INTERACTIONS: A THEMATIC READER is designed to help users discover meaning in what they read and to convey meaning in what they write. The book provides effective models of reading and styles of writing while explaining the process and interdependence of reading and writing, stressing the connections users can make between their own experiences and what they read. It also introduces them to prewriting techniques such as freewriting, brainstorming, mapping, clustering, and journals. The readings in the book represent a wide range of voices, topics, and sources, including a balance of male and female authors and significant contributions by culturally diverse writers. This diversity creates a stimulating context for reading and writing and also allows users to encounter new voices as well as to identify with familiar ones.