James D. Williams – författare

Preparing to Teach Writing, Fourth Edition is a comprehensive survey of theories, research, and methods associated with teaching composition successfully at the middle, secondary, and college levels. Research and theory are examined with the aim of informing teaching. Practicing and prospective writing teachers need the information and strategies this text provides to be effective and well prepared for the many challenges they will face in the classroom. FeaturesCurrent—combines discussions and references to foundational studies that helped define the field of rhetoric and composition, with updated research, theories, and applications Research based—thorough examination of relevant research in education, literacy, cognition, linguistics, and grammar Steadfast adherence to best practices based on how students learn and on how to provide the most effective writing instructionA Companion Website provides sample assignments and student papers that can be analyzed using the research and theory presented in the text.

Jean-François Lyotard was one of the most influential European thinkers in recent decades. He was a leading participant in debates about post-modernism and the decline of Marxism, and he made important contributions to ethics, aesthetics and political philosophy. In this authoritative introduction, Williams tracks the development of Lyotard's thought from his early writings on the libidinal economy to his more recent work on the post-modern condition. Williams argues that despite the wide-ranging character of Lyotard's writings, they are animated by a long-standing concern to develop a new theory of political action. Lyotard's productive use of avant-garde art and the aesthetics of the sublime are interpreted within this context. In the final chapters some of the main criticisms that have been levelled at Lyotard's work are outlined and assessed.A challenging but also accessible book, it will be welcomed by students and researchers in continental philosophy, literary theory and the humanities generally.

Jean-François Lyotard was one of the most influential European thinkers in recent decades. He was a leading participant in debates about post-modernism and the decline of Marxism, and he made important contributions to ethics, aesthetics and political philosophy. In this authoritative introduction, Williams tracks the development of Lyotard's thought from his early writings on the libidinal economy to his more recent work on the post-modern condition. Williams argues that despite the wide-ranging character of Lyotard's writings, they are animated by a long-standing concern to develop a new theory of political action. Lyotard's productive use of avant-garde art and the aesthetics of the sublime are interpreted within this context. In the final chapters some of the main criticisms that have been levelled at Lyotard's work are outlined and assessed.A challenging but also accessible book, it will be welcomed by students and researchers in continental philosophy, literary theory and the humanities generally.

The Teacher's Grammar Book, Second Edition introduces the various grammars that inform writing instruction in our schools, and examines methods, strategies, and techniques that constitute best classroom practices for teaching grammar and writing. Designed for students who are preparing to become English or language arts teachers, as well as for credentialed teachers who want an easy-to-use guide to questions of methods, grammar, and teaching, this overview of basic English grammar includes the following major topics: a brief history of grammar, teaching grammar, grammar and writing, traditional grammar, transformational-generative grammar, cognitive grammar, dialects, black English, and Chicano English.New in the reorganized and fully updated Second Edition:*new chapter giving a brief history of grammar and grammar instruction;*new chapter on best practices--strategies and techniques that actually work;*expanded chapter on cognitive grammar--a topic not found in other texts of this nature;*expanded chapter on dialects;*summary and evaluation of the minimalist program (Noam Chomsky's most recent revision of transformational-generative grammar)--a topic unique among texts of this kind; and*reduced discussion of transformational grammar.

An important contribution to the scholarship on student writing and composition theory, this book presents a new approach to writing instruction based on linguistic research and theory. In this book, leading scholar James D. Williams explores the historical failures of composition studies and the need for effective writing instruction to be grounded in the immersive principles of language acquisition. Starting with an indictment of the historical failures of composition studies to teach students how to become competent writers, the book moves beyond the current flawed theories and practices to introduce a new way forward to improving students’ writing skills. Accessible and jargon-free, Williams skillfully explains how students must be immersed in target dialects and registers, with access to a range of authentic texts, to become effective writers of academic discourse. Chapters include authentic writing samples from the disciplines, including life and applied sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Essential for preservice and practicing teachers of writing, as well as scholars in composition and literacy studies, the book demonstrates how language acquisition is a necessary foundation and provides a road map to improving students’ writing proficiency.

An important contribution to the scholarship on student writing and composition theory, this book presents a new approach to writing instruction based on linguistic research and theory. In this book, leading scholar James D. Williams explores the historical failures of composition studies and the need for effective writing instruction to be grounded in the immersive principles of language acquisition. Starting with an indictment of the historical failures of composition studies to teach students how to become competent writers, the book moves beyond the current flawed theories and practices to introduce a new way forward to improving students’ writing skills. Accessible and jargon-free, Williams skillfully explains how students must be immersed in target dialects and registers, with access to a range of authentic texts, to become effective writers of academic discourse. Chapters include authentic writing samples from the disciplines, including life and applied sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Essential for preservice and practicing teachers of writing, as well as scholars in composition and literacy studies, the book demonstrates how language acquisition is a necessary foundation and provides a road map to improving students’ writing proficiency.

