Offering developmental students comprehensive, step-by-step instruction for writing expressive, informative, and persuasive essays, this book showcases the writing process and presents a wide variety of engaging assignments. It strengthens students' reading, thinking, and writing skills; validates their diverse and unique cultural experiences; and helps them use computers and the Internet for communication and learning. The book builds students' confidence by encouraging them to think of themselves as writers with important ideas to communicate. Chapters in the book are: (1) Composing Ourselves, Writing for Others; (2) The Writing Process; (3) Crafting Paragraphs; (4) Showing the Ways We Change; (5) Reporting Pastimes and Interests; (6) Analyzing Cultures; (7) Explaining Concepts; (8) Evaluating Your World; (9) Debating the Limits of Free Expression; (10) Identifying Issues, Proposing Solutions; (11) Keeping a Journal; (12) Conducting Primary, Library, and Internet Research; (13) Taking Timed Writing Tests; and (14) Assembling a Writing Portfolio. A handbook with exercises is attached. (RS)