Reading Writing: An Argument Rhetoric and Reader

by George Y. Trail

Book Overview

Rhetorical Terms and Concepts: A Contemporary Glossary is a concise readable, vocabulary of terms and concepts useful in describing and analyzing writing. Intended to be used as either a reference... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0155072366
• ISBN13: 9780155072367
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Your child should have this with Suess, Strunk & White

Dr. Trail's work is engaging, funny and full of wit and wisdom. If your high school student can't comprehend or relate to it as other reviewers have suggested; then they are at best underprepared for serious university studies (as so many are). This book should be given to every child learning to read, along with Strunk and White and their Dr Seuss. Of course both works would be over their heads at first; but they should be told that an understanding of the concepts in those books is a goal--and that the extent to which they don't understand the nuances, that is the extent to which they will have difficulty in comprehending works, expressing themselves in written form and, more importantly, searching for clarity in language. I read Trail's book regularly to refresh and sharpen my own ability to analyze works I'm reading and to work on my own struggle to improve my own writing.

Excellent Glossary

I recommend this small book to anyone seeking a guide to an understanding of the uses of the English language (particularly written) intended to persuade. An adult student returning to college (University of Tennessee,), I work to succeed. George Trail's "Rhetorical Terms and Concepts-A Contemporary Glossary" is, in this work, invaluable. From "ABSOLUTE" to "ZEUGMA," Trail's ready-to-go reference is a must. The definitions, clear, witty, and insightful, provide information needed for the rigors of academia. Searching for a concept is easy in the book's user friendly format, and in that it is compact, it comes to class with me at all times. I additionally appreciate both the accessibility and the inclusiveness of the language used .

Reading Words

George Trail's RHETORICAL TERMS AND CONCEPTS can inform and entertain anyone who reads billboards, labels on food packages, notices from IRS, or contracts involving large sturctures and millions of dollars. "Contemporary" in the book's subtitle is a key word, for Trail's emphasis is on terms that apply to written language as it now is used in attempts to persuade. His entries include "SOUND BITE," "SPIN," "TAKE," and many others prevalent in current usage. Throughout, the author uses illustrative examples that also are drawn from contemporary works. Garrison Keillor's above-average children in Lake Woebegone are used to make a point about the use of the term "AVERAGE." The politicos' warring over Clinton's ability to govern after Monicagate is used in the discussion of "DIVISION OF THE QUESTION." Many of the examples amuse me, but what most entertains me is the "Ah hah!" that comes after reading an entry (see EPIPHANY in the glossary). I can attest that lights come on for students who use this material, for I worked as a teaching assistant to Trail when the glossary was still in the photocopy stage that he mentions in his "Preface." However, I believe that the book's appeal extends beyond the student population to almost anyone who reads anything.

Informative and cleverly humorous guide for writers

Full of wit and very articulate, George Trail has created a comprehensive and progressive glossary for the writer. You won't find tired dictionary definitions here. Each entry is treated insightfully, explained clearly and consisely, and presented by a very inviting personality. This text was assigned to me as collage course material, yet I've had non-student friends over who started flipping through it and ended up reading on, not for knowledge of the terms, but for the clever and thoughful ideas that explore the terms. I recommend this collection of terms and concepts for anyone interested in writing or analysing arguments, essays, criticisms, reports, or articles.