Naming What We Know, Classroom Edition: Threshold Concepts of Writing Studies

by Linda Adler-Kassner (editor), Elizabeth Wardle (Editor)

Naming What We Know, Classroom Edition examines the core principles of knowledge in the discipline of writing studies, using the lens of “threshold concepts”—concepts that are critical for epistemological participation in a discipline. This edition focuses on the working definitions of thirty-seven threshold concepts that run throughout the research, teaching, assessment, and public work in writing studies. Developed from the highly regarded original edition in response to grassroots demand from teachers in writing programs around the United States and written by some of the field’s most active researchers and teachers, the classroom edition is clear and accessible for an audience of even first-year writing students.

Genres: Nonfiction, School, Writing, Read For School, Education

122 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2016

Reviews

[Resh · Rating 4 out of 5]

some thought provoking essays!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite chapter was definitely concept 1's! Oftentimes, when reading this, I found myself going, "There are words for that experience?" Overall, it challenged a lot of my views on the process of learning to write, and it justified some other views that I couldn't quite explain. I would recommend this for anyone in the field of Writing Studies or just writers who want to boost their expertise on the writing process. I think there are a lot of connections to be made between this book's material and the fanfiction writing community. I'm pretty excited to explore that in my research.

Keep in mind:
-The prologue and introduction start off a little slow. The critical information in them is repeated later in the book, anyway.
-This is a piece of academic writing, written by multiple scholars. Some of them have rather engaging prose, others drag a bit. If the section you're reading has you bored, chances are, it'll turn around soon.

Overall, I really liked how the book split things up into bite-sized sections. The format lends itself to quick reading bursts, with time to reflect in between.

[Colin McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda obvious but kinda the point? Kinda good read tbh

[Suhaib · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book explains a number of threshold concepts in the teaching of writing. These are far from practical and work instead as points of departure or transcendence in the experiential sense. In other words, they represent Aha moments of transformation, in which one's perspective completely alters after going through them. It has been a mediocre and uninspiring read to be honest. But maybe because I have a practical turn of mind. People who appreciate abstractions or conceptual understanding may enjoy it more than I did.

[Maggie Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although many of the concepts in this book were familiar to me, there were several provocative ones. It summarizes threshold concepts in a way that is easy to share with students and use to guide our conversations on the purpose of writing. It's also a handy book for entering the composition studies conversation.

[quynh · Rating 4 out of 5]

actually really good i did enjoy this read as much as it was hard to process (esp the introduction...)
i did enjoy how it put some concepts of writing in to words to express what they actually are and i liked how it expressed writing as an unnatural trait because i never thought about it like that :3

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

No surprises here given the length of time these ideas have been in circulation. I wouldn’t assign the text because there are too many concepts shallowly explored. That said, they are threshold concepts well written about by some heavy hitters in the field.

[Traynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this short book long after I started it, but it was terrific. As a longtime WPA, it’s hard not to hope I can get more of the faculty I support to read this book, or at least internalize what it lays out so plainly. Even if it’s narrow and unexhaustive, it’s such a helpful starting point.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite how long it took me to finish the book, this text contains very applicable and sound reasoning behind effective writing strategies.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reading this for my teaching composition class. There wasn't anything surprising in here, but some ideas were stated in a really clear manner that would be easy to share with students.

[Hannah Potantus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regardless of my dislike of the content, this book did have a very nice way of organizing its material.

[Eleonor Wolf]

if I’m going to be reading a book in a day for this MA program it is absolutely going on my Goodreads no matter how unexciting it is

[rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

this review is sponsored by jon batiste

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful compilation of different thresholds concepts to consider in writing studies

[shelley :)]

insightful af!

[Laurel (Yeetarandomwriter) Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember if I read the preface or introduction but the 5 threshold concepts/chapters were interesting!
I feel like I learned a lot (when I was understanding what it was saying).
I read this for my Grammar class, so I'm thankful we had class discussions over the concepts.

[Effy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this little book to be informative and helpful, as well as very profound in its simplicity.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I got this book for my teaching assistantship course and at first I really enjoyed it, but as the semester has gone on, a lot of what’s discussed in this, while helpful and good to know for people like me (first time college writing teachers), I found it redundant at times. Especially paired with what we’re practicing and discussing in my course. I would definitely recommend this for first time writing teachers though. It gives pedagogical specifics for things that you may already be doing in your everyday.

[Mills College Library]

808.04207 N1748 2016