Bartholomae's "Inventing The University"

Daniel Rivera

Bartholomae's "Inventing The University"


     We have here a scholarly article written by a renown source in the realm of English composition. A frequent publisher in composition journals and Director Composition in the University of Piitsburgh, David Bartholomae provides analysis and discussion on the different challenges young writers face when writing for the University and its many different discourse communities. With so many varied communities students have to rise to write for and as scholars of such, it is no wonder one of the greatest challenges is lack of familiarity of the present discourse. bartholomae also emphasizes, through different examples of "basic writers", the way students rise to adjust their style and write as researchers or scholars, even when they know they are not entirely knowledgeable in the subject. Another challenge he brings to light is that of "appropriation" of style by their teachers, nullifying creativity. Through analysis of different challenges and examples of students' approaches to overcome these challenges, Bartholomae provides pathways for students to improve on their writing.
     Bartholomae encourages the young student, or what he calls the "basic writer", to invent the university and rise to the level of scholarship that his/her audience may be. Through the accolades given to an example writer, he recognizes that although the student knows very little on the subject, he gives a "remarkable performance" in writing. But Bartholomae then proceeds later in the article, to explain the circumstances that must be met in order for a student to truly attempt to manipulate their audience. Yet, the example of the writer who shares his perception of creativity, "defines himself a researcher" and speaks "with an impressive air of authority", truly gives much to learn from. One of the things that Bartholomae states is that the student attempts to switch role of student-teacher around, but to take the role whose authority is based on scholarship and years of knowledge is truly a difficult thing. Students, in their attempt of this are likely to give out "slips" or "breaks", faults in the assuming of this role that they are not quite yet suited to be. However, it is the process of this, years of placing oneself into a scholarly role, that eventually gives way to the development of a true authority based on experience. It is up to the "basic writer" to take the initiative and the challenge at hand and strive for scholarship in their writing.
     Another thing that is very important as Bartholomae points out, is the freedom a student should be allowed, or rather, the restrictions they sometimes write under, by what he calls "appropriation". He describes the latter as to not be appropriated by the teacher's intent or subjective product expected from the student, but rather for the student to "appropriate" the special discourses they will write for. This again, encourages the young writer to take initiative and truly understand, or submerge oneself into whatever discourse community he or she is writing for. Bartholomae points out that the greatest "failure of teachers" is to not give their students the opportunity to be involved in "scholarly projects...that would allow them to act as though they were colleagues in an academic enterprise". This he explains, is truly not in teacher's hands, but further beyond into our colleges and universities, curriculum designers who soeak of writing as only a "tool to be used by an educated mind".
     The ability for students to demistify the process of writing, and the encouragement to think, to argue, to describe and to define, are essential for "basic writers" to face the challenges of writing for the university, and as Bartholomae states, to invent the university.