Concepts and Choices

Abstract

Concepts and Choices is a new approach to teaching writing, one that incorporates recognized concepts and techniques with some neglected ones and some entirely new ones. The assumption is made that extensive practice without attending to such concepts provides nothing more for students than the opportunity for frequent repetition of error. Therefore, this book calls for smaller, manageable units of instruction. In addition, the so-called "process" model of writing used extensively by teachers today has emphasized the "discovery" of arguments (neglecting almost entirely descriptive/narrative writing) at the expense of more important elements, including the quality of content. Writing is a complex activity that cannot be reduced to an analogy in which it is compared to an assembly line at a factory. Good writing indeed requires a rigorous apprenticeship, one that goes beyond a few hours a day in a classroom. This book attempts to provide a guide to good writing.