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Composition as Conversation: Seven Virtues for Effective Writing

Publisher:
, 2023
ISBN: 9781540966032
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Overview

This approachable composition textbook for beginning writers argues that the key to writing well is to envision composition as an empathetic and respectful conversation.

Written by a teacher with more than 15 years of experience in the college writing classroom, Composition as Conversation explores what happens when the art of conversation meets the art of writing. Heather Hoover shows how 7 virtues—including curiosity, attentiveness, relatability, open-mindedness, and generosity—inform the writing process and can help students become more effective writers. She invites writers of all skill levels to make meaningful contributions with their writing.

This short, accessible, and instructive book offers a reflective method for college-level writing and will also work well in classical school, high school, and homeschool contexts. It demystifies the writing process and helps students understand why their writing matters. It will also energize teachers of writing and provides helpful sample assignments.

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  • Explores what happens when the art of conversation meets the art of writing
  • Helps students understand why their writing matters
  • Offers a reflective method for effective writing
  • Introduction: Composition as Conversation
  • 1. Be Curious
  • 2. Be Attentive
  • 3. Be Relatable
  • 4. Be on Topic
  • 5. Be Engaging
  • 6. Be Open-Minded
  • 7. Be Generous
  • Conclusion: Stay in Conversation
  • Appendix 1: Sample Call for Papers
  • Appendix 2: Research Proposal Template
  • Appendix 3: Annotated Bibliography Guide
  • Appendix 4: Peer Review Interview and Peer Review Guide
  • Appendix 5: Research Essay Guided Revision
  • Appendix 6: Revision Workshop Template
  • Appendix 7: Conversation Extension Plan
  • Appendix 8: Sample Conference Panel
  • Appendix 9: Conference Response Sheet
  • Appendix 10: Ongoing Research Assignment
Hoover's straightforward, accessible approach encourages students to craft their own writing processes by choosing topics that interest them, being actively curious, and listening to others who are also interested (as opposed merely to 'waiting to talk' themselves). Drawing on insights from Henry David Thoreau to Jean Rhys to Joan Chittister to Steven Pinker to The Office, Hoover helps equip students to resist mere noise generated in the age of social media by engaging in academic writing as a living conversation that can produce real change for good in the world. Complete with useful exercises and examples of how to put the method into practice, the text makes a significant contribution to first-year composition pedagogy.

—Jill LeRoy-Frazier, professor of cross-disciplinary studies, East Tennessee State University

Writing well requires certain kinds of human beings to do the writing, and the kinds of human beings who write well only emerge by writing well. Heather Hoover solves this Riddle of the Sphinx not by forsaking writing but by teaching writing, and this book without relent returns us, her readers, to reflect on the dynamic nature and capacities and virtues of those human beings whom we teach. We who teach writing, whether in college classrooms or anywhere else human community happens, do well to heed.

—Nathan P. Gilmour, professor of English, Emmanuel College

An absolute gem of a resource! It's not surprising that Hoover's fresh reframing of composition as conversation transformed the level of student engagement and investment in their writings. Applying the virtues of being curious, attentive, relatable, on topic, engaging, open-minded, and generous to meaningful research, in-class discussions, and academic writing inevitably transferred into their daily lives. In an era where divisive discord dominates the public arena and misinformation saturates the media, our nation needs citizens embracing the critical and creative skills this book encourages faculty to teach. The appendix also offers excellent additional materials to reproduce. As a former university director of writing, I would have loved to have given this valuable resource to any adjunct faculty and teachers of writing preparing their classes! She's a wise sage!

—Linda Lawrence Hunt, emerita director of Whitworth University's Writing Program

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