Used and Good. 968 pages.

In order to write good essays, read good essays first.

By scouring hundreds of essays in search of the best writing available, the editors of The Writer’s Presence have once again collected teachable readings by great writers, showcasing distinctive voices and clear points of view. The result is a blend of classic pieces by favorites like James Baldwin, Annie Dillard, and Amy Tan, and fresh pieces by rising stars like Dinaw Mengestu, Jonathan Safran Foer, and Azar Nafisi.  Together the selections represent different communities, time periods, levels of difficulty, and fields of study, with topics that intersect in intriguing and nuanced ways, giving students the opportunity to think critically and develop their own voices. Over thirty of the selections are accompanied by writers’ commentaries on their work, allowing students to see the origins of each writer’s distinctive presence. With so many exceptional readings and so many ways to teach them, the possibilities are endless. Read the preface.