswhy the old man told him the candle would be costly, and his heart fillswith joy: "For that Christmas Eve, a lesson was learned and taken to heart:If we will see things as they truly are, we will find that all, from greatto small, belong to one family." The Christmas Candle--heavily ladenwith American Realist Jacob Collins's gloomy still-life paintings andbleak, eerily lit oil portraits of dour-faced beggars--is not exactly ajoyous expression of holiday cheer. It is, however, a time-tested tale ofcharity that will resonate with young and old alike. (Ages 6 and older) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

An excellent tale of giving being a precondition for receiving
This is a delightful tale of Christmas, where the act of giving means that you are receiving. On Christmas Eve, Thomas is a man in a hurry. When he pushes aside a beggar to enter a candle shop, he is also curt with the proprietor, calling him foolish and an old man. When the man sells him a candle for four coppers and says, "... you may find it costly", Thomas shouts at the man.
The trip home is one where he encounters poor people and "sees" them as his beloved relatives. He gives them all he has; yet when he gets home, his relatives are fine. This causes a major awakening so he leaves the comfort of his destination and goes back out to take care of another.
The lesson here is strong and clear, kindness begets kindness and sometimes the greatest level of receipt is when we give. It is an excellent book for young children during the Christmas season.

Not worth the money
Did not think the book was worth the money I paid for it.It has 12 pages.If I had known that, I would'nt have purchased it.

Christmas Candle (book)
I have many small books by Evans and enjoyed all.The Christmas Candle is no exception.It is a warm enjoyable story which can be appreciated by all ages.My reading group reads one each year during the holidays.

The Christmas Candle
WOW !! I loved this story. I loved every part of it. The hope, the spirit and the gift of people. I will add it to may collection of books to read every year to my children and grandchildren. Makes a wonderful gift too!!

Perfect - Just as expected!
Book was just as expected - delivered in timely manner - very pleased with purchase - thanks! ... Read more

Product Description
A third addition to the series that began with Illuminations and Inneractions focuses on the power, difficulties, and benefits of love and is accompanied by oil paintings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The truth about love
This book really speaks to me and makes sense. I find it both inspiring and uplifting and when I needed a reminder about what loving someone is really about, it is the book I turn to. Great affirmations and true wisdom. It is a book I would highly recommend. I love It! ... Read more

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Genealogy made easy, exciting, sociable, inspiring and accessible to everyone. This fantastically useful new guide refreshingly side-steps the uninspiring tasks of traditional genealogical research. Beginning with mapping the immediate family in clear, easy steps, it opens up the subject to every reader. Packed with useful information and a common-sense approach, it advises on everything from websites to war records, how to organise research and the joy of knitting it all together. ... Read more

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This user-friendly volume is the perfect guide for anyone wanting to achieve a stronger, leaner, and more flexible body. It provides expert advice on one of the most widely used pieces of gym/fitness equipment in the world - the fitness ball. "Fitness Ball Drills" presents step-by-step illustrated instructions to improve posture, balance, co-ordination, strength and flexibility. Featuring more than 50 illustrated exercises that can be easily carried out at home or in the gym. It also includes a series of routines with a special emphasis on the abdominal and lower back regions. ... Read more

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This lively and appealing book makes genealogy easy, exciting, sociable, inspiring and accessible to everyone. This fantastically useful guide refreshingly side-steps the uninspiring tasks of traditional genealogical research. Beginning with mapping the immediate family in clear, easy steps, it opens up the subject to every reader. Packed with useful information and a common-sense approach, it advises on everything from websites to war records, how to organise research and the joy of knitting it all together. ... Read more

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For more than 40 years, "Today's Chuckle"--a lively and refreshing antidote to the daily grind of mayhem and murder, disasters and devastation--has appeared on the front pages of newspapers across the country. Now, for the first time, 2,500 of the best of this popular syndicated feature, have been collected for speakers, toastmasters, and lovers of classic one-liners. ... Read more

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Introduces the craft of making candles at home using jars, bottles, cartons, and cans. ... Read more