The Writer's Harbrace Handbook, Third Edition, is grounded in the belief that an understanding of the rhetorical situation-the writer, reader, message, context, and exigence (the reason for writing)-provides the best starting place for effective writing and reading. This edition guides student writers in employing that rhetorical understanding as they choose the most effective information to include, the best arrangement of that information, and the most appropriate language to use. This writing-first handbook moves students through the steps that constitute successful writing, from finding appropriate topics and writing clear thesis statements to arranging ideas and developing initial drafts.