Open Educational Resources and English

Recommended or Commonly Used Texts

• Critical Worlds: A Targeted Introduction to Literary Analysis (Long, 2023) – Pressbooks (CC BY)

  This text aims to refine students’ literary analysis skills by emphasizing critical approaches and methods, preparing them for upper-division literature courses. The course focuses on techniques in literary research, enabling students to apply researched, critical perspectives to a variety of texts.

  

• EmpoWord: A Student-Centered Anthology and Handbook for College Writers (Abrams, 2018)

  EmpoWord: A Student-Centered Anthology and Handbook for College Writers (Abrams, 2018) – LibreTexts  (CC BY-NC, except where otherwise noted).
  EmpoWord is a reader and rhetoric that champions the possibilities of student writing. It uses actual student writing to exemplify effective writing strategies, celebrating dedicated college writing students to encourage and instruct their successors. Through both creative and traditional activities, readers are encouraged to explore a variety of writing styles and purposes.

  

• How Arguments Work: A Guide to Writing and Analyzing Texts in College (Mills et al.,  ASCCC OERI, 2022) – LibreTexts

  How Arguments Work Ancillaries – Canvas Commons (CC BY-NC)

  How Arguments Work takes students through the techniques they will need to respond to readings and make sophisticated arguments in any college class.  This is a practical guide to argumentation with strategies and templates for the kinds of assignments students will commonly encounter. It covers rhetorical concepts in everyday language and explores how arguments can build trust and move readers.

  

• Let’s Get Writing (Browning et al., 2018) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  Let’s Get Writing (Browning et al., 2018) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA) Available in Canvas Commons.
  This introduction is designed to exemplify how writers think about and produce text. The guiding features are the following:
  Every good piece of writing is an argument.
  Everything worth writing and reading begins with a specific question.
  Improving skills takes practice, feedback, and re-thinking, redoing, revising.

  

• Rhetorical Communities: Understanding Language, Power, and Communication Across Contexts (Meredith, Choong, and Garcia, n.d.) – Pressbooks (CC BY-SA)

  Rhetorical Communities introduces students to key concepts such as rhetorical situation, discourse communities, genre, and multimodality, while examining how language, identity, and power shape communication across contexts. With its modular structure and inclusion of topics like linguistic justice and generative AI, the text offers a flexible, rhetorically grounded resource that can support ENGL C1000 and C1001.

  

• Successful College Composition (Crowther, et al., 2016)

  Successful College Composition (Crowther, et al., 2016 – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
  This text is a transformation of Writing for Success. It offers a comprehensive guide to college-level writing, emphasizing critical reading, writing processes, and research skills. It covers various rhetorical modes and includes sections on grammar and style. The book is structured to support students in developing effective writing strategies for academic success.

  

• Supporting English Language Learners in First-Year College Composition (Bayraktar, 2023) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This textbook offers comprehensive support tailored for English Language Learners (ELLs) in first-year composition courses. It covers essential areas such as writing processes, effective strategies, and conventions of usage and style. The content is organized into clear units, making it suitable not only for ELLs but also for other learners in support courses or those transitioning from intensive English programs.

  

• The Word on College Reading and Writing (Babin et al., 2017)

  The Word on College Reading and Writing (Babin, 2017) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC)

  Written by five college reading and writing instructors, this interactive, multimedia text draws from decades of experience teaching students who are entering the college reading and writing environment for the very first time. It includes examples, exercises, and definitions for just about every reading- and writing-related topic students will encounter in their college courses.

  

• Writing as Inquiry (Clevenger and Rust, 2022) (CC BY-NC-SA except where otherwise noted)

  Designed for Writing 121 at the University of Oregon, this resource serves as a zero-cost, high-quality guide to academic writing. It prepares students for success in college and beyond by focusing on writing as a process of inquiry and critical thinking.

  

• Writing For Success 2023 (Martin, 2023) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  Writing For Success (McLean, 2015) – LibreTexts
  Writing for Success – Affordable Learning Georgia adaptation (Weaver et al., 2019) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
  Writing for Success – Canvas Commons

  This comprehensive, popular, and frequently adapted text provides step-by-step instruction in writing, reading, and critical thinking, combined with a thorough grammar review. It introduces paragraph writing and composition, making it suitable for beginner writers in college. The book’s structure allows flexibility, enabling instructors to assign specific sections based on students’ needs.
  Note: The version by the University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing Services is unpublished as of 12/31/24. 

  

• Writing Guide with Handbook (OpenStax, Bachelor-Robinson, 2022)

  Writing Guide with Handbook (2022) – LibreTexts (CC BY)

  This guide focuses on various genres and emphasizes the writing process, effective practices, and conventions of usage and style. It includes tools like graphic organizers, writing frames, and word banks to support visual learners. The organization by genre aids students in understanding and applying different writing styles effectively.

  

Other textbooks that fully cover the descriptor (the quality or the popularity of these resources has not been assessed)

• A Dam Good Argument (Delf et al, 2022)

  A Dam Good Argument (Delf et al, 2022) – LibreTexts (CC BY except where otherwise noted)

  This book focuses on understanding persuasion in everyday contexts, aiming to make readers more thoughtful and skeptical consumers of content. It covers the four tiers of sources and leads to discussions on style, form, and mechanics, providing practical guidance on evaluating sources and constructing arguments.

