Stitching Together an Essay: A Guide to College Writing

"In Stitching Together an Essay: A Guide to College Writing students examine an essay about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein in order to learn how various pieces of writing are combined to create a cohesive body. The emphasis is on writing practice, with instruction on grammar, audience, thesis, and argument embedded.

The book first introduces students to various types of writing including summary and analysis. Students then explore the structure of an essay, the role of pre-writing, developing a thesis, logic and flow, tone and style, and the construction of a conclusion. They learn the skills necessary to successfully produce each piece of the essay and then how to assemble the pieces to produce a complete work of college-level writing. Special attention is given to the research essay.

While standard compositions textbooks can seem overly dry and academic, Stitching Together an Essay brings together all aspects of successful writing in a fresh, accessible way and provides straightforward, simple explanations of grammar and writing mechanics. It is an ideal choice for introductory composition courses.

Brendon Zatirka earned his master's degree from the University of Chicago where he specialized in medieval literature. He teaches composition and literature at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, where his curriculum focuses on literary analysis, critical thinking, establishing voice and argument, and rigorous academic research. Professor Zatirka's special interests include Arthurian literature, the medieval Other, monsters, and popular culture."