I believe that a new textbook would be a good idea for ENG 110. The new edition of Composing Ourselves does not contain many changes, as far as text is concerned. The largest change I noticed is the use of colored pictures.
However, I do feel that some of the readings in the book are useful. My proposition would be to copy the essays I want my students to read and make them available through course reserves on the library web page. The students could make the copies themselves and it would cost them less than buying a textbook they would read less than 1/4 of. This would also allow me to put other essays on line for them that came from other sources.
I think the textbook The Curious Writer by Bruce Ballenger would be a useful text for students to use next year. It contains many examples of a variety of kinds of student papers. It also provides extensive directions on how to write different kinds of papers, which is something the current book does not contain.
Giving students stories to read can be interesting, and it helps with class discussion. But I actually feel that giving students sample essays to read which relate to their assignment will be the most beneficial in the long run. The Curious Writer would be one such asset.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Your idea about the course reserve readings is advantageous for all concerned, Charity. I find myself making tons of copies of articles that are suitable for ESL students. Another idea is the one used at SIUE where one of my daughters started this semester. She kept waiting for her booklist to publish only to find out that all textbooks are rented only. Evidently, you take your courselist in and they give you the required books. I wish our institution had done that four years ago before I made them rich with my booklists. Of course, I never sold any of my books back - sacrilege!
Several of the essays I use in the class from the Lunsford book can be found in other anthologies. I've seen them listed in several indexes across the board. I DEFINITELY find the Lunsford book lacking in essays which lend themselves to good textual analysis. There has to be a better collection, even if it means finding two textbooks (which are both priced with students in mind)with a good variety in both.
Post a Comment