James A. Berlin's paper, "Contemporary Composition:The Major Pedagogical Theories", was a complete change from Kinneavy's confounding one. It was refreshing to read Berlin's systematic approach to explaining and exploring the four different groups of theories that he lays out. I also enjoyed that he lay his agenda, promoting the New Rhetorician approach to teaching writing, right out in his introduction. Even with this agenda clearly stated, Berlin proceeded to fully divulge into the other three groups as thoroughly as he did the New Rhetoricians.
As one who has little to no background information about the history of composition (A Brief History of Rhetoric and Composition is next on my reading list), I found his information extremely informative, as well as interesting and pertinent. What really made the most impact with me was his very last line about teachers knowing which approach they are taking to writing , AND being able to justify- to themselves as well as their students- why they had made that specific choice. This is certainly something I will reflect on when it is my time to teach.
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