Introduction: How Did We Get Here?

Composition studies is the recognition that writing is an important aspect of education. I found it interesting that composition studies had to shift when the education system welcomed international and GI students into their schools after WWII, and again when they welcomed women, and again when they welcomed adult, lower-income, and minority students after the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

I wonder how students were taught writing before there were textbooks to aid them. I also wonder how teachers were taught to teach writing before textbooks also, because a lot of times, teachers use textbooks for themselves as well.

I find it interesting that women dominate the field of composition studies and I wonder why that is. I wouldn't think that composition studies is seen as an "inferior" field that men wouldn't want to be associated with.