THE ESSENTIALS OF WRITING: TEN CORE CONCEPTS is designed for instructors who want a short, flexible writing guide using the core concepts as a framework. These ten fundamental lessons that students need to learn to become sophisticated writers are covered thoroughly in chapters 2-4. The essentials version also offers practical advice about developing an academic writing style, synthesizing ideas, designing documents, conducting research, evaluating and documenting sources, and applying the conventions of written English. Each student text is packaged with a free Cengage Essential Reference Card to the MLA HANDBOOK, Eighth Edition.