Both texts, widely used in first-year writing courses in American universities, are written by Andrea Lunsford, a Stanford University professor recognized as one of the founders of the modern discipline of composition studies.

A first-year student deep into her spring semester studies, Bell says she was “shocked” to learn that her essay had been selected for the next edition of the handbook. “I had almost forgotten that my paper was even given to the publisher and I didn’t think it would be selected,” the nursing major said. “I am honored that something I wrote and spent so much time on will be published.”

Bell’s accomplishment is “a huge recognition,” both for her personally and for the 91����Ƶ writing program, says chair . “Martha’s paper shows how our writing program encourages first-year students to begin thinking about their vocation and engaging in research related to their college majors.”

The quality of the student paper also reflects the first-year writing program’s cohesive focus, developed by rhetoric and composition specialist , as well as the collaborative instructional efforts of faculty and reference librarian , Medley said. Small classes, capped at 16 students, also create opportunities for individual attention and feedback, he added.

“College Writing for Transitions” is a required course for all majors that develops critical skills in writing, reading, research and analysis. For their culminating research paper, students are encouraged to explore a topic related to their future career.

The pre-professional focus is one particularly appreciated by Carolyn Lengel, Bedford/St. Martin’s executive editor for English, who worked with Lunsford to select the essay.

The nursing field was not represented in previous editions of the book or in digital resources, Lengel said. “So many students planning to enter such professions aren’t aware of how important writing will continue to be in their lives and careers.”

Improvement to textbook suggested by 91����Ƶ faculty

The impetus for this new student example came from 91����Ƶ faculty concerns regarding the handbook’s current model for APA documentation, Lengel said. The current model is a literature review that summarizes, rather than quotes, sources. Following correct APA style for summarization, no page numbers are cited.

“The 91����Ƶ faculty requested that a future student APA model in The Everyday Writer include quotations as well as summaries,” Lengel said. “When I told Vi Dutcher that I’d be interested in sample student writing that her faculty considered exemplary, the 91����Ƶ faculty responded with a student writing contest.”

The contest was open to all 160 students enrolled in “College Writing for Transitions” last fall. Bell, a student of , won first place. Though the first- and second-place winners were forwarded to the publisher, there was no guarantee they would be selected to replace the current student model.

“Martha’s paper is an exemplary model of APA style and formatting,” Lengel said, adding that she was “surprised and delighted” by the contest and pleased with its positive results.

The current edition of The Everyday Writer includes 22 pieces of student writing “from social-media writing and PowerPoint slides to memos, cover letters, and researched writing in various disciplines and in four documentation styles,” Lengel said. “We don’t change the work in every edition, and I hope we’ll be able to use Martha Bell’s piece for some time to come!”

Bell is a 2013 graduate of in Harrisonburg, Va., which also emphasizes developing student writing skills.

The exhibit, “Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible,” celebrates the anniversary of the 400-year-old holy book. The 91����Ƶ library is one of 40 in the nation, and the only library in the state of Virginia, chosen to host the exhibit.

91����Ƶ will host an opening reception and lecture on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m.

“We are emphasizing the variety of ways the King James Bible influenced American society, literature and culture,” said Stephanie Bush, 91����Ƶ instructional services librarian. “This is a unique opportunity to bring the Harrisonburg community together to discuss one of the most widely read books in the world.”

Bush says the 91����Ƶ library, which is partnering with the Massanutten Regional Library, is offering a series of programs to appeal to Bible scholars in addition to the general public. Presenters include professors from 91����Ƶ, James Madison University and the University of Virginia.

A can be found on the .

The exhibit includes fourteen graphic panels that combine narrative text with images of rare books, manuscripts and art that are printed on double-sided banners.

Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible, a traveling exhibition for libraries, was organized by the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. It is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, with assistance from the Harry Ransom Center of the University of Texas, to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. The traveling exhibition was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Admission to the exhibition is free.  For more information visit the or contact Stephanie Bush at 540-432-4170; or stephanie.bush@emu.edu.

The exhibit, “Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible,” celebrates the anniversary of the 400-year-old holy book. It is scheduled to circle around the nation, concluding with an appearance at five mid-Atlantic libraries, including the 91����Ƶ library Jan. 23-Feb. 22, 2013.

“We are going to emphasize the variety of ways the King James Bible influenced American society, literature and culture,” said Stephanie Bush, 91����Ƶ instructional services librarian. “This is a unique opportunity to bring the Harrisonburg community together to discuss one of the most widely read books in the world.”

According to the , the exhibit will include fourteen graphic panels that combine narrative text with images of rare books, manuscripts and art that are printed on double-sided banners.

Bush says the 91����Ƶ library has planned a series of programs to appeal to bible scholars in addition to the general public.

Kevin Seidel, PhD, assistant professor of language and literature at 91����Ƶ will lead three of the four programs. Seidel has given several presentations on the King James Bible and his research has focused on religion, secularism and literature.

In addition, 91����Ƶ will be working with Massanutten Regional Library and Michael Galgano, PhD, professor of history at James Madison University on the fourth program.

Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible, a traveling exhibition for libraries, was organized by the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. It is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, with assistance from the Harry Ransom Center of the University of Texas, to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. The traveling exhibition was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Admission to the exhibition will be free.  For more information contact Bush, 540-432-4170; stephanie.bush@emu.edu.