  

• A Guide to Rhetoric, Genre, and Success in First-Year Writing, 2nd Edition (Gagich and Zickel, 2023) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  A Guide to Rhetoric, Genre, and Success in First-Year Writing – LibreTexts  (CC BY-NC-SA)
  This book combines the Introduction to Writing in College by Melanie Gagich and ENG 102: Reading, Writing and Research by Emilie Zickel, which were both supported by Cleveland State University’s 2017 Textbook Affordability Small Grant. Combines instruction in rhetorical awareness and academic writing with examples of student work. Emphasizes the role of genre in communication and supports the development of college-level writing through scaffolded learning. 

  

• Basic Reading and Writing (Lumen) – LibreTexts (Varied licenses)

  Varied licenses – terms of each page must be reviewed.
  Developed by Lumen Learning in collaboration with Cerritos College but is now on LibreTexts. This textbook serves as a resource for pre-college English composition classrooms. It is the first in a three-course series titled ‘Path to College Composition,’ focusing on foundational reading and writing skills.

  

• Claim Your Voice in First Year Composition, Vol. 2 (Kiefer and Rock, 2021) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This is volume 2 of a a two-part instructional text series for first-year composition students. Volume 2 is intended for students who have some college composition and rhetoric knowledge and experience.

  

• Composition 1: Introduction to Academic Writing (Seay, 2022) (CC BY-NC-SA except where otherwise noted)

  This textbook offers a comprehensive guide to academic writing for Composition 1 students. It compiles several OER textbooks and resources, with edits and additions by Seay, covering the basics of academic writing.

  

• Composition in Cultural Contexts: Writing Within and Across Modalities and Subjectivities (Gurevich, 2021) (CC BY except where otherwise noted)

  This textbook reimagines the college essay by exploring how the writing process develops across various modalities and subjectivities. It encourages students to consider cultural contexts in their writing.

  

• Culturally Responsive Composition: A Writer’s Handbook (Gurevitch, 2023) (CC BY)

  This book explores the essential elements, processes. and techniques of successful academic writing. Focusing on significant developments in technology, learning styles, and cultural competencies, readers are introduced to the various critical stages of the essay writing process; with relevant links, exercises, and downloadable handouts.

  

• ENGL 1302 Composition II Research and Analysis (Mathison et al, 2021) (CC BY-NC)

  This OER packet contains course materials for ENGL 1302, introducing students to the ways in which writing can help them connect their experiences or ideas with those of others. It emphasizes research and analysis skills in composition.

  

• English 101 Rhetoric and Composition (Kinonen et al, Bay College, 2017) (CC BY)

  Adapted from Writing for Success.
  Covers topics taught in the first English class, with an interactive table of contents, focusing on rhetoric and composition. Adapted from Writing for Success.

  

• English Composition I: Rhetorical Methods (Lumen Learning) – LibreTexts

  English Composition I: Rhetorical Methods (Lumen Learning) – Canvas Commons (log in to Canvas first for the link to work). Varied licenses – terms of each page must be reviewed.

  This course focuses on developing students’ academic writing, close reading, and critical thinking skills. It emphasizes rhetorical methods and includes a writing process that involves pre-writing, drafting, feedback, and revision.

  

• English Composition II (Lumen Learning)

  English Composition II (Lumen Learning) – LibreTexts Varied licenses – terms of each page must be reviewed.
  This course builds upon the skills developed in English Composition I. It offers comprehensive support for college-level writing, focusing on research, analysis, and argumentative writing.

  

• English Composition: Connect, Collaborate, Communicate (Inoshita et al, University of Hawaii Manoa, 2019) (CC BY)

  English Composition: Connect, Collaborate, Communicate – LibreTexts version (CC BY)
  Designed by instructors from the University of Hawai’i system, this OER textbook covers foundational concepts for English 100 (first-year college composition). It aligns with learning outcomes across all campuses in the system and was created during a three-day book sprint in May 2019.

  

• Frameworks for Academic Writing (Poulter, 2013) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  Frameworks for Academic Writing (Poulter, 2013) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
  Designed for a wide range of writing abilities, from beginning to expert academic writers. ESL, ADL, LD, ADHD, and other writers who are simply unfamiliar with academic writing patterns benefit from sentence-by-sentence templates, prompts, tutorials, and examples. More confident writers may simply use the checklists provided.

  

• Fresh English: A Guide to First-Year College Composition, Grammar, and Rhetoric (Davis, 2016) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  Provides a practical approach to teaching composition, covering essay writing, grammar, and rhetorical skills with interdisciplinary lessons and multimedia resources. It emphasizes relevance and adaptability and caters to diverse learning styles.

  

• Informed Arguments: A Guide to Writing and Research (Pantuso, et al, Texas A&M, 2019) (CC BY-NC-SA

  All contributing works are copyrighted and CC-licensed by their respective authors. Informed Arguments is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
  This textbook focuses on developing students’ abilities in reading, writing, researching, and speaking within the context of freshman composition. It emphasizes critical thinking and civil public discourse, guiding students through the process of constructing well-informed arguments. The content includes discussions on thesis statements, paragraph structure, and ethical considerations in research, providing a comprehensive foundation for academic writing and research skills.

  

• Intermediate College Writing: Building and Practicing Mindful Writing Skills (Atkinson and Corbitt, 2022) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This text focuses on developing academic and workplace writing skills alongside effective study habits. It combines practical guidance with interactive exercises and thoughtfully designed writing opportunities, covering topics such as document design, research, and collaboration.

