Brief, best-selling cross-curricular classic provides instruction of source-based writing skills combined with five popular readings chapters. This brief version represents a carefully chosen selection from the comprehensive version of the text, with five of nine readings chapters included in thoughtfully abridged formats. The abbreviated rhetoric section covers the skills of summary, critique, analysis, and synthesis, taking students step-by-step through the process of writing papers based on source material. Students then put these skills to practice on thematically-linked essays on provocative topics in the readings chapters. A stronger focus on argumentation prepares students for college-level assignments across the disciplines.