The Teacher's Grammar Book, Second Edition introduces the various grammars that inform writing instruction in our schools, and examines methods, strategies, and techniques that constitute best classroom practices for teaching grammar and writing. Designed for students who are preparing to become English or language arts teachers, as well as for credentialed teachers who want an easy-to-use guide to questions of methods, grammar, and teaching, this overview of basic English grammar includes the following major topics: a brief history of grammar, teaching grammar, grammar and writing, traditional grammar, transformational-generative grammar, cognitive grammar, dialects, black English, and Chicano English.New in the reorganized and fully updated Second Edition:*new chapter giving a brief history of grammar and grammar instruction;*new chapter on best practices--strategies and techniques that actually work;*expanded chapter on cognitive grammar--a topic not found in other texts of this nature;*expanded chapter on dialects;*summary and evaluation of the minimalist program (Noam Chomsky's most recent revision of transformational-generative grammar)--a topic unique among texts of this kind; and*reduced discussion of transformational grammar.

An anthology of primary texts in translation, An Introduction to Classical Rhetoric offers an overview of the social, cultural, and intellectual factors that influenced the development and growth of rhetoric during the classical period. Uses primary source material to analyze rhetoric from the Sophists through St. Augustine Provides an in-depth introduction to the period, as well as introductions to each author and each selection Includes study guides to help students develop multiple perspectives on the material, stimulate critical thinking, and provide starting points for dialogue Highlights include Gorgias's Palamedes, Antiphon's Truth, Isocrates' Helen, and Plato's Protagoras Each selection is followed by suggested writing topics and a short list of suggested additional readings.

An anthology of primary texts in translation, An Introduction to Classical Rhetoric offers an overview of the social, cultural, and intellectual factors that influenced the development and growth of rhetoric during the classical period. Uses primary source material to analyze rhetoric from the Sophists through St. Augustine Provides an in-depth introduction to the period, as well as introductions to each author and each selection Includes study guides to help students develop multiple perspectives on the material, stimulate critical thinking, and provide starting points for dialogue Highlights include Gorgias's Palamedes, Antiphon's Truth, Isocrates' Helen, and Plato's Protagoras Each selection is followed by suggested writing topics and a short list of suggested additional readings.

Introduces how science works, the way science is now taught in secondary schools, to all teachers whether trainee, recently qualified or established. This title provides the opportunity for pupils not only to understand the facts of science, but also to develop as critical thinkers and to become creative problem-solvers.

The Decline in Educational Standards: From a Public Good to a Quasi-Monopoly is about the “commodification” of education and the factors that have changed education from a public good into a “commodity” over the last 50 years. When we look at today’s education, we see that academic standards in public education have been declining for decades even as education funding has reached nearly a trillion dollars per year to fund such failed programs as No Child Left Behind and Common Core. Simultaneously, tuition and fees at public universities have increased nearly 2000 percent over the last 30 years, and student loan debt is now a staggering $1.5 trillion. Quite simply, education has become big business.This book examines the various issues associated with the commodification of education, especially neoliberalism and privatized Keynesianism—what they are, how they developed, and how they have affected education and public policy. It argues that neoliberalism and the related socioeconomic shift to “debt-based consumerism” are at the center of commodification, leading to a significant decline in the exchange value of a college degree. It also argues that we cannot understand the changes in our public and higher education systems without examining the historical, social, economic, and political factors that have essentially created an education system that is significantly different from what it was in the not so distant past.

The Decline in Educational Standards: From a Public Good to a Quasi-Monopoly is about the “commodification” of education and the factors that have changed education from a public good into a “commodity” over the last 50 years. When we look at today’s education, we see that academic standards in public education have been declining for decades even as education funding has reached nearly a trillion dollars per year to fund such failed programs as No Child Left Behind and Common Core. Simultaneously, tuition and fees at public universities have increased nearly 2000 percent over the last 30 years, and student loan debt is now a staggering $1.5 trillion. Quite simply, education has become big business.This book examines the various issues associated with the commodification of education, especially neoliberalism and privatized Keynesianism—what they are, how they developed, and how they have affected education and public policy. It argues that neoliberalism and the related socioeconomic shift to “debt-based consumerism” are at the center of commodification, leading to a significant decline in the exchange value of a college degree. It also argues that we cannot understand the changes in our public and higher education systems without examining the historical, social, economic, and political factors that have essentially created an education system that is significantly different from what it was in the not so distant past.

This book is a comprehensive identification guide to the 222 species of fishes in Florida’s fresh waters. Each species is presented with color photographs, key characteristics for identification, comparisons to similar species, habitat descriptions, and dot distribution maps.Florida's unique mix of species includes some of the world's favorite sport fishes, the Tarpon and Largemouth Bass. This guide also features three species native only to Florida-the Seminole Killifish, Flagfish, and Okaloosa Darter-and the smallest freshwater fish in North America, the Least Killifish. Ranging from the panhandle to the Everglades, their habitats include springs, creeks, rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, marshes, and man-made canals.As Florida's human population grows, the state's freshwater environments are being changed in ways that threaten its native fishes. This book provides important information on the diversity, distribution, and environmental needs of both native and nonindigenous species, helping us monitor and take care of Florida's water and its aquatic inhabitants.