A Rhetoric for Writing Teachers

by Erika Lindemann, Daniel Anderson (Primary Contributor)

From answering the question "Why teach writing?" to offering guidance in managing group work and responding to assignments, A Rhetoric for Writing Teachers provides a comprehensive introduction to the teaching of writing. Now in a fourth edition, this remarkably successful book features a new chapter by Daniel Anderson on teaching with computers and adds updated material on invention, intellectual development, and responding to students' writing. Describing in straightforward terms the cross-disciplinary scholarship that underlies composition teaching, it opens with chapters on prewriting techniques, organizing material, paragraphing, sentence structure, words, and revising that show teachers how to lead students through composing. Sections on writing workshops, collaborative learning, and instructional technology reflect current views of writing as a social interaction. Chapters on rhetoric, cognition, and linguistics explain theoretical principles that support classroom
practices and make teachers' performances more effective.
Treating both the theory and practice of writing, this classic book encourages teachers to adopt the methods that best meet their students' needs and to develop a style of teaching based on informed decisions. It provides an extensive updated bibliography--including useful Web sites as well as important books and articles--and an updated table of important dates in the history of composition. A Rhetoric for Writing Teachers, 4/e , offers both prospective and seasoned writing teachers convenient access to influential scholarship in the field and inspires them to examine what it means to teach well.

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

366 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 1987

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lindemann provides a helpful breakdown of the history of rhetoric--especially for those who are new to the topic. As far as pedagogy, there are some checklists and how-to lists that could be very beneficial to new teachers. However, her take on technology needs to be updated and her writing style is tedious.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though some of the information in this book, particularly the technology chapter is dated, I still think this book is very helpful for new English teachers.

[Jacquie Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book as study material for my Master's exam coming up way too soon. I discovered though that beyond giving me the background information to the development of composition this is a guide to teaching writing I wish I had read years ago. In fact, I don't think I've received any formal "how to teach writing" instruction which was the entire reason I started this master's program. I especially appreciate the chapters on how to develop a writing assignment and the prewriting and rewriting sections. I fear teaching writing and this book gives me a handle to approach it with my students. There was this one section that summed the flaws of my teaching up nicely (it's long, but this is my way of recording and reflecting where I am now) "An outside observer, evaluating the visible, outward evidence of the teacher's energetic performance, might conclude that the student in this class are learning to write, that the teacher is earning her salary. But the students probably aren't learning to write, primarily because they're not doing any writing. They're just sitting there." oooh, but this will change.

[Lief · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a decent overview of how to put together a writing composition class. Lindemann presents a lot of issues that teachers may not normally think about, especially in terms of responding to student papers. Her chapter on rhetoric is a bit overly reductive, and I don't think she does a good enough job of explaining why (or how much) a teacher needs to know about the history of rhetoric. Otherwise, the book is very accessible and essentially acts as a "Teaching Composition for Dummies" sort of a text. I would recommend looking elsewhere, though, for how to put together writing assignments.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for one of my classes for my Master's.

It isn't the worst theory book I've ever read, but it wasn't awesome. The first part of the book is heavy on theory and a bit of a slog. I had learned most of it during my undergrad work, so maybe a lack of fresh perspective made it boring for me. Maybe it was just tedious reading.

The practical tips and anecdotal elements lightened it up some. I was not impressed by the technology chapter. We're to the age now where you almost have to not print that sort of thing because it becomes obsolete so quickly.

I'm glad to be done with it and probably will never crack it again.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to my colleague and friend for recommending this book by Erika Lindemann (I have the 2001 4th edition, but why didn't I read the 1987 edition back when I took that grad course on Teaching College English??. There are many important chapters, but my favorites are "What is Writing?" "Responding to Student Writing" and "Designing a Writing Course". Chapters on teaching paragraphing, sentences, prewriting, revising are useful, but at this point in my career, the broader questions/chapters are more of interest. This will be a text that will help me revise my composition courses this year.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindemann, though I spar with her on some educational practices, is a fantastic source for new writing instructors. If you're teaching composition or rhetoric or a combination, especially to first-year college students, I highly recommend reading this book. Like I said, I don't agree with everything she espouses, but she has helped me generate my own teaching philosophy. Also, she's one of the biggies in the field, so knowing her work and being able to situate yourself in relation to it is crucial if you want a career in writing and rhetoric education.

[Kelli Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindemann’s A Rhetoric for Writing Teachers gives English teachers a solid pedagogical foundation to begin or enhance their teaching careers. The author elucidates, with research-supported theory to back practice, the many nuances to negotiate that teaching English can encompass. The book is most valuable for those developing a pedagogy and accompanying practices—highly recommended for the new teacher.

[Lisette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tedious writing style, outdated tech section, and too-light on cognitive theory and writing, this book can be good for an upperclass undergraduate student in rhetoric. Not for a doctoral-level course. In any case, there are some helpful bits for those new to teaching writing. But I've been teaching college writing for 20+ years and this book was assigned for my last course in my PhD program, so I unfortunately didn't learn much from this book.

[Wags · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third edition.
While the first half is dedicated to historical and theoretical catch up, the second half has a lot of solid advice and exercises that an instructor can take directly into the classroom. A good foundation book for newer writing teachers (like me).

[Mr. W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third edition.
While the first half is dedicated to historical and theoretical catch up, the second half has a lot of solid advice and exercises that an instructor can take directly into the classroom. A good foundation book for newer writing teachers (like me).

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hands-on book about teaching writing. Lindemann is fond of group work and has great suggestions.

[Justinlohr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice blend of theory and practical application, although the final chapter on use of technology in the classroom is clearly dated.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty practical, straightforward guide for writing teachers. Very helpful!

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bleh.

[sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource for anyone teaching composition. I'm sure I'll revisit it regularly as long as I'm teaching comp.

[Wendy E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

...a great teaching text...

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a younger writing instructor, I found Lindemann's book to be an informative gateway to more specific theories and concrete teaching practices.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for ELA teachers who wish to get their students writing at college level. Informative and stimulating ;0)

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a lot of practical advice for teaching rhetoric. Very useful.