I have just read Wendy Bishop's article,"Against the Odds in Composition and Rhetoric, apparently her conference-chair-address to an address to the 52nd CCCC. I actually had to look up the CCCC as I did not know what it stood for or who she was. Our little piece in Combiblio gave me a bit of background,and as I always tell my students: getting drawing on background to get started as a reader does help.
However, Wendy doesn't want to talk about reading but instead only about Rhetoric and Composition which she describes as "true love." I had to smile as I read the article. For one thing I was pleasantly surprised that while she was writing about academia, and the rigors of Rhetoric, I could actually understand, and even more, I could relate. So reading her article was enjoyable.
I loved her comparison between those of us who write and the description in Gerald's Manley Hopkins's poem "Pied Beauty.""Glory to God," he says, for the dappled, the plotted landscape, all things counter, strange, fickle and freckled."
She speaks of those who study writing as outsiders, perhaps mot valued for their scholarly approach to composition. But then she also imagines that if "our field" became dominant. She argues, I believe, that though it may be fatiguing, and scholars and teachers of composition may be against the odds compared to those who study liteature, she would still prefer composition. Other wise tho fatiqued if she were inn the llimelight, she may be bored.
Bishop prefers, "openness, a lack of plan, a chance to .. choose my own way," and believes that those who chose to study composition may be looking for a refuge from , "less hospitable spaces. Interesting thought!
In the last segment of the article Bishop seems to take off the writers' hat and puts on the Conference chair seat, I assume to stand up for Rhetoric and Composition against the Odds. Having been to many conferences NCTE, CCIRA, and TESOL, both participating and as a first time presenter, I had to smile at her accurate description of what goes on there - on the inside and out.
I agree with her delightful descriptions and metaphors. I too think that fatique and burnout can be fought by studying my classroom, keep going to conferences, celebrate good work, talking, listening and sharing.
I was happy to find myself enjoying our first scholarly composition.If I write less the next time , it may be that I didn't "get it." nancy
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Your blog is a little difficult to read. The letters are too small. Why would blogger even allow such small letters??
ReplyDeleteBut, on with the useful comments...
Your blog made me think of something. You mention that Bishop prefers to "choose my own way," and it occurred to me that the only way for a teacher to get to choose her own way is to have followed the rules for a while.
I believe that all English disciplines are difficult, and that not everyone is cut out for teaching, and that this refuge Bishop speaks of relates mostly to her own fears, rather than the fears of all English teachers.
I think it's cool that you have been to conferences, because I have never been to one (at least not in English). It's really nice that you have experienced that. I am sure that I will get my turn, too, one of these days.