Lecture Notes: University of Chicago's Writing Program
Overview
University of Chicago's writing program is one of the few in the country that takes a top-down approach rather than a bottom-up approach.
Most writing programs focus on freshman composition; UChicago's focuses primarily on faculty and advanced students.
The program was started in the late 70s/early 80s to help faculty improve their writing, not just students.
Top-Down Approach
Traditional writing instruction often considers writing a basic skill learned early; UChicago challenges this notion.
Instead of setting rules, the program emphasizes thinking about readers and their needs.
Faculty and advanced students are considered "expert writers," meaning they write from a position of expertise in their subject.
Writing to Think
For expert writers, writing and thinking are interconnected processes.
Writing is used to help articulate and develop complex ideas, not just to communicate them.
The approach encourages shifting from rule-governed writing to reader-oriented writing.
Challenges in Expert Writing
Expert writers think in complex, unique ways that may interfere with readability for others, even other experts.
Common issues include readers slowing down, misunderstanding, and eventually stopping reading.
The aim is to make writing clear, organized, persuasive, and most importantly, valuable to the reader.
Value in Writing
Clear, organized, and persuasive writing is necessary but insufficient; the writing must be valuable to its readers.
Academics must be aware that their professional success often hinges on producing valuable writing.
The measure of success is whether readers, who are not paid to read student work, find the writing beneficial.
Overcoming Tunnel Vision
Academic writing often faces the risk of becoming more about the author than the audience.
Effective writing considers the needs and perspectives of readers rather than merely conveying the writer's ideas.
Conveying Value
It's essential to understand the specific value and community each piece of writing addresses.
A practical tip is to analyze published articles in one's field to identify and understand the language of value used.
Community and Codes
Knowledge and writing are often judged by a community of readers, each with its own codes and expectations.
Learning these codes and the specific language of value is crucial for academic success.
Using transition words and concepts that highlight instability, inconsistency, and challenges can help create value.
Common Missteps
Avoid focusing solely on presenting new or original work; prioritize demonstrating value.
Explain only when the problem is established; otherwise, prioritize argumentation and persuasion.
Practical Exercises
Spend time analyzing articles in your field to find words that indicate value and incorporate such words in your writing.
Make note of repeated patterns and language that showcases instability, inconsistency, and challenges.
Writing Structures
Traditional models like the Martini glass model of writing (starting with generalization, moving to a specific thesis, then back to generalization) are less effective than problem-oriented structures.
Introductions should locate problems within specific reading communities to establish relevance and value.
Literature Reviews
The function of a literature review in professional texts is to create value by enhancing the reader's understanding of problems, enriching discussions with complexities and tensions, not just summarizing past work.
Ethical and Personal Risks
Presenting arguments effectively requires understanding and respecting the power dynamics within academic communities.
There's a fine line between conforming to community norms and challenging existing knowledge respectfully.
Final Takeaways
Writing at an advanced academic level is immensely challenging but can be mastered by shifting focus from writing rules to audience needs.
The ultimate goal is to produce work that changes the reader's perspective, not just to convey information.
Contact Information
Larry McEnerney, Director of the Writing Program at UChicago, is available for consultations: [email protected].