To be a millenial compositionist…

As a dreaded “literature” scholar, I certainly ascribe a high value to the importance of words. I by no means, however, feel words need be the only and best way to communicate, especially given the capabilities afforded us by technology. It would be foolish to insist students only be textually literate — at least in the classroom. Yes, the written word is important and I still believe students should have solid verbal/textual skills. But the visual is everywhere. It’s not simply a peripheral component of the world around us — it plays a large part in shaping the world around us. If only for that reason, it’s our obligation to help students become literate visual readers as well as literal textual readers. In doing so, we give them the freedom to approach life with a more critical eye, to ask questions. I don’t think the basis of our philosophical/theoretical education in composition precludes this new understanding of what exactly is composition. It’s been there all along. It’s our duty to find ways to make it relevant to and reenergize it with a slightly different framework.