The Basic Composition student workbook, containing exercises designed to accompany the Teacher Manual by the same title, is divided into three sections: warm-up activities; the paragraph; and the essay.

This approach to teaching writing is clear, thorough, and comprehensive. Drawing on recent developments in writing theory, it provides up-to-date writing models and motivating writing activities.

This unit is written with the assumption that students learn to write best by examining and communicating what they know, rather than by stating and practicing the rules of punctuation and grammar in isolation. It is by authentic communication to real audiences that students learn to use the writing skills—including correct grammar and spelling—necessary for clear communication.

Students learn to use adequate supportive details, organize, vary sentence structure, use proper grammar, make effective transitions, and revise. They take a stand on an issue, demonstrate the use of sentence variety, combine sentences, identify irrelevant details, write well-developed paragraphs, work with thesis statements, and write introductory and closing paragraphs.