Textbook

2023-2024 Textbook Edition

Figure 1. The University Writing Program’s textbook for 2023-2024 is a Virginia Tech custom edition of Understanding Rhetoric (3rd edition). This custom edition includes four chapters tailored to our specific first-year writing curriculum, two of which are reprinted from Try This: Research Methods for Writers. The book is used in both ENGL1105 and ENGL1106.
For the printed version of the textbook, the ISBN is 978-1-319-54130-9 (cost: 68 USD).
For the ebook, the ISBN is 978-1-319-55595-5 (cost: 48 USD).


The University Writing Program’s textbook for 2023-2024 is a Virginia Tech custom edition of Understanding Rhetoric, 3rd ed. The VT custom edition has been ordered for all sections of ENGL1105 and ENGL1106. The textbook will be available in two formats in 2023-2024: a digital/ePub version (48 USD) and a printed/bound paperback version (68 USD). The digital/ePub version provides access for 48 months. Both versions of the textbook will be available for purchase in early August from Follett bookstore on the Blacksburg campus or at www.hokieshop.com.

Once you have obtained a VitalSource redemption code for Understanding Rhetoric (VT custom), visit “How to Redeem a VitalSource Redemption Code” at http://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020775933-How-to-Redeem-a-VitalSource-Redemption-Code for additional guidance about how to enter the code and gain access to the digital/ePub version of the book.

For sections of ENGL1106 using a theme, the following titles have been reviewed and recommended by the Course Materials subcommittee and approved by the University Writing Program Committee. Orders have not been placed for these titles; adopting a thematic reader for ENGL1106 is up to each instructor; GTAs teaching thematic sections must work with the following selections:

Food Matters, Holly Bauer, ed., 3rd edition, 2021
Intelligence, Barclay Barrios, ed., 1st edition, 2021
Science and Technology, Erica Duran and Lauren Mecucci Springer, eds., 1st edition, 2020
Language Diversity and Academic Writing, Samantha Looker-Koenigs, ed., 1st edition, 2018
Sustainability, Christian R. Weisser, ed., 2nd edition, 2019

If you have any questions about the textbook for the University Writing Program, please contact Julie Mengert at jmengert@vt.edu.

Previous Textbook Editions

Fall 2022–Summer 2023

Figure 2. The Virginia Tech University Writing Program’s textbook for 2022-2023 is Understanding Rhetoric (3rd edition). This custom edition includes four chapters tailored to our specific first-year writing curriculum. The book is used in both ENGL1105 and ENGL1106. For the printed version of the textbook, the ISBN is 978-1-319-50068-9 (cost: 68 USD). For the ebook, the ISBN is 978-1-319-50069-6 (cost: 48 USD).