  

• Introduction to College Writing at CNM (Schaller and Wolf, 2022) (CC BY-SA except where otherwise noted)

  This textbook is a derivative of seven creative commons texts—Successful Writing, Writer’s Handbook, A Guide to Perspective Analysis, Writing, Rhetoric and Composition, English for Business Success, and Visual Rhetoric. Jennifer Schaller and Tammy Wolf reduced the original text content; additionally, they created original introductions and added original chapters

  

• Literature for the Humanities (Lumen Learning) – LibreTexts

  This courseware includes resources copyrighted and openly licensed by multiple individuals and organizations. Click the words “Licenses and Attributions” at the bottom of each page for copyright and licensing information specific to the material on that page.

  

• Oregon Writes Open Writing Text (Kepka, OpenOregon, 2018)

  Oregon Writes Open Writing Text (Kepka) – LibreTexts (CC BY)

  This textbook guides students through rhetorical and assignment analysis, the writing process, researching, citing, rhetorical modes, and critical reading. Uses accessible but rigorous readings by professionals throughout the college composition field.

  

• Pacific Writing! (Sonstroem, 2022) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This textbook focuses on writing instruction with a regional perspective, incorporating themes and examples pertinent to the Pacific region. It aims to engage students by connecting writing skills to local contexts and issues, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of composition within their own communities. The material includes diverse writing exercises and readings that reflect the cultural and social dynamics of the Pacific area.

  

• Polyphony: Reader and Explorations for First-Year Writing (Snow, Takehana, and Ubiera, 2024) (CC-BY-NC-SA)

  Polyphony is a functional, creative, and radical resource for facilitating critical conversations about multilingualism, the politics of language, and linguistic justice in the first-year writing classroom. Texts and activities explore diverse perspectives on themes like silencing/voicing, language extinction and reclamation, (in)visibility, translation, agency, and validation, among others. Highlights multiple modes of writing, including personal narrative, textual analysis, argumentation, reflection, and research.

  

• Reading and Writing Your World: Textbook and Reader for Composition (Cummins and Goorjian, 2022) (CC BY)

  An interactive composition textbook that emphasizes a growth mindset and active learning through multimodal resources and tools like annotation software. Its structured chapters guide students from foundational strategies for reading and writing to mastering rhetoric and inquiry-based composition skills.

  

• Rhetoric – What, Why, and How? (Skyline College English, 2023) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This textbook, developed by English faculty at Skyline College, provides clear instruction on recognizing and applying effective writing, reading, and research strategies. It aims to improve students’ abilities to inform, persuade, and motivate through discourse.

  

• Rhetoric Matters: A Guide to Success in the First Year Writing Class (Falk et al.,) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  Aimed at dual enrollment students, this guide offers students necessary concepts and practice to learn all the elements needed for successful first-year writing and sets the stage for future writing success in college. It covers topics such as reading in writing class, thinking and analyzing rhetorically, writing processes, structuring, revising, multimodal reading, visual rhetoric, research processes, and ethical source integration.

  

• The antitextbook of writing (Priebe, 2021)

  The antitextbook of writing (Priebe, 2021) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
  Authored by Sybil Priebe, this resource challenges traditional writing instruction by acknowledging the subjective nature of writing. It encourages students to practice various genres, emphasizing that writing lacks rigid rules and advocating for a flexible, practice-oriented approach.

  

• The Art of Academic Writing (Peterson, 2021) (CC BY-NC)

  This textbook covers writing as a process, modes of discourse, and research writing. It includes numerous sample essays written by students, providing practical examples of academic writing. The text emphasizes the development of writing skills through practice and reflection

  

• The Commons: Tools for Reading, Writing, and Rhetoric (Eastern Kentucky University, 2022) (CC BY-NC)

  A comprehensive introduction to college-level reading, writing, and rhetoric, emphasizing metacognitive strategies and critical reading skills. It includes sections on MLA formatting and explores multiple intelligences.

  

• The RoughWriter’s Guide: A Handbook for Writing Well (Palmer and Van Lieu, 2020) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This handbook offers practical guidance on writing, focusing on clarity, coherence, and style. It provides strategies for effective composition.

  

• The Worry Free Writer (Palmer, 2020) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This guide aims to alleviate writing anxiety by offering straightforward advice and techniques. It emphasizes building confidence and developing a positive writing mindset.

  

• Write Here, Right Now: An Interactive Introduction to Academic Writing and Research (Tucker and Chafe, Ryerson University, 2018) Multi-media including video and assignments. (CC BY)

  This interactive textbook introduces students to academic writing and research. It integrates videos, diagrams, and linked modules to support a flipped classroom model, enhancing engagement and understanding.

  

• Write What Matters: A modular open educational resource to support first-year writing courses in Idaho (Long et al., MSL Academic Endeavors, 2020) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This textbook offers a comprehensive guide for first-year writing students, featuring lessons, examples, exercises, and definitions tailored to various reading and writing scenarios encountered in academic settings. Its modular design allows instructors to select sections that complement their teaching approaches, making it a versatile resource for enhancing students’ writing skills.

  

• Writing Guide with Handbook (OpenStax, Bachelor-Robinson, 2022)

  Writing Guide with Handbook (2022) – LibreTexts (CC BY)

  This guide focuses on various genres and emphasizes the writing process, effective practices, and conventions of usage and style. It includes tools like graphic organizers, writing frames, and word banks to support visual learners. The organization by genre aids students in understanding and applying different writing styles effectively.

  

• Writing In College: From Competence to Excellence (Guptill, 2016)

  Writing In College: From Competence to Excellence (Guptill, 2016) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
  Written with a lively voice and student comments, this textbook guides students transitioning to college-level writing, moving beyond the five-paragraph essay to more advanced text engagement. It offers practical advice on critical thinking, thesis development, and understanding professors’ expectations

  

• Writing Rhetorically: Framing First Year Writing (Fontenot) (CC BY)

  This OER has a focus on dual enrollment students. This resource introduces students to various rhetorical modes essential for academic writing, including narration, illustration, comparison, and cause and effect. It provides detailed assignment sheets and student worksheets for each major writing project, facilitating practical application of the concepts discussed. Includes professional and student essay examples.

