"Composition as Conversation" (Heather M. Hoover)

TITLE: Composition as Conversation: Seven Virtues for Effective Writing
AUTHOR: Heather M. Hoover
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023, (176 pages).
 

In general, there are four ways in which we can communicate. We can read and write. We can also hear and speak. All of these ways help us to better comprehend and converse with others. However, academic writing is a different beast altogether. It can be dry or downright boring. As the author points out: "academic writing should cultivate lively discussion and promote critical and creative thinking." How do we do that? Author-Professor Heather Hoover poses this to her students, whose feedback led to this book. The purpose is to utilize the power of words to inspire others. She highlights seven ways in which writing leads to "conversational virtues." She begins with the basic task to "Be Curious" by asking appropriate questions. These questions are often open-ended and need to demonstrate a genuine desire to want to connect with others. Asking good questions can help but its effectiveness can be limited. It requires a kind of asking that shows forth a genuine interest to hear the responses. Such a task requires some level of "humility, risk, and commitment." She lists various ways to help us build our vocabulary of interesting questions. The second virtue is that of attentiveness. She points out the difference between writing for writing's sake versus writing for others' sake. Typically, people tend to want to hear themselves instead of others. This is especially so the moment one asks a question out of curiosity. Maintain that attitude after asking by attentive listening. Some of these methods include the use of citations to involve the voices of others in academic writing. This needs to be done carefully and respectfully, taking care not to misrepresent the other point of view. Another way is to write humbly by admitting that we do not have all the answers. This opens up the topic for creative and constructive interaction. How we deal with biases, dissenting voices, and emotionally charged discussions will reflect our love for others. Showing love for others is better than being right without friends. The third virtue mentioned is being relatable. That means using accessible language easily understood as well as contextualization. Some other related skills include a way of introduction to help readers get into the topic with ease. The all-important thesis statement needs to be clear and concise. The fourth virtue is to be on topic, which includes not writing something out of point. A key point to remember is to avoid any form of overconfidence. She gives a simple assignment for students to stay on point. Once we create the outline, we are better able to stay on track. Conclusions provide a good opportunity to summarize and restate the main point. The fifth virtue of being engaged is slightly more challenging. This requires not only a grasp of the most concise words to use but also words that would inspire deeper understanding. Precision and depth come before sophistication and pompous words. Even the area of research needs to be well considered. How does one incorporate research material in such a way as to invite further conversation? How does one condense a complex problem into a readily understood statement? She encourages us to write drafts without worrying about their imperfections. It is the revision that is more important. She also gives us the 3Ts (Time, Total concentration, "Trail of crumbs") to make our writing more engaging. Six, she tells us to be open-minded. This includes respecting other viewpoints without dumbing them down; avoiding intellectual arrogance; separating ego from intellect; and the willingness to revise one's draft, even one's position. Finally, she ends with a call for writers to be generous in their writing. Generous in the sense of enlarging the room for further discussion. This can be done via open-ended questions and paths for further conversation. Even the listing of the bibliography can be generously inclusive of alternative views. 

My Thoughts

Intrigue. Impressed. Inspired. These three words come to mind when I read this marvelous book. Firstly, I am intrigued by the unique angle the author has taken to deal with academic writing. I have written many academic papers before and have followed religiously the need for a clear thesis statement, a concise framework, adequate research, and relevant bibliography. Sometimes, writing academic papers can be dry and uninteresting. Many laypeople get easily turned off the moment the word "academic" appears. If one can incorporate the virtues mentioned in this book into academic writing, it will certainly address some of these presumptions of academic monotony. I appreciate the way Hooever describes the reasons for the bibliography section. Some professors merely assumed we know the reasons for insisting on a list of citations. Students might also assume that a bibliography is a mere formality, when it is much more than that. Hoover explains it so well that if professors could do the same, students might pay more attention to building up a respectable bibliography more diligently and graciously. 

Second, I am impressed with the way Hoover has also incorporated her virtues into this book itself. For instance, many of the ideas and feedback are from her students themselves. Instead of questioning or trying to create her own ideas, she takes these ideas, credits them, and expands them generously for the benefit of others. She states clearly right from the start that this book is about helping others, and the content is clear evidence of that. Each virtue is built up from the previous one. This helps readers to build upon what they have learned in the previous chapter. That is relatable. Having said that, it is also important to remember that academic writing is often to a specialized audience. If one attempts to write in order to please everybody, it will be mere folly. We should try to write virtuously as much as possible, but also recognize the limits we face from time to time. Whether the end result is virtuous or not is not the key thing. Becoming more virtuous in our thoughts and actions are definitely more important.

Third, I am inspired to incorporate these virtues not just in academic writing but in all forms of writing. They serve as reminders to let my writing exhibit a love for others in the Name of Jesus. Good writing is re-writing. Great writing covers depth with simplicity. Gracious writing is to write virtuously. Hoover checks all these boxes which is why I am more than happy to recommend this book for writers, both academic and non-academic. 

How do we write better? Taking a class might help. Just writing more frequently also helps. Learning and being mentored will surely raise one's writing prowess to a whole new level. This book is that resource to write and keep on writing because the conversation is exactly that. When one's work sparks off conversational moments, it would have made any writer's day, let alone good publicity.

Heather M. Hoover (PhD, University of Tennessee) is professor of English and composition at Milligan University, where she developed the writing program and has directed it for fifteen years. She also directs the Master of Arts in Humanities and is the George and Janet Arnold Chair of the Humanities. She lives in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.