Freeze Frame: Reading and Writing. 1. On Using Description. A Sandwich, Nora Ephron.
Deep Cold, Verlyn Klinkenborg.
The Bridge, Jason Holland.
El Hoyo, Mario Suarez.
Left Sink, Ellery Akers.
2. On Using Narration. Designer of Audio CD Packaging Enters Hell, Steve Martin.
Learning Then College, Meg Gifford.
The Night of Oranges, Flavius Stan.
Time to Look and Listen, Magdoline Asfahani.
The Pie, Gary Soto.
3. On Using Definition. Chocolate Equals Love, Diane Ackerman.
I Was a Member of the Kung Fu Crew, Henry Han Xi Lau.
The Handicap of Definition, William Raspberry.
The Myth of the Matriarch, Gloria Naylor.
Where Nothing Says Everything, Suzanne Berne.
4. On Using Example. Sweatin' for Nothin', Michael Barlow.
Stop Ordering Me Around, Stacey Wilkins.
A Black Fan Of Country Music Finally Tells All, Lena Williams.
The Joy of Starvation, James Gorman.
Bananas for Rent, Michiko Kakutani.
5. On Using Division and Classification. The New York Walk: Survival of the Fiercest, Caryn James.
Always, Always, Always, Bill Rohde.
The Search for Human Life in the Maze Of Retail Stores, Michelle Higgins.
The Plot Against People, Russell Baker.
Desert Religions, Richard Rodriguez.
6. On Using Comparison and Contrast. Living on Tokyo Time, Lynnika Butler.
Playing House, Denise Leight.
World and America Watching Different Wars, Danna Harman.
Two Ways to Belong in America, Bharati Mukherjee.
The Raven, Barry Lopez.
7. On Using Process. Runner, Laura Carlson.
How to Swat a Fly, Will Cuppy.
A Woman's Place, Naomi Wolf.
Independence Day, Dave Barry.
Inspiration? Head Down the Back Road, and Stop for the Yard Sales, Annie Proulx.
8. On Using Cause and Effect. Tiffany Stephenson-An Apology, Bjorn Skogquist.
When Music Heals Body and Soul, Oliver Sacks.
Wrestling with Myself, George Felton.
Black Men and Public Space, Brent Staples.
When Here Sees There, George Packer.
9. On Using Argument. Last Rites for Indian Dead, Suzan Shown Harjo.
Gay Marriages: Make Them Legal, Thomas B. Stoddard.
High School, an Institution Whose Time Has Passed, Leon Botstein.
Don't Impede Medical Progress, Virginia Postrel.
One Internet, Two Nations, Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Internet Not For Everyone, Robyn Greenspan.
10. For Further Reading: Multiple Modes, Varied Opinions. On College Athletics. Cutting the Field, Welch Suggs.
End the Hypocrisy on College Athletics, Cynthia Tucker.
Show Us the Money, Jeremy Bloom.
On Films. Ringing Hollow, Sean Burns.
Grit and Spectacle Help `Lord' Ring True, Duane Dudek.
On Torture. Torture Warrants? Harvey A. Silvergate.
Torture SHould Not Be Authorized, Philip B. Heymann.
Yes, It Should Be on the Books, Alan M. Dershowitz.
Credits. Index of Authors, Essays, and Terms. 