  

• Writing Unleashed: Content and Structure 3.0 (Priebe et al, North Dakota University System, 2020)

  Writing Unleashed – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This concise guide emphasizes a fun and engaging approach to writing. It incorporates voices from teachers and students, covering topics like content development, structure, genres, and the writing process, aiming to make writing enjoyable and accessible.

  

• Writing, Reading, and College Success: A First-Year Composition Course for All Learners​ (Kashyap and Dyquisto, 2020) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC)

  This text supports diverse learners with a scaffolded approach to reading, writing, and college success, tailored to developmental and English Language Learners. It includes expanded content on the writing process, teacher resources, and materials for varied learning styles.

  

• You, Writing!: A Guide to College Composition (Glynn, 2018) (Glynn, Hallsten-Erickson, and Swing) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  You, Writing! A Guide to College Composition – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
  This textbook emphasizes writing as a process, encouraging students to discover and refine their individual writing methods. It covers topics such as audience analysis, topic selection, thesis development, organization, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading, and research.

  

Resources that cover parts of the descriptor or treat topics individually rather than as part of a cohesive textbook approach

See also the Style Guides section and the Readings section on the main Open Educational Resources and English page.

• A Guide to Analyzing Arguments in an Academic Setting (UMass Dartmouth, 2024) (CC BY-NC-SA)
• A Writer’s Guide to Mindful Reading (Carillo, 2017) (CC BY-NC-ND)“ND” indicates no modifications can be made to this OER.
• Auburn University Writing Resources (2018) (CC BY-NC-SA)
• Bad Ideas about Writing (2017) (CC BY)A collection of articles intended to stimulate questioning of common beliefs about writing.
• Composition 2: Research and Writing (Seay, 2022) (CC BY-NC-SA except where otherwise noted)
• Critical Language Awareness: Language Power Techniques and English Grammar (Reinhardt et al, 2023) (CC BY-NC)
• Critical Thinking in Academic Research (Gruwell and Ewing, 2022) (CC BY except where otherwise noted)
• Excelsior Online Writing Lab (CC BY) Includes interactive exercises.
• Exploring Perspectives: A Concise Guide to Analysis (Fallows, 2011)Exploring Perspectives: A Concise Guide to Analysis (Fallows, 2011)  – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
  Designed to help students write and revise an analytical essay. (CC BY-NC-SA)
• Heritages of Change: Curatorial Activism and First-Year Writing (Tracy, 2024) (CC BY-NC)Heritages of Change: Curatorial Activism and First-Year Writing (Tracy, 2024) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC)
• Integrated Skills: Academic Writing with Sources (Duke et al., 2021) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
• Introduction to College Research (Butler et al, 2021) (CC BY)
• Methods of Discovery (Zemliansky, 2014) (CC BY-NC-SA)Research focused, advanced
• MLA 8th Edition Instructional Videos (CC BY)This resource has 8 videos on how to properly cite the most common sources using the 2016 MLA 8th edition. The videos teach students how to do their own documentation and citation, rather than encourage them to use citation generators.
• Off the Shelf: A Digital Anthology of Classic and Contemporary Short Stories (Stephen Logan and Heather Thompson-Gillis) (CC BY-NC-SA)
• Open English @ SLCC: Texts on Writing, Language, and Literacy (SLCC English Department, 2016) (CC BY-NC)
• Processes: Writing Across Academic Careers (Iverson and Ehrenfeld, 2022) (CC BY-NC-SA)
• Reading and Writing Successfully in College: A Guide for Students (Lynne) (CC BY-SA)
• Rhetoric and Composition/Rhetorical Analysis (Wikibooks, 2021) (CC BY-SA)Brief treatments of a range of rhetorical concepts.
• Rhetorical Analysis in the Real World (Ryder) (CC BY-NC-ND)“ND” indicates no modifications can be made. A frequently cited personal essay demonstrating the value of rhetorical analysis.
• The Argumentative Research Project: A Step by Step Course (Layton, 2016)  (CC BY-SA)
• The Simple Math of Writing Well (Harrop)The Simple Math of Writing Well (Harrop) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
• University Academic Writing for International Students: A Usage-based Approach (Moder et al, 2020) (CC BY)
• Who Teaches Writing? (Daniel et al., Oklahoma State University 2022) (CC BY except where otherwise noted)
• Why Study Rhetoric? or, What Freestyle Rap Teaches Us about Writing (CC BY-NC-ND; “ND” indicates no modifications can be made)
• Writing Commons (CC BY-NC-ND; “ND” indicates no modifications can be made)Writing Commons is “an encyclopedia for writers, rhetors, knowledge workers, symbol analysts…800+ original articles on subjects of interest to producers and consumers of texts in home, school and workplace settings”.
• Writing for Inquiry and Research (Kessler et al, 2023) (CC BY-NC)
• Writing Is Easier Than You Think: A Composition Textbook with 100+ Model Essays (Webb, 2020) (CC BY)
• Writing LCC: An Anthology of Student Writing Collected at Lansing Community College Lansing, Michigan (Warnke, 2021) (CC BY)
• Writing SpacesWriting Spaces Volume I – LibreTexts, Writing Spaces Volume II – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-ND; “ND” indicates no modifications can be made)
  Writing Spaces is “an open textbook project for college-level writing studies courses. Each volume in the Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing series contains peer-reviewed collections of essays about writing—all composed by teachers for students”.
• Writing to Learn: A Course Design and Educational Resources (Keston, 2022) (CC BY-NC)

