This highly regarded English Composition text teaches students to read argument and provides material around which they can write their own argumentative essays. Throughout the collection, short and compelling pieces generate classroom debate by touching on today's most controversial issues, including stem cell research and racial profiling. The brevity of each argument allows instructors to assign one or more readings in a single class period. While the majority of reading selections function as models of good writing, the collection also contains poorly structured writing examples so that students can analyze and learn from the flaws. The Twelfth Edition features 'Get Your Facts,' a new section designed to help students use the latest technology and document electronic resources properly.