THE WRITER'S HARBRACE HANDBOOK, Brief Fifth Edition, is grounded in the belief that an understanding of the rhetorical situation--the writer, reader, message, context, and opportunity for writing--provides the best starting point for effective writing and reading. This comprehensive handbook guides student writers in employing that rhetorical understanding as they choose the most effective information to include, the best arrangement of that information, and the most appropriate language to use. The text moves students through the steps that constitute successful writing from finding appropriate topics and writing clear thesis statements to arranging ideas and developing initial drafts. THE WRITER'S HARBRACE HANDBOOK, Brief Fifth Edition, also provides several sample student papers in various disciplines, along with instruction for successfully completing similar assignments.