Everyday Writer by Andrea Lunsford, Essay Example

Students at the high school and college level write on a quotidian basis whether it be in academic or non-academic settings: for work, for school, for social networking, and just for fun. Andrea Lunsford’s Everyday Writer has earned the author a prominent spot in the field of English composition, as her comprehensive yet simplistic guide to writing conveys a deep comprehension of the world of student writing for both native English and ESL students alike. Lunsford pays meticulous attention to language and style, critical thinking, rhetoric and rhetorical devices, and sound argumentation, invoking her decades of experience as a pedagogue and a researcher. This cogently written work functions as a handbook for students to use in order to get through any and all writing situations they may encounter in their lives. Moreover, Lunsford includes recent research conducted on student writing in each chapter accompanied by visual graphics limning the writing process, research, documenting sources use in research papers, for students who are visual learners, and how to write in various disciplines. Through meticulous instruction and helping students work through the writing process step by step, Everyday Writer helps prepare students of all writing levels to effectively confront writing challenges they face on a quotidian basis whether in research projects or just simply posting on a comrade’s Facebook wall. This book is a fantastic asset to all college English student as it provides the fundamental and essential elements for writing academic term papers, especially for students who speak English as their second language. It is helpful not only for English, writing composition, and literature classes but also for history, sociology, psychology, and political science classes that require academic writing and sound research skills.

Lunsford not only walks students through the writing process step-by-step, she also extensively covers various citation styles so that students gain a firm understanding of the nuances of each style. MLA, APA, Chicago, and CSE styles are all covered in-depth. It is an ideal tool for all individuals who write for school or work, especially for ESL students who will find the detailed menus and easy access tabs provided to facilitate the use of this resource. Lunford clearly articulates the nuances and rules of the English language and grammar along with the standards of research documentation in a clear manner that is unparalleled.