Expectations is a collection of popular readings for developmental writing students, with questions, discussion topics, and assignments to develop writing, reading, and critical thinking skills.

The forty readings from magazines, newspapers, textbooks, and other contemporary books illustrate a broad range of writing styles and techniques, and are organized by the following themes: Social and Cultural Issues, Media and Popular Culture, Fitness and Health, Education and Career, The Outdoors, and Technology and the Future. Within each theme, readings are organized in order of difficulty, with easier readings first.