Engaging Inquiry: Research and Writing in the Disciplines

Reflecting analytical processes common to all research thinking and writing, this practical composition guide offers a fully integrated study of the inquiry and writing process, and arms users with the tools they will need to successfully produce and communicate the written word in today's challenging academic environments. Blends a variety of theoretical reading and writing activities that help users explore ways that specific disciplines develop rigor in different aspects of those processes, and how the full range of thinking and writing skills can develop best through inquiry within disciplinary contexts. Presents units in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and critical applications of interdisciplinary thinking and uses a process composition approach throughout, sequencing reading, hands-on inquiry and informal writing activities toward mastery of the complex structures of disciplinary arguments and their relationships to written genres. Cumulatively builds critical interdisciplinary thinking skills through discipline-specific research and writing activities, and integrates language development (both syntactical and organizational) with inquiry processes by actively engaging readers in knowledge-making activities. For those interested in improving their academic research writing skills; also ideal for use in teaching training seminars and programs.