First Time Up: An Insider'S Guide For New Composition Teachers

by Brock Dethier

"First time up?"—an insider’s friendly question from 1960s counter-culture—perfectly captures the spirit of this book. A short, supportive, practical guide for the first-time college composition instructor, the book is upbeat, wise but friendly, casual but knowledgeable (like the voice that may have introduced you to certain other firsts). With an experiential focus rather than a theoretical one, First Time Up will be a strong addition to the newcomer’s professional library, and a great candidate for the TA practicum reading list.

Dethier, author of The Composition Instructor’s Survival Guide and From Dylan to Donne, directly addresses the common headaches, nightmares, and epiphanies of composition teaching—especially the ones that face the new teacher. And since legions of new college composition teachers are either graduate instructors (TAs) or adjuncts without a formal background in composition studies, he assumes these folks as his primary audience.

Dethier’s voice is casual, but it conveys concern, humor, experience, and reassurance to the first-timer. He addresses all major areas that graduate instructors or new adjuncts in a writing program are sure to face, from career anxiety to thoughts on grading and keeping good classroom records. Dethier’s own eclecticism is well-represented here, but he reviews with considerable deftness the value of contemporary scholarship to first-time writing instructors—many of whom will be impatient with high theory. Throughout the work, he affirms a humane, confident approach to teaching, along with a true affection for college students and for teachers just learning to deal with them.

Genres: Teaching, Nonfiction, Textbooks

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, I guess. Perfect for its purpose but a bit bland. I prefer Lad Tobin.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As reading to prepare to teach a course to first-time composition teachers, I found this to be one of the most accessible, comprehensive, and useful things I found. While Dethier might go on longer than he needs to about the good things about being a composition instructor, he also has really solid advice to offer surrounding many of the challenges that come along with such teaching. And his tone is conversational and takes seriously the professionalism and skills of the would-be teachers he is addressing.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super practical FYC advice. I’m changing my whole approach but have forgotten how I used to do it. This is mostly based on Donald Murray’s process writing but is very nuts and bolts about the reality of student writing.

[Bob · Rating 1 out of 5]

Despicable, infantile, boomer, post-hippie, expressivist shit

[Cliff]

Read most of it in grad school. Thought I'd finish it as a refresher.

[Matt Sautman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I will be teaching college level English Composition for the first time in August, and since I have a habit of reading my textbooks for grad school ahead to lessen the burden I will face throughout the semester as reading time becomes far more scarce, I decided to begin with Brock Dethier's "First Time Up." As someone who has taught Creative Writing as part of a community college outreach program and who was trained in high school English pedagogy, many of the ideas within "First Time Up" were not necessarily revolutionary to me, but I can see how they could be for someone who has never taught composition of any kind before. What I enjoyed most about the book is a combination of Dethier's style, which is very familiar and inviting (he encourages the reader to call him Brock for goodness's sake), and its elaboration upon strategies for classroom management. When I went through the education program during my undergraduate year, classroom management was something we spent the least amount time upon and was something we were somewhat expected to perfect with our work out in the field. While it is true that I have had to develop strategies of my own, I wish I could have had access to Dethier's advice on classroom control sooner, only to have helped squash some of the poor struggles I have had to endure with past students. There are also some lessons and grading criteria contained within the book that may find their way into my coming semester,or at least the subsequent one, especially the activities regarding plagiarism. It's a fantastic resource and concise.

[Kristen Hutchings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book since I will be teaching composition courses at USU this fall. I am terrified!! I think this book did a good job of preparing me for some scary scenarios that I might come across in my classes. SInce I am a constant worrier, I found a strange sort of comfort in that, since I am always concocting the worst nightmare possible so that I'll be prepared. The writing in this book was good, but it was hard for me to get though for some reason. Fear may have had something to do with it. But I am willing to read 5,000 of these books if it prepares me for the future and molds me into a more effective teacher.

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to teaching composition for the first year. Many helpful comments and ideas about pedagogy both practical and theoretical. Can be used as a resource guide since it is not necessary to read cover to cover as Dethier points out in the introduction. This leads to some repetition throughout the chapters. The appendices are also useful. Since its publication in 2005, the spread and importance of using technology makes his comments seem outdated and perhaps a little short-sighted even for 2005. Overall, a great resource and a well-written, easy read.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is, like, the first book I've managed to finish in a month. I dipped into this book a lot on and off, and it has a lot of great teaching advice for first-year comp instructors that's presented in an approachable manner. If you're frightened of teaching (as I am) or at least super-anxious, this book will help assuage any lingering fears!

[Roof Beam Reader (Adam) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great, accessible resource for new (or newish) Composition Instructors.