Issues of multiculturalism that have concerned writing instructors for the past two decades are covered in a practical and accessible manner. The tone and subject matter of the book are consistently sensitive to the experience of traditional and nontraditional readers alike. This is also the only book to provide readers with a brief critical history of the rhetorical tradition that created composition classes. In addition to its unique focus, Rhetoric for a Multicultural America covers the essential information writers need to produce their best work. It offers sound, proven advice on planning, writing, and revising essays. What distinguishes this book from others is that these ideas are always presented in a multicultural context. For example, critical thinking about how language works is illustrated with a discussion of free speech and hate speech; Burke's pentad is presented not only as a tool for invention, but specifically as a device to help readers generate ideas about race, class, and gender; an introduction to stylistic devices begins with a discussion of the African American trope called signifyin'.