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Selecting Textbooks for Writing Courses

Choosing a textbook for a course in which students write extensively can be problematic. After all, writing is a skill and, like most skills, it’s best learned through repeated practice. It’s tough, if not impossible, to learn to write simply by reading a textbook. Instructors need to be sure that the book reading they assign is merely a supplement to the real work of a writing course: planning, composing, and revising student’s own texts.

There are times, though, when instructors will feel grateful for the reinforcement offered by a clear and straightforward textbook on writing. Such books can be useful in providing students a variety of models to emulate, in explaining grammar or documentation rules, or in illustrating different document formats.

The other problem with choosing a textbook is the number of choices. Writing textbooks fall into several main categories. Below is a list of some well-known examples of each; the list merely scratches the surface. Asking colleagues about their experiences in using different books is an excellent way to wade through the sometimes overwhelming number of possibilities. We’d like to hear about your experiences in using textbooks for W courses. Email your opinions to Dr. Valerie Balester, Executive Director of the Writing Center at v-balester@tamu.edu.

Handbooks

Writing handbooks are typically large (often 700 pages or more) and cover all aspects of the writing process, including narrowing a topic, analyzing an audience, organizing research materials, revising for clarity, proofreading for errors, and documenting sources. Most include a brief grammar review and discuss common surface errors. Most are written for use in introductory composition courses. Many publishers offer an instructor’s version and some produce an abbreviated version in addition to the full-blown offering. 

The St. Martin’s Handbook, Sixth Edition by Andrea Lunsford (6th edition)
Of all the comprehensive handbooks, this one is a favorite in the University Writing Center. It’s thorough, accessible, and based on research about the needs of beginning writers. Although author Lunsford is known for her research on common student surface errors, the book moves far beyond that to discuss more complex topics like using language to build common ground. There’s also information on intercultural communication and insights into academic writing in the U.S.

Custom Publishing

You can create your own writing text by contacting publishers to arrange custom publishing. Custom publishing includes the option to use (with permission) sections (or abridged sections) from books or periodicals as well as to write your own material.

Custom publishing presents many possibilities for enhancing course content in a writing-intensive class; for example, you can add a grammar section, a section on MLA or APA or some other documentation style, various readings about writing or sample essays. You can also arrange to include lecture notes or other class material. Custom-published books can be done in electronic form as well.

Be aware that custom-published books may not be a better option than commercially available textbooks. Work with a company that will give you plenty of guidance, and make sure you see samples of their work. Pay attention to the price for students, and compare what you wish to do with texts that are currently available for writing-across-the curriculum or writing-in-the-disciplines. Besides the usual textbooks, custom publishers will allow you to order custom books created by other authors.

The University Writing Center provides these links to aid your curriculum design. We do not endorse any of these publishers, but we do make an attempt to select reputable vendors. If you would like us to add you to our list of vendors, contact Valerie Balester, Executive Director.

Contacts for Custom Publishing

Updated August 28, 2009.
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