English 1121 / Fall 2007 and Spring 2008
The Mercury Reader
Informative Writing Selections
|
Author, Title, # of pages |
Publication Source, Date |
Information |
|
Rachel Carson, The Obligation to Endure, 7 pages |
Silent Spring, 1962 | Naturalist Rachel Carson brings to bear her abilities as a scientist on the need to consider the effects of expanding uses of chemicals on the environment. |
|
Barbara Ehrenreich, "Serving in Florida," from Nickel and Dimed, 21 pages |
Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, 2001 | In this excerpt, a well-known writer embarks on an experiment starting a low-wage life. In doing so, she learns much about the people she encounters and about herself. |
|
Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point, 10 pages |
The Tipping Point, 2002 | In this excerpt from his best-selling book, Malcolm Gladwell theorizes that the scientific idea that describes the point at which mass begins to move applies equally to fashion, culture, and politics; he concludes that the implications for analyzing society are many. |
|
Jessica Mitford, Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain, 9 pages |
The American Way of Death, 1963 | Known for her exposés, Jessica Mitford gives us a disturbing inside view of the mortuary business. |
|
Mike Rose, I Just Wanna Be Average, 15 pages |
Lives on the Boundary: The Struggles and Achievements of America's Underprepared, 1989 | Recalling his own high school experience, prominent educator Mike Rose argues that tracking students into vocational programs prevents them from reaching their potential. |
|
Eric Schlosser, Food Product Design, 15 pages |
Fast Food Nation, 2001 | In this excerpt, the author explains the "chemical wizardry" of the companies that keeps people coming back for more. |
|
Deborah Tannen, Men and Women Talking on the Job, 15 pages |
Talking from 9 to 5, 1994 | Because men are socialized to be assertive and women to be conciliatory, explains linguist Deborah Tannen, miscommunication between the sexes in the workplace is frequent. |
Background:
According to The St. Martin's Guide to Writing (5th ed., 1997, pp. 162-181), an expository essay in which the writer explains a concept has the following characteristics:
It seeks to inform readers about a specific subject, and it presents information confidently and efficiently.
It uses expository writing strategies effectively, such as narrating, describing, analyzing a process, giving examples, classifying, analyzing, comparing, contrasting, analyzing causes and/or effects, and providing definitions.
It relies almost exclusively on established information; it is based on authoritative, expert sources, on established material gleaned from reputable publications or interviews -- and it effectively integrates material from these sources (through summarizes, paraphrases, and quotes).
It is clearly organized and follows a logical plan, and it uses prominent "cues," such as forecast statements, framing devices, and transition sentences, to keep readers on track.
It engages readers, and it makes clear why the information is important.
It does not feature its writer's experiences or feelings, and it tends not to argue for its points.
Updated: 23 July 2009