Nan Noteboom

Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

1996

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department / School

English

Abstract

This thesis examines the gap that exists between senior English and college freshman composition. It specifically addresses the needs of rural high school students, and the limitations faced by rural senior English teachers in preparing such students for college-level writing. The study is based on my own experiences teaching senior English at a rural high school and teaching freshman composition at South Dakota State University. A survey was administered to teachers at both levels to determine what is being taught, and what dialogue exists between those two levels. The study found that very little dialogue exists, and that many senior English teachers are making uninformed curricular decisions because of this. The final chapter discusses the need for ongoing dialogue and implications of unprepared students for freshman composition instructors, and offers solutions to the problem of poorly prepared first-year college writers: school-university collaboration and a registry of freshman composition instructors accessible to high school teachers. Both levels are urged to communicate with each other in order to best prepare students for freshman composition.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

English language -- Composition and exercises -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Dakota English language -- Composition and exercises -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Dakota English language -- Grammar -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Dakota English language -- Grammar -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Dakota

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

102

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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