Critical Inquiries intends to spark discussion and response with seven focused explorations of cultural themes that provide contexts and occasions for college writers to develop a stance and voice.

Edited by noted composition scholar Jacqueline Jones Royster, Critical Inquiries, unlike many readers, does not attempt to present a “balanced perspective.” Instead, each of the seven major topics—identity, home, nation, immigration, education, health, and technology—is framed by a sequence of readings that disrupt and unsettle conventional thinking. Students are challenged to move beyond simplistic pro-con argumentation to explore connections between personal and public life in their own essays and responses.

Readings in Critical Inquiries include historical as well as contemporary voices, going beyond traditional essays to include poems, letters, position and policy statements, and literary nonfiction. This multi-genre approach brings issues of language awareness and rhetorical strategy to the forefront, offering students a rich engagement with the deliberate choices made by responsible writers.