Inventing the University

In many ways I think that some of the points that Bartholomae makes in "Inventing the University" make sense. It makes sense that students should make attempts to engage and write in the way that the field that they will be entering writes. Practicing in college and gaining some insight on it, so that when thrust into the real world people will not be at a severe disadvantage. Though in my opinion, Bartholomae puts to much emphasis on strictly adhering to the rules of academic discourse.

Writing especially always has room for innovation and personal growth. No matter what type of writing a person is doing there is always a place for improvement. There isn't just one way to write something. I think the context of the piece is of particular interest with this as well being as it is all about first year writing students. This emphasis on students only following and emulating models given to them by their instructors might lead them to be better able to write like those in their field but could also be stifling and restrictive. They are just starting out and this approach may lead them to disliking writing since they have to follow exactly what others are doing.

In my own learning experience and the reason that my interests gravitated towards writing was the freedom that it gave me. Sure there were also certain guidelines and examples that served as starting points for many of the pieces that I have done over the years but I have never been forced into trying to emulate them. I have always been given choice and I think that had I been made to copy the language and form of another then I would have not been nearly as happy with writing. I would find it difficult to see it as my own.