Synopsis
Learning the fundamental principles of essay writing is becoming an ever more important skill for students. In 2005 the SAT gave its stamp to this initiative by adding an essay requirement to the popular college entrance exam. Each book in Greenhaven Press's Writing the Critical Essay: An Opposing Viewpoints Guide includes everything necessary to help students research, outline, draft, edit, and ultimately write successful essays across the curriculum.
Using the patented Opposing Viewpoints format, this book focuses on writing a persuasive essay. Persuasion is a frequently used essay technique for writing informational, opinionated, and how-to essays. Readers will find useful information to write a successful persuasive essay, including thesis statements, introductions, and conclusions. In addition, readers will find information to compile a "source cited" list using MLA style.
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up-This title provides 15 well-balanced articles written by different authors. Like books in the "Opposing Viewpoints" series (Gale), it has a pro/con format. The text is broken up with color photographs, fact boxes, political cartoons, and questions to engage readers. Each piece ends with a section called "Evaluating the Author's Arguments." The essays are grouped under the questions: "Should Homosexuals Be Allowed to Marry?" "How Should Marriage Be Legislated?" and "Does Gay Marriage Threaten Society?" A short glossary, facts about gay marriage, a list of organizations (with several missing Web sites) and an annotated list for further reading are appended.-Betty S. Evans, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.