A Community of Readers: A Thematic Approach to Reading, 8th Edition

Roberta Alexander, Jan Jarrell

Copyright 2021
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A Community of Readers: A Thematic Approach to Reading 8th Edition by Roberta Alexander/Jan Jarrell

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Overview
Meet the Authors
What's New
Features
Table of Contents
Pricing

Overview

Alexander/Jarrell's A COMMUNITY OF READERS: A THEMATIC APPROACH TO READING, Eighth Edition, helps developing readers engage in all steps of the reading and learning process: reading, discussing and reflecting, writing and critical thinking. Using the unique PRO system -- Prepare to Read, Read Actively and Reflect, and Organize to Learn -- students develop and follow a concrete learning process that helps them examine fact and opinion, understand bias, identify main and supporting ideas, write effectively and more. Each chapter focuses on a theme, helping emerging readers develop schema, and introduces a key reading skill, such as identifying main ideas. Updates include two new themes (Chapter 1: Succeeding in College and Chapter 5: Our World, Our Environment), new full-length readings in every chapter, new visual aids and an e-book version with the MindTap digital learning solution.

Meet the Authors

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Roberta Alexander

Dr. Roberta Alexander is Professor Emeritus at San Diego City College. She has taught Reading, Composition, Literature, Chicano Studies and Black Studies as well as English as a Second Language courses for the San Diego Community College District since 1974. Formerly the Department Chair of English, Chair of Chairs and Academic Senate President, she now focuses on teaching and writing and is the author of a series of college reading textbooks. Dr. Alexander earned her BA in Spanish Literature from University of California, Berkeley and her PhD in Comparative Literature from University of California, San Diego.

Jan Jarrell

Jan Jarrell is chair of the Academic Senate at San Diego City College. A professor of English and English Language Acquisition, she has taught English as a Second Language, Reading and Composition courses in both the credit and noncredit divisions of the San Diego Community College District since 1989. Her numerous leadership positions include Department Chair, Chair of Chairs, Interim Associate Dean and Basic Skills Coordinator.

What's New

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Revised and refreshed, the new Eighth Edition includes updated themes and new readings in every chapter.
More succinct and streamlined, content focuses on key concepts, comprehension checks and critical thinking.
Pedagogy and themes are integrated into each chapter to maximize student engagement, learning and course success.
Critical thinking exercises are included for each reading and mastery test, helping students continuously sharpen their skills as they progress through the text.
An all-new anthology of additional readings and mastery tests equip readers with a wealth of resources to further explore chapter concepts.
Giving instructors complete control of their course and offering students the flexibility of anywhere, anytime learning, an e-book version with the MindTap digital learning solution includes interactive syllabi, gradable exercises, annotation capability, an online dictionary, short instructional videos and much more.

Features

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A comprehensive instructor’s manual offers ideas for group activities, writing assignments and out-of-class projects.
Compelling Themes: The book’s thematic approach enables students to focus on a single topic and explore complex material from varied viewpoints and through different genres. Chapter openers draw students into the chapter theme with intriguing visuals and thought-provoking discussion questions.
Work the Web Feature: Each chapter includes a boxed section that encourages students to further explore the theme through a web-based activity.
Skills Mastery: Multiple self-checks and mastery tests throughout the book give students opportunities to assess their knowledge of key skills and concepts. Instructors also can use these exercises as reviews, pre-tests or post-tests.
Work the Web Feature: Each chapter includes a boxed section that encourages students to further explore the theme through a web-based activity.

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PART I: SKILLS INSTRUCTION AND THEMATIC READINGS.
1. The Reading Process: Succeeding in College.
2. Working with Words: Living with Technology.
3. Topics and Main Ideas: Our Food, Our Culture.
4. Support for Main Ideas: Staying Well.
5. Patterns of Organization: Our World, Our Environment.
6. Inferences and Reading Literature: Exploring Gender.
7. Facts and Opinions: Living in a Diverse Society.
8. Critical Thinking: Crime and Punishment.
Part II: ANTHOLOGY.
Additional Readings.
Additional Mastery Tests.