Considers the role of the visiting writer in encouraging and supplying useful writing advice to student writers. Proposes some principles for the art of writing that writers offer composition students, especially related to the art of writing over its craft. (HB)

Discusses the findings of an extensive research study of the authors and writing most frequently assigned in college-level English survey courses. Finds that similar historical periods and authors are considered in the survey courses offered by college and university English departments. Finds that traditional authors continue to be taught in…

Describes the difficulties of defining basic writers and basic writing. Argues that Michel Foucault's concept of the "author function" is applicable to academic and literary discourse and shows how it serves to organize curriculum and define the object of study in English departments. (HB)

Reform in English studies is compromised by our tendency to talk like dilettantes, but behave like philologists. (JH)

Noting that women authors are still underrepresented and females are often stereotyped, these guidelines, prepared by the National Council of Teachers of English Committee on Women in the Profession, urge all English Departments to integrate literature by and about women into the curriculum. The guidelines discuss why balancing the curriculum…