Publisher's Synopsis
Departures offers developmental writers a fresh, unique anthology to complement their writing courses. Drawn exclusively from popular media, such as magazines and newspapers, the readings are chosen for their ability to interest students, as well as their accessibility. The kinds of popular writing included represent genres with which students are already familiar and which they therefore find less intimidating; virtually no other reader makes use of this documented advantage to support basic writers. The authors work from a firm conviction that reading, and writing in response to those readings, are essential processes for developing writers. Rather than focusing on general self-exploration, the reader examines questions of immediate importance in modern American life, choosing topics that also have academic significance. Departures thus eases students into the world of academic reading and writing by blending the familiar writing with serious academic topics.
