About the Author

Dr. Susannah M. Givens has been searching for the perfect textbook for her developmental reading and writing courses since she started teaching at Northern Virginia Community College in 2004.

Many texts include an overwhelming amount of information, are too expensive, or lack engaging readings. Other developmental English texts tend to focus mostly on writing while glossing over critical reading practices that are essential for students to apply in their college courses. After many years of thinking, “I should write my own text,” Dr. Givens finally did to address the gaps she had identified.  

As states and colleges have redesigned (and re-redesigned) developmental English programs, course offerings and credit hours have shrunk, leaving faculty with limited instructional time and the need to distill the most essential practices for students to gain before entering English composition. This text is an attempt to provide a free resource that will target those essential practices.