• Brehe’s Grammar Anatomy (Brehe, 2019) (CC BY-SA)
• Conventions 101: A Functional Approach to Teaching (And Assessing!) Grammar and Punctuation (Ramsey, OpenOregon 2016) (CC BY-NC)
  Note that the liinks to Word documents exercises work, but PDF links do not.
• Grammar Essentials (Excelsior Online Writing Lab, 2022); Grammar Essentials (Excelsior Online Writing Lab, 2022) – LibreTexts (CC BY)
• Guide to Writing (Lumen Learning) ; Guide to Writing (Lumen Learning) – LibreTexts. This courseware includes resources copyrighted and openly licensed by multiple individuals and organizations. Click the words ‘Licenses and Attributions’ at the bottom of each page for copyright and licensing information specific to the material on that page.
• Grammar Refresher (Excelsior Online Writing Lab, 2022) (CC BY)
• Pocket Style Guide (Frost and Samra) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
• Style for Students Online (Schall, 2016)  (Schall, 2016) (CC BY-NC-SA, “except where otherwise noted”)
• Writing Commons – Style (2020) (2020) (CC BY-NC-ND; “ND” indicates no modifications can be made)
• Style in Writing, Reading, and College Success (Kashyap and Dyquisto, 2020) – LibreTexts and Grammar Writing, Reading, and College Success (Kashyap and Dyquisto, 2020) CC BY-NC.

• 88 Open Essays – A Reader for Students of Composition and Rhetoric (Wangler and Ulrich, 2020) – LibreTexts (licenses vary)
• Digital Public Library of America. Includes public domain and copyrighted materials.
• Internet Archive. Includes public domain and copyrighted materials.
• My Slipper Floated Away: New American Memoirs (Blau, 2020)  (CC BY-NC-ND; “ND” indicates no modifications can be made)
• Off the Shelf: A Digital Anthology of Classic and Contemporary Short Stories (Stephen Logan and Heather Thompson-Gillis) (CC BY-NC-SA)
• Project Gutenberg offers over 53,000 free ebooks that reside in the public domain and copyrighted titles, for which the copyright holder has given permission for unlimited non-commercial worldwide use. Early Modern Literature through Early 20th Century offerings.
• The Composition Reading Bank (Brooks-Pannell et al., 2020) (CC BY-NC-SA except where otherwise noted) Some links have limited access.
• Sci-fi and Fantasy Anthology (Hoppe, 2019);  Sci-fi and Fantasy Anthology – LibreTexts (Hoppe, 2019) (CC BY)
• The Conversation.com (CC BY- ND; “ND” indicates no modifications can be made) A collection of essays and articles on current issues, written by academics. The slogan is “Academic rigor, journalistic flair.”
• Thematic Reading Anthology (Lumen Learning); Thematic Reading Anthology (Lumen Learning) – LibreTexts This courseware includes resources copyrighted and openly licensed by multiple individuals and organizations. Click the words “Licenses and Attributions” at the bottom of each page for copyright and licensing information specific to the material on that page.
• Towards an Open Anthology of Poetry (Mount, 2017)  (Mount, 2017) (CC BY-NC)
• Women’s Autobiography (Dixon-Kolar, 2022) (CC BY except where otherwise noted)
• Writing LCC: An Anthology of Student Writing Collected at Lansing Community College Lansing, Michigan (Warnke, 2021) (CC BY)
• Writing Unleashed Reader (Priebe) (CC BY-NC-SA)

Articles on English OER and Open Pedagogy

• “Creating and Using Open Educational Resources (OER) in Reading and Writing Classes,” by Christine Hutchins of Hostos Community College, writing in NCTE journal Teaching English in the Two-Year College, Vol. 47, No. 3, March  2020. All rights reserved.
• Case Study: Expanding the Open Anthology of Earlier American Literature (Robbins) (CC BY)
  This link requires an account through Pressbooks to access.

Textbooks

• A Dam Good Argument (Delf et al, 2022)

  A Dam Good Argument (Delf et al, 2022) – LibreTexts (CC BY except where otherwise noted)

  This book focuses on understanding persuasion in everyday contexts, aiming to make readers more thoughtful and skeptical consumers of content. It covers the four tiers of sources and leads to discussions on style, form, and mechanics, providing practical guidance on evaluating sources and constructing arguments.

  

• Arguments in Context: An Introduction to Critical Thinking (Robinson, 2021)

  Arguments in Context: An Introduction to Critical Thinking (Robinson, 2021) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC)

  Emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions and understanding psychological influences on reasoning. It includes classroom-tested examples and exercises that highlight the relevance of critical thinking in everyday life, with discussions on disagreement, cooperative dialogue, and the impact of social media.

  

• Claim Your Voice in First Year Composition, Vol. 2 (Kiefer and Rock, 2021) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This is volume 2 of a a two-part instructional text series for first-year composition students. Volume 2 is intended for students who have some college composition and rhetoric knowledge and experience.

  

• How Arguments Work: A Guide to Writing and Analyzing Texts in College (Mills et al.,  ASCCC OERI, 2022) – LibreTexts

  How Arguments Work Ancillaries – Canvas Commons (CC BY-NC)

  How Arguments Work takes students through the techniques they will need to respond to readings and make sophisticated arguments in any college class.  This is a practical guide to argumentation with strategies and templates for the kinds of assignments students will commonly encounter. It covers rhetorical concepts in everyday language and explores how arguments can build trust and move readers.

