This brief version of the best—selling cross—curricular classic retains its hallmark coverage of source—based writing skills combined with five popular readings chapters. This portable version represents a carefully—chosen selection from the original edition, with five (of the original seven) readings chapters included in their entirety. The abbreviated rhetoric section still covers the skills of summary, critique, and synthesis, taking students step—by—step through the process of writing papers based on source material. Students then put these skills to practice on thematically—linked essays on provocative topics in the discipline—specific readings chapters. A stronger focus on argumentation addresses the trend found in today's composition classrooms.