Books on the Process of Reading & Writing

NOTE: All these books are available at U of T libraries. To find call numbers and locations, use the “search” functions of the online catalogue.

Avery, Heather. Thinking it Through: A Practical Guide to Academic Essay Writing.
A self-instruction book, especially good on organizing and focussing argument.

Bazerman, Charles. The Informed Writer: Using Sources in the Disciplines.
Advice on reading and analysing research readings. Good sample papers from various disciplines.

Booth, Wayne, Gregory G. Colomb and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research.
Excellent on defining research questions, setting up arguments, and assessing evidence. Useful to students at all stages.

Elbow, Peter. Writing With Power.
Shows how to overcome writer’s block and gain confidence.

Giltrow, Janet. Academic writing : writing and reading in the disciplines.
This book teaches writing through an understanding of genres of scholarly writing.

Graff, Gerald. They say / I say : the moves that matter in persuasive writing.
Demystifies the academic essay as an ongoing conversation between members of a disciplinary community.

 Klauser, Henriette. Writing on Both Sides of the Brain: Breakthrough Techniques for People Who Write.
Ideas about using creativity to overcome writer’s block and gain confidence.

Tensen, Bonnie L.. Research Strategies for a Digital Age.
How to take advantage of the Web while avoiding the pitfalls.

VanderMey, Randall et al. The College Reader.
Provides strategies for writing in a wide variety of genres.

Zinsser, William. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Non-Fiction..
A readable account of what good writing is, in both the university and the workplace.