Exciting! Secret! Thoughts!

I find I was reminded of some instances in the writing center that I found puzzling while reading the section on rhetoric…I have been struck by the unfortunate fact (if I may grossly generalize) that the logical progression of subject and a rational presentation of facts is often sadly absent in many composition papers.  Not so, however, for the typical introductory philosophy paper.  In fact, I have been rather surprised by their organization and support. Though the groups of freshman are similar to those in comp classes and have had similar amounts of time to learn, these seem to have progressed more rapidly, or ‘gotten it’ as it were.Meaning no disrespect to my chosen (and beloved) field of literature, I begin to wonder if placing the responsibility of freshman composition solely on the English Department is to deny the value of such skills that would be more self-consciously in the realm of philosophy or logic. For, surely, it is not our intention that the 3-5 page papers should be Moby Dick or Paradise Lost. So, why should the persons specializing in the analysis of such texts be held responsible for the creation of arguably non-creative, argument driven papers? (Oh, but wait, maybe such goals are exactly the purpose for those in rhet/comp…must not forget that there are other aspects to the English dept. than my own…)From my limited knowledge of the study of rhetoric, it seems it would offer students a foundation in logic which, I believe, would have been immensely helpful in improving the papers I have read.  I am highly interested to see what sorts of assignments and readings the book Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students has to offer and I shall continue to kick myself that I wasn’t more prompt in my textbook selection.