Suggests that educators have overemphasized the distinction between basic writers and academic culture while failing to underscore common ground between the two. Discusses the use of transportation and in-group metaphors that highlight differences between the groups. Identifies journalistic reading and positive high school writing experience as…

Traces the uses of the "urban mission" trope both nationally and locally as it pertains to the history of the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Educational Assistance Program. Maintains that educational histories are important because they explain how political dynamics determine who will be basic writers and how many will appear…