Copyright © 2004
Pearson Education Canada Inc.

Preface to the Student

landmark...n l : an object that marks a course or boundary or serves as a guide 2 : an event that marks a turning point 3 : a structure of unusual historical and, usually, aesthetic interest
—Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Introduction

The second edition of Landmarks builds on the goals of the first edition by incorporating feedback from students and instructors who have used the textbook. This new edition provides ten new essays whose authors range from past Canadian politicians to current journalists and academics. It also expands significantly on how to analyze texts by providing students with a step-by-step process for writing a rhetorical analysis. The chapter on writing research papers presents added details about evaluating and documenting electronic sources, as well as examples of documentation styles from a range of academic fields.

We hope that Landmarks will serve as a useful guide for all those engaged in exploring the process of writing.

Organization

• Chapter 1, "Invention," offers students specific strategies for exploring ideas, questions, experiences, and information that they are interested in writing about.
• Chapter 2, "Development," explains the link between the process of cognition and ways of developing ideas in order to help writers communicate effectively.
• Chapter 3, "Arrangement," gives students models for arranging material in the introduction, body, and conclusion of their essays.
• Chapter 4, "Style," encourages students to push the boundaries of form in order to express themselves in new and memorable ways.
• Chapter 5, "Delivery," suggests ways for students to project a public voice.
• Chapter 6, "Identifying and Writing about Rhetorical Strategies," asks students to use their critical reading skills to produce an analytical essay.
• Chapter 7, "Writing Research Papers," provides students with a detailed guide to writing research papers. Both Chapters 6 and 7 present annotated sample essays.

Each essay is prefaced by a biographical note about the author and followed by Explorations, which provides questions that help students to explore their initial, personal reactions to the ideas in each essay.

The organization of the text will help students understand the decisions they must make in inventing, developing, and arranging ideas, considering style, and projecting their voices into the public forum. The final two chapters suggest ways in which students can apply these steps to two specific types of writing: rhetorical analyses and research papers.

Features

• Two alternative tables of contents: one classifies essays according to methods of development and rhetorical modes, and one classifies essays according to issues and topics.
• Essays—which range from formal academic research papers and journalistic articles to personal narratives—that span cultures, historical periods, and disciplines, and foreground the importance of communicating clearly in all rhetorical situations.
• Extensive examples and full-length sample essays in the last two chapters.
• Glosses of uncommon historical and cultural references that are indicated by a superscript circle.
• Questions at the end of each reading that encourage students to use their own experiences to explore the issues the writer raises.

Supplements

Landmarks is supplemented by a website (www.pearsoned.ca/text/birks) that offers annotated links to related topics and online writing resources, and provides course outlines developed by instructors who are currently using this textbook.

Acknowledgments

We are indebted to many people who helped at various stages of this project. Students, instructors, and reviewers offered valuable feedback on the first edition of Landmarks, which helped us make key editorial decisions for this edition. Our thanks to Carole Birks who provided research assistance and Kevin Stewart who offered insightful feedback on the manuscript. At Pearson Education Canada Marianne Minaker, Acquisitions Editor, Marta Tomins, Executive Developmental Editor, Paula Druzga, Developmental Editor, Avivah Wargon, Supervising Editor, and Susan Adlam, freelance copy editor, have all been efficient and enthusiastic guides. Special thanks to our families and friends whose support and encouragement have been indispensable.

The definition of landmark on the back cover and on this page appears by permission. From The Merriam-Webster Dictionary © 1997 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated (www.Merriam-Webster.com).