  

• Informed Arguments: A Guide to Writing and Research (Pantuso, et al, Texas A&M, 2019) (CC BY-NC-SA

  All contributing works are copyrighted and CC-licensed by their respective authors. Informed Arguments is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
  This textbook focuses on developing students’ abilities in reading, writing, researching, and speaking within the context of freshman composition. It emphasizes critical thinking and civil public discourse, guiding students through the process of constructing well-informed arguments. The content includes discussions on thesis statements, paragraph structure, and ethical considerations in research, providing a comprehensive foundation for academic writing and research skills.

  

• Logic and Philosophical Writing (Levin and Sheley, 2025) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This textbook is designed to meet the expectations of both an Introduction to Logic course and an Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking course. It consists of chapters on logical (including formal logic) and critical thinking (such as fallacies) concepts paired with classic readings in philosophy to provide context and exercises for applying the concepts that are being covered.

  

• Reading, Writing and Evaluating Argument (Werry, 2019) – Word (CC BY-NC-SA)

  Reading, Writing and Evaluating Argument – teaching materials
  This resource focuses on developing students’ abilities to read, write, and evaluate arguments effectively. It covers rhetorical concepts in accessible language and provides practical strategies for constructing and analyzing arguments, Produced by the Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies at SDSU (piloted fall 2019).

  

• Rhetorical Communities: Understanding Language, Power, and Communication Across Contexts (Meredith, Choong, and Garcia, n.d.) – Pressbooks (CC BY-SA)

  Rhetorical Communities introduces students to key concepts such as rhetorical situation, discourse communities, genre, and multimodality, while examining how language, identity, and power shape communication across contexts. With its modular structure and inclusion of topics like linguistic justice and generative AI, the text offers a flexible, rhetorically grounded resource that can support ENGL C1000 and C1001.

  

• Write What Matters: A modular open educational resource to support first-year writing courses in Idaho (Long et al., MSL Academic Endeavors, 2020) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This textbook offers a comprehensive guide for first-year writing students, featuring lessons, examples, exercises, and definitions tailored to various reading and writing scenarios encountered in academic settings. Its modular design allows instructors to select sections that complement their teaching approaches, making it a versatile resource for enhancing students’ writing skills.

  

Resources

• The College Composition (C-ID English 100) textbooks and resources will be helpful. Many of those include brief or partial treatments of English 105 course content.
• Arguing Using Critical Thinking (Marteney, ASCCC OERI, 2020) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
• Critical Reasoning and Writing (Levin et al., 2019) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
• Critical Thinking (Gurevitch); (Gurevitch) – LibreTexts  (CC BY)
• Diving into Rhetoric (Armstrong, 2020) (CC BY-NC-SA)
• MIT Rhetoric course (Steven Strong, 2015) (CC BY-NC-SA)

Textbooks, Openly Licensed

• Introduction to Literature: Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and How They Shape Us (Young, 2024) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  Introduction to Literature: Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and How They Shape Us introduces college students to the study of literature through a focus on texts that, generally, they already know, or think they know, and how those texts aim to shape audiences to be compliant members of their culture.

  

• Literary Studies For A Sustainable Future (Espinoza-Vasquez, 2024) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  Literary Studies for a Sustainable Future: An Introductory Course with Social Justice and Ecocriticism Intersections is a university literature textbook that offers a sampling of the vast array of storytelling and literary traditions from around the world. Led by course outcomes, the book’s readings, activities, and assignments aim to establish a 21st century framework. Through songs and folklore, film clips, poetry, myth, storytelling, and satirical theater, its chapters feature key literary texts and terms to present literature as vital community-sustaining cultural expressions.

  

• Literature, Critical Thinking, & Writing (Shehorn, 2023) (CC BY)

  This resource integrates literature study with critical thinking and writing skills, encouraging students to engage deeply with texts. It covers fiction, poetry, and plays and provides strategies for literary analysis and literary criticism.

  

• Literature, the Humanities, and Humanity (Steinberg, 2014) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This book seeks to demonstrate the value of reading and studying literature, emphasizing that literature is meant to be enjoyed and has something meaningful to convey to readers. It offers comprehensive and helpful readings of important canonical texts.

  

• Surface and Subtext: Literature, Research, Writing (Carly-Miles et al, 2024) (CC BY-NC)

  A resource from Texas A&M University that teaches critical analysis and interpretation across genres such as poetry, short stories, novellas, novels, drama, film, and creative nonfiction. It provides strategies for reading and writing, sample essays for guidance, and tools for literary research and thesis development.

  

• The Open Anthology of Literature in English (O’Brien) (CC BY-NC)

  This anthology offers a curated selection of English literature, emphasizing diverse voices and historical contexts. Its modular structure allows instructors to tailor content to specific course needs, facilitating a comprehensive exploration of literary traditions.

  

• Writing and Critical Thinking Through Literature (Ringo and Kashyap, 2020) – LibreTexts

  Writing and Critical Thinking Through Literature (Ringo and Kashyap, 2020) – Canvas Commons (CC BY-NC)

  This textbook integrates literary analysis with composition instruction, guiding students to develop critical thinking and writing skills through engagement with diverse literary texts. It emphasizes the connection between reading and writing, encouraging analytical responses and effective communication. The text includes exercises and prompts designed to enhance students’ interpretive and expressive abilities.

