Preface
The reader and writer of the college textbook have a special relationship—the time-honored
connection of student and teacher. In this relationship, the writer has the responsibility of provid-
ing information in a coherent and orderly way. The writer should prove his or her credibility by
citing current and classic studies and the thoughts of past and present authorities on the subject.
The writer should present not only his or her own views, but also the basis of these views and their
place in the greater scheme of knowledge. The writer is also responsible for introducing material
and summarizing it to provide the reader with context and closure.
The writer also has the responsibility of presenting important and meaningful information in
terms easily understood by people from all walks of life while not talking down to them. The words
used by the writer should enable and not obstruct communication by capturing and retaining the
reader’s interest. The writer must continually walk the fine line between overwhelming and boring
the reader.
The writer should be tactful when addressing sensitive topics, yet not so much as to be weak
or reticent. Thought-provoking ideas are not offensive to most college-level readers, nor should
they be. The writer of the college textbook pens in the embrace of academic freedom and has the
responsibility to value, protect, and respect that special privilege.
That said, there is no such thing as an unerring writer. There will always be typographic errors,
content errors, and faulty sentences; there are no perfect books. It is the writer’s responsibility to
attempt to achieve perfection in every word, sentence, paragraph, page, and chapter while appreci-
ating the futility of accomplishing it.
The reader of the college textbook has the responsibility of giving the writer the opportunity to
live up to his or her responsibilities.