Comp and Rhetoric

      To be honest, I think this is such an interesting topic and I wish we had more time in the semester to discuss it! To cut to the chase, I'd like to discuss a section of the reading that I really liked. On page 175, the authors say "we believe that the work of rhetoric and composition can best proceed not only through questions of definition and relations between definitions, but also, and more important, through questions of the histories and conditions of that work, including efforts to shape rhetoric and composition and the institutional reception of those efforts." All too often, it seems that people believe that rhetoric is dependent on composition and vice-versa; however, I see the two areas as independent focuses that go hand in hand with one another. For example, one could study the rhetoric of a speech --to me, the spoken word is not composition as we have restricted the definition to writing.  Also, one could study composition through teaching methods, concerning themselves little with the history, definition, or social context of the word or text. When the two focuses meet, however, they complement each other wonderfully. 

       On a closing note, I have absolutely loved this class! I actually plan on pursing a master's in Rhetoric and Composition, so this class was the perfect introduction. One thing that I will definitely take away from this class is that we should never stop questioning what we read. There are always questions and additional purposes once you break the surface of the text. And, no matter what, there will always be another there to challenge you and expand your way of thinking. 

        Good luck to everyone on their finals and have a wonderful Winter Break! I will probably see most of you in one class or another next semester.  :)