  

• Writing and Literature: Composition as Inquiry, Learning, Thinking, and Communication (Bennet, 2017)

  Writing and Literature: Composition as Inquiry, Learning, Thinking, and Communication (Bennet, 2017) – LibreTexts (CC BY-SA)

  This text combines composition instruction with literary analysis, promoting writing as a process of inquiry and critical thinking. It includes a variety of literary works to serve as models and prompts for student writing, fostering an environment where students learn to articulate their ideas effectively. The text is structured to support the development of writing skills applicable across disciplines.

  

• Composition and Literature (Sexton and Soles, BCcampus, 2019)
  This courseware includes resources copyrighted and openly licensed by multiple individuals and organizations. Click the words “Licenses and Attributions” at the bottom of each page for copyright and licensing information specific to the material on that page.
• Introduction to Literature (Lumen Learning)
  Introduction to Literature (Lumen Learning) – LibreTexts  
  This courseware includes resources copyrighted and openly licensed by multiple individuals and organizations. Click the words “Licenses and Attributions” at the bottom of each page for copyright and licensing information specific to the material on that page.
• Literature for the Humanities (Lumen Learning)
  This courseware includes resources copyrighted and openly licensed by multiple individuals and organizations. Click the words “Licenses and Attributions” at the bottom of each page for copyright and licensing information specific to the material on that page.

• The English Composition (C-ID English 100) textbooks and resources will be helpful.
• Creating Literary Analysis (Cordell and Pennington, 2012) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA)
• Introduction to Poetry (Lindsay and Bergstrom, 2019) (CC BY)
• Say Her Name: Discovering Women’s Voices in History (Palmer, 2020) (CC BY-NC-SA)
• World Mythology Subtitle:Myth, Metaphor, and Mystery (Gurevich, 2021) (CC BY)
• See the literature elective textbooks, readers, and anthologies below.

Textbooks, Openly Licensed

• American Literature I: An Anthology of Texts From Early America Through the Civil War (Kurtz) (CC BY-SA)

  This book offers an anthology of texts that includes letters, journals, poetry, newspaper articles, pamphlets, sermons, narratives, and short fiction written in and about America beginning with collected oral stories from Native American tribes and ending with the poetry of Emily Dickinson. Many major and minor authors are included, providing a sampling of the different styles, topics, cultures, and concerns present during the formation and development of America through the mid-nineteenth century.

  

• Authoring America: A Survey of American Literature from Its Beginnings to 2020 (Grogan, 2021) (CC BY-SA)

  Volumes 1 and 2 apply to this course. Volume 1 explores early American literature, featuring works from Native American origin tales, colonial writings, and early national period texts. Volume 2 covers the Romantic era and the antebellum period,

  

• Becoming America: An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution (Kurant, 2018)

  Becoming America: An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution (Kurant, 2018) – LibreTexts (CC BY-SA)

  This anthology features 69 authors, presenting full texts that showcase the diverse voices in early American literature. It covers Pre- and Early Colonial Literature, Seventeenth Century English Colonial Literature, Revolutionary and Early National Period Literature, and Nineteenth Century Romanticism and Transcendentalism.

  

• Digital American Literature Anthology (O’Connor, 2019) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  Made primarily by students for students, this open-access anthology compiles a wide array of texts from early American literature, emphasizing inclusivity and diverse perspectives. It includes works from Native American narratives to early national period writings, accompanied by introductions and annotations to facilitate deeper understanding.

  

• The Open Anthology of Earlier American Literature (DeRosa  et al., 2016) – LibreTexts (CC BY)

  

• American Literature I (Lumen Learning) – LibreTexts
  This courseware includes resources copyrighted and openly licensed by multiple individuals and organizations. Click the words “Licenses and Attributions” at the bottom of each page for copyright and licensing information specific to the material on that page. Covers the time period up until the Civil War. 

• African American Literature (Syllabus and links to readings) (CC BY NC-SA).
• Case Study: Expanding the Open Anthology of Earlier American Literature (Robbins) (CC BY)

Textbooks, Openly Licensed

• Authoring America: A Survey of American Literature from the Beginnings to 2020 (Grogan, 2021) (CC BY-SA)

  Volumes 3, 4, and 5 apply to this course. Volume 3 focuses on post-Civil War literature through Reconstruction and the Gilded Age. Volume 4 focuses on American literature from 1914 to 1945, exploring the Modernist era. Volume 5 focuses on works from 1945 to the present.

  

• Writing the Nation: A Concise Guide to American Literature 1865 to Present (Berke et al., 2015)

  Writing the Nation: A Concise Guide to American Literature 1865 to Present (Berke et al., 2015) – LibreTexts (CC BY-SA)

  This textbook provides a concise overview of American literature from the post-Civil War period to contemporary times, highlighting key literary movements and figures. It is structured chronologically and includes critical essays and discussion questions, serving as an accessible guide for students and educators.

  

• American Literature II (Lumen) – LibreTexts
  This courseware includes resources copyrighted and openly licensed by multiple individuals and organizations. Click the words “Licenses and Attributions” at the bottom of each page for copyright and licensing information specific to the material on that page.

• African American Literature (Syllabus and links to readings) (CC BY NC-SA).

• Compact Anthology of World Literature (Getty and Kwon, 2015)

  (Getty and Kwon, 2015) – LibreTexts (CC BY-SA)
  This anthology offers a comprehensive collection of world literature, spanning from ancient times to the early modern period. It includes diverse texts from various cultures, providing historical context and critical perspectives to enhance understanding of global literary traditions. Readings are all pre-seventeenth century.

