Student timeline of history of teaching writing pre-1900

1. The History of Composition Instruction Pre – 1900 : Context for a New Century ECI 520 – Spring 2010Scott, Kevin, Amanda

2. 19th Century: A Time of Change Focus on “classical” literature Curriculum consisted of public speech and rhetoric Few professional schools

3. 1862 Merrill Federal Land Grant Helped states set up vocation schools Agricultural and technical Economy was “laissez faire,” but headed towards Capitalism

4. 1890 – 1900 Proliferation of public schools Jump from ~2,500 to ~ 6,000

5. 1900 Turn to study of English texts instead of “classics”

6. 1873 Harvard is first college to use admissions essay Use literature to teach composition

7. Yale Opposes Harvard Ideas Literature should be studied for its own intrinsic value

8. End of 19th Century High school level focuses on writing instruction through literature (Harvard method)