English Composition is designed to make students better writers. That doesn’t sound too difficult….but in actuality I think this is probably one of the most difficult courses to teach at the college level. There is no clear cut definition of what makes a “good writer.” Therefore, teaching composition is more challenging than teaching a course like Algebra where there is simply a right or wrong answer.
Composition teachers have students that are at different levels, and they must first recognize where their students are and then assist them in taking their writing skills to the next level. Teaching Composition is a process, just as writing is a process. Shaughnessy said “we cannot teach students to write by looking only at what they have written. We must also understand how that product came to being.” That is one of my favorite quotes associated with teaching composition! The instruction of English composition is not just about grammar, it’s about clear expression, organization, and reasoning.
In the end, many theories have been examined regarding the best methods for teaching composition, and there is no fire proof method or standard. English Composition allows teachers to be creative in choosing a method that works best for them and their students…. in an effort for students to leave their classroom as better writers than they were before.
