Community Matters is a unique rhetoric/reader which features writing instruction that emphasizes process, audience, and purpose, while presenting a wide range of readings that focus on vital community issues.

Community Matters encourages students to think critically about the social, political, and philosophical meanings and importance of community while helping them to build a writer's community within their classroom. Community Matters provides an opportunity for students to work with community leaders, educators, and social critics, encouraging them to respond through writing to local, national, and global community issues. Student writing is connected with the community through thematic inquiry, reflection, and structured writing activities. Writing instruction is exemplified with numerous student and professional models.