In what ways does your topic relate to the Bedford Brief History of Rhetoric Composition? What key rhetors discussed in this history inform your topic?
My topic deals with the bridge between high school ELA and freshman college composition. The history of rhetoric figures heavily into my topic in several ways. One, the history, the real history, shows a trend in education that lends toward a well-developed, articulate and educated student who can compose thoughts and papers on a higher standard. Also, there are several specific categories or time periods which support my idea that there should be bridge between high school and college composition. In particular, the Scottish influence from the 18th century which dealt with producing refined students of persuasion. The Harvard model deals with including literature in the secondary curriculum to get the students to become more classically trained in literature and composition for the higher standards of colleges and universities. Progressive education will perhaps play a large role in my paper in that it is the time of high school English teachers breaking away from the college standards of composition. In the 70s, writing across the curriculum became a new trend in education. In the 90s, the cross-cultural and diverse approach emerged. All of these trends inform my topic in that any of these approaches can be started at the secondary level as a foundation for composition in college. I'm a big-time believer that college freshman have 12 years of education to back them up, so there should hardly be a need for a "fresh-start" approach to composition in college. The first-year composition courses should be able to plunge into writing higher level and higher standard compositions without having to teach these students as if it is the first time they are learning these skills. At the same time, high school composition courses should be able to stand alone as a curriculum which will produce a quality member of society in terms of thinking and responding.
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Your point about how the history shows trends in education that lead to higher standards is a good one. And, as you imply, each element in some way--small or large--is used today. Looking forward to reading your paper that will use progressive education strategies and tactics.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kate's notes, especially, to your post here.
ReplyDeleteThere is a bridge, or needs to be. But, how? And how to sustain it? What types of projects can be shared? How can WPAs learn from high school teachers? Vice-versa? Very good notes about the connections between rhetorical theory and aproaches in FYC, Jo Anna.