I found Chapter 2, “Rhetoric and Composition”, of Janice Lauer’s book English Studies to be quite fascinating. In the current day and age, the connection between rhetoric and the study of English literature are very closely tied, so it amazes me that this bond was formed only a few decades ago. As an English teacher, I find the connection between rhetoric and English studies to be vital both in developing critical thinking skills necessary for life as well as well as analyzing literature at a more critical level. As Lauer points out, studying English without rhetoric leaves out the many external and internal factors that influence one’s writing such as culture and investigating the author’s purpose. After all, no work of literature is ever conceived in a vacuum. Similarly, English studies, while considered a singular discipline, is inseparable from almost every other subject. Notably, philosophy, sociology, history, and so on add many layers to what would otherwise be a basic study of grammatical rules.

On the college level rhetoric and composition have seemingly exploded in popularity as Lauer points out, with countless courses focusing on developing each student’s voice and tactics in regard to forming effective arguments. However, an emphasis on rhetoric and composition in English classes has expanded beyond merely the bounds of higher education. In my personal experience, modern middle and high school ELA courses have a far greater focus on critical thinking, determining the author’s purpose and audience, inclusion of multiple disciplines, inclusivity in regard to studying works from a variety of cultures, and–overall–allowing each writer to express his/her personal opinions and voice than they did when I was a middle and high school student myself. This is an excellent step forward and yet I do fear that it presents a few minor problems that must be dealt with. Firstly, we should be cautious not to place too great an emphasis on these higher levels of thought before students are ready. It is great for students to be encouraged to think critically at a young age, but placing too much emphasis on this may prove to do the opposite. Secondly, students must learn the basics, however monotonous they may be, before they can tackle higher concepts. On this front, I disagree with Lauer who suggests that direct grammar instruction should be eliminated and replaced by individualized instruction. While this is a great idea, I find it be far-fetched given that teachers do not have adequate time and resources to allow for such instruction to be effective. Ultimately, students must learn the rules before they can attempt breaking them, and the simplest way to do so is with direct grammar instruction at a young age. Once this is achieved, than students can begin tackling the higher concepts of rhetoric and composition (which they will, no doubt, already have some familiarity with given their exposure to so many forms of media).

Lauer finishes Chapter 2 by explaining rhetoric’s current place in education and where it is likely to head in the future. I agree whole heartedly that this area of study will continue to expand and grow in popularity, especially in the current age of information where the average person has a much broader perspective on the world than they did only a decade ago. As time progresses, studies related to culture, gender, reader-response, etc. will remain relevant and seep out of the realms of higher education and into high school classrooms. These approaches will hopefully allow for new ideas to be shared at a greater rate and encourage students to develop a broader perspective on the world and its inhabitants.

Hello, my name is Max Beaton. I would have been able to write this brief introduction much sooner but, unfortunately, I had the text color set to “black” and could not figure out why I couldn’t see anything that I was typing. At any rate, the past is the past so here it goes:

The most important thing to know about me is that I love reading and writing as both of these activities have followed me throughout my life and provided me with the ability to dream and create. However, I have found that the actual act of writing only makes up a small portion of what it means to be a writer. A writer, to me, is someone who not only shares the subjective lens from which they view the world via their writing, but who is constantly placing themself in new (often uncomfortable) situations in order to absorb as much real-world experience as possible. I have taken this philosophy with me throughout my life and it–in turn–has done the same.

I was raised primarily by my father’s side of the family (my paternal grandparents, my dad, and my brother) who are of Cuban descent, so that culture colored my perspective growing up. I was lucky to have a great family that I was very close with–particularly my brother–and we remain that way. When I was in high school my brother joined the Army National Guard and I thought that sounded pretty cool, so a few months later I did the same once I turned 17. I enlisted as a combat medic and served six years in an artillery unit. While we never deployed overseas over the course of my contract, I served on active-duty orders throughout the COVID pandemic at various nursing homes and testing sites which was a memorable experience to say the least.

Outside of the military, I volunteered and worked as an EMT for a long time and met practically all of my closest friends in this line of employment. More recently, in 2022 I became a firefighter after a good friend suggested that we both give it a try. So far, the fire department has been a very interesting experience for me, and I look forward to seeing where it takes me.

To make a long story short, I have involved myself in some interesting organizations over the years. These jobs have provided me with knowledge of fields that I never would have dreamed of being involved in when I was a kid and opened up many doors. Perhaps best of all, they introduced me to some of the funniest, strangest, and most intelligent people I have ever met (as well as the reverse side of the coin). I hope that graduate school proves to be another such door.