  

• World Literature I: Beginnings to 1650 (Getty and Kwon, 2015)

  World Literature I: Beginnings to 1650 (Getty and Kwon, 2015) – LibreTexts  (CC BY-SA)
  This peer-reviewed anthology covers world literature from the ancient world through the Renaissance, organized into sections by time period and region. It features introductory texts and images before each series of readings

  

• Compact Anthology of World Literature II: Volumes 4, 5, and 6 (Turlington et al., 2018)

  Compact Anthology of World Literature II: Volumes 4, 5, and 6 (Turlington et al., 2018) – LibreTexts (CC BY-SA)
  This anthology covers world literature from the seventeenth century to contemporary works. It is organized into thematic units, including the Age of Reason, Romanticism, Realism, Modernism, Postcolonial Literature, and Contemporary Literature.

  

• Literature in Context: An Open Anthology (National Endowment for the Humanities, Marymount University, and University of Virginia) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This is a web-accessible and mobile-friendly digital anthology of curated, contextualized, machine-readable literature in English. A digitization of literary texts from 1660-1830.

  

• Literature in Context: An Open Anthology (National Endowment for the Humanities, Marymount University, and University of Virginia) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This is a web-accessible and mobile-friendly digital anthology of curated, contextualized, machine-readable literature in English. A digitization of literary texts from 1660-1830.

  

No resources identified.

• An Open Companion to Early British Literature: An Anthology and Guide (Villarreal, 2019) (CC BY-NC-ND)

  A guide for students of early British Literature from the 8th to 18th centuries.

  

• British Literature I: Middle Ages to the Eighteenth Century and Neoclassicism (Robinson and Getty, 2018) (CC BY-SA)

  This anthology covers British literature from the Middle Ages through the eighteenth century, featuring over 50 authors and complete texts of their works. It traces the evolution of literary forms and themes alongside historical shifts from monarchic to parliamentary rule, providing contextual introductions and review questions to enhance understanding.

  

• British Literature through History (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This anthology provides a curated selection of British literary works spanning various historical periods. It emphasizes the development of literary movements and genres within their historical contexts, offering insights into the cultural and societal influences that shaped British literature over time.

  

• British Literature II: Romantic Era to the Twentieth Century and Beyond (Robinson, 2018)

  British Literature II: Romantic Era to the Twentieth Century and Beyond (Robinson, 2018) – LibreTexts (CC BY-SA)

  This volume presents British literature from the Romantic era through the twentieth century, including works by 37 authors. It offers contextual introductions to each literary period, in-depth author biographies, and instructional design features such as reading and review questions, facilitating a comprehensive exploration of the literature’s development.

  

• British Literature through History (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This anthology provides a curated selection of British literary works spanning various historical periods. It emphasizes the development of literary movements and genres within their historical contexts, offering insights into the cultural and societal influences that shaped British literature over time.

  

• English Literature: Victorians and Moderns (Sexton)

  English Literature: Victorians and Moderns (Sexton) – LibreTexts  (CC BY)

  This anthology highlights major works from the Victorian and Modernist periods, providing annotated editions of texts by authors such as Tennyson, Browning, Woolf, and Eliot. It includes research casebooks that offer critical essays, historical context, and scholarly perspectives, designed to engage readers in deeper analysis of the literature’s cultural and intellectual impact.

  

• Kids Read the Best Stuff (Priebe, 2022) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This openly sourced textbook covers the study of children’s literature, including its history, genres, diversity, and controversies. It serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding the complexities and educational value of literature for children.

  

• The Inside, Outside, and Upside Downs of Children’s Literature: From Poets and Pop-ups to Princesses and Porridge (Schuster) (CC BY-NC-ND)

  “ND” indicates no modifications can be made. This textbook examines the historical evolution, genres, and cultural significance of literature aimed at young audiences, emphasizing the intricate ways authors and illustrators depict the human condition, the physical world, and imaginative experiences.

  

• Creative Writing, Creative Process: Ruminations and Exercises (Cheney, 2020) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This textbook offers a comprehensive exploration of the creative writing process, combining theoretical insights with practical exercises. It covers various genres, including fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, providing strategies to overcome writer’s block and enhance creativity.

  

• Elements of Creative Writing, 2nd Edition (Tracey et al, 2023) (CC BY-NC)

  This textbook explores the fundamental components of creative writing, including character development, plot structure, and stylistic techniques. It offers practical exercises to enhance creativity and refine writing skills in dedicated sections on fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.

  

• Introduction to Creative Writing (Lein, 2021) (CC BY)

  Introduction to Creative Writing provides a comprehensive guide to the creative writing process, covering fiction and poetry through structured lessons and videos on character development, imagery, sound, and form. It includes practical exercises, peer review examples, and portfolio assignments to help students refine their craft and present their work professionally.
  Note: The link is a clone of the original, which is no longer available.

  

• Vanguard: Exercises for the Creative Writing Classroom (Bailey et al, 2020) (CC BY)

  This text provides genre-specific exercises in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, contributed by various authors to stimulate creativity and enhance writing skills. Its collaborative approach and organization by genre make it a versatile tool for creative writing instruction. Exercises range from exploring auditory elements in poetry to building compelling fictional characters and crafting nonfiction through imaginative exercises.

  

• Write or Left: Intro to Creative Writing (Priebe, 2019) (CC BY-NC-SA)

  This text goes over some of the general principles of writing practices as well as advice and tips on how to write creatively, but mainly, it introduces many genres of creative writing and encourages experimentation.

  

• Naming the Unnameable: An Approach to Poetry for New Generations (Rubin, 2018); Naming the Unnameable: An Approach to Poetry for New Generations (Rubin, 2018) – LibreTexts (CC BY-NC-SA “except where otherwise noted”)