David Bartholomae

David Bartholomae is an American scholar and professor emeritus of English at the University of Pittsburgh, known for his influential work in composition theory and pedagogy. His research and writings have significantly shaped how writing is taught in universities across the United States. Bartholomae's most cited work is his 1986 essay "Inventing the University," which examines how students learn to adopt academic discourse and writing conventions. His concept of "basic writers" and their struggles to enter academic discourse communities has become foundational in composition studies. As a former president of the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC), Bartholomae helped establish key theoretical frameworks for understanding student writing development. His collaboration with Anthony Petrosky resulted in the widely used textbook "Ways of Reading," which has gone through multiple editions since its first publication in 1987. Bartholomae's contributