Final Reflection on Composition

Composition by definition is: the art of putting words and sentences together in accordance with the rules of grammar and rhetoric. That to me is what composition is – an art. Composition is the art of putting words together to engage the reader and persuade them to take your side on a given topic. In this class, I have learned one of the ways to do this successfully is to write in a way that appeals to the reader’s logos, ethos or pathos. These words were not new to me, but until I took this class, I had never understood the meaning behind them. They play a huge role when writing a persuasive paper. The Toulmin argument, however, was something new I learned this semester. This will make me a better writer because it gives me a great guide to follow to ensure that my argument is well established and backed up with evidence to support it.

I find it interesting to view language as that which separates us from becoming cannibals. The Bygott article posed the question “The implication was obvious and, for many, terrifying. If chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, carry the genetic code for cannibalism, surely humans must too?” Terrifying indeed! While it is true that humans are, by nature, selfish and all about self-preservation, I will never accept the idea that we are all capable of eating another human being. In the reading by James Miles refers to language as being a “double-edged sword” when he writes, “It might be language that allows us to be loved, but language also causes grief when that love is lost”. I have the quote highlighted because it really spoke to me. The one feeling in the world that can make us feel euphoric can in an instant bring you to your knees. Language is what makes us human.

This class has changed the way I thought about teaching Composition. Honestly, I had never really given it much thought; I just figured I would go into the classroom and teach it the way it has been taught for years. My students will thank Kevin for giving me some great examples of what not to do when teaching it in my classroom. First of all, I will do as Lanham suggests and make composition fun. I will teach the students there is more to an essay than just the making sure they get the five paragraph formula. I want them to have a positive feeling about writing; I want them to enjoy writing. I want them to know there is a purpose for writing. The students need to learn early in their writing education that the more expressive and thought out your choice of words is, the more interesting their paper will be and the more enjoyment they will get out of writing it. A.J.’s presentation on incorporating “juice” into your class to get them to find their voice was great. The quote from his paper, “If there’s no personality in your writing, it’s dead. If it’s not your personality, you’re dead. Bang, bang” is so true. Even Lanham suggests students find their voices in writing. No one wants to read or write a paper that bores them to tears!

Technology is another strategy I will incorporate into teaching composition in my classroom. I loved Kamerin’s presentation on letting the students make a PowerPoint to demonstrate their understanding of poetry. I cannot wait to try that with my students. I am actually hoping I can try it during my student teaching. Who knows, maybe I can teach my mentor teacher a new trick or two that she can use with her students in future years. I feel this class has prepared me for anything in the world of writing. Blogging is something I want to incorporate into my class as well. I feel blogging gives the student an outlet with which to write without having to necessarily having to worry about form. I want to give them a way to write that enhances their ability to communicate by letting their thoughts flow freely from their brains to their fingertips and on to the screen. I found myself writing whatever came to my mind in our blogs this semester. I know we usually have a topic to discuss, but I find it easier to discuss something if I am not given any strict instruction as to how I compose it.

This class has given me tools I will definitely use in my classroom as I begin my teraching journey. I have enjoyed this class.

Reflections on this class...

Well... hmm. Obviously just the name of the course, Issues in Composition, made me a bit apprehensive about the class. At this point in my academic career I was not looking forward to yet another class that was going to require massive amounts of writing – and then bam! Cannibalism... that topic in itself achieved a great task... getting me interested in what the class was going to have to offer: something other than – what can sometimes be described as – the mundane task of essay after essay. Nice hook, Kevin! That was a very interesting couple of days of discussion.

Our discussions on rhetoric were very insightful as well. It was eye opening to say the least to know that everyday in our day to day lives we are trying to persuade others. Its funny, last night I was sitting outside on my porch and I heard the little girl next door begging her dad to let her stay outside until 8:30. She was using bargaining (please, Daddy, I will clean my room and clean out the bottom of my closet) which, unbeknownst to her, she was using an appeal to her daddy’s pathos with her emotional appeal... yes, I actually had that thought run through my mind as she begged and plead with him! He, in return, appealed to her ethos by threatening to spank her if she said please again. Denied! She failed in her use of rhetoric to persuade dad to let her have her way. lol!

This course will benefit me as I begin to teach composition in the classroom. It has given me insight into ways to make writing a less daunting task for students... there are many cool ways to get students to realize that writing is not always about the 5 paragraph model – I know that structure is how I am most comfortable writing, but at the same time, I need to work on breaking out of that shell as well. Not only will my students grow as writers, but I will too. There is always room for growth and fine-tuning the skills we have as writers.

Lanham Schmanham?

Hmmm... what can I say about Lanham that I have not expressed in class... like Autumn said – idealistically, he has some really cool ideas... and I like I said, it would be very hard and unrealistic to think we can implement many of them. Standardized tests have made a teacher’s life increasing difficult. There are so many concepts that have to be covered in a limited amount of time. Reading aloud is definitely one of his better ideas. That would definitely appeal to the auditory learner – and that is one of the learning style we have to implement lessons around. In fact, there are several reading and pre-reading activities that are centered around that learning style specifically. I know I seem to have an intense dislike for the book, but that is not the case. Like I said in class, I just cannot be so anti-textbook! I am very much a believer of using it as a secondary source and finding outside sources as primary sources... but there are things in the textbooks that we have to cover or risk reprimand. I am hoping that I am going to be one of the lucky teachers that come in and are able to have a little say so in the choice of textbook... that would be great.

To sum it up: Lanham’s ideas are good just difficult to implement. =)