Making composition history: Fred Newton Scott

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1992
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McKinney, Gary
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English

The Department of English seeks to provide all university students with the skills of effective communication and critical thinking, as well as imparting knowledge of literature, creative writing, linguistics, speech and technical communication to students within and outside of the department.

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The Department of English and Speech was formed in 1939 from the merger of the Department of English and the Department of Public Speaking. In 1971 its name changed to the Department of English.

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1939-present

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  • Department of English and Speech (1939-1971)

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English
Abstract

In 1977, Donald Stewart conducted a survey of literature history and rhetoric and composition history knowledge at an NCTE convention in New York City. Since the respondents were reputable instructors who spent almost half their time teaching composition, Stewart was surprised at the results. On the section that tested knowledge of literature history, the high score was 92.5; the low score was 27.5; the average score, 67; mean score, 72.5. Stewart adds, "14 people scored in the 80's, four in the 90's". This essay is about Fred Newton Scott, and I begin by wondering how different--if any-the results would be fifteen years later. Unable to replicate Stewart's survey, I pose to the reader a series of questions similar in nature: How much do you know about composition history? For example, can you tell the story of current traditional rhetoric, a catch-phrase of our day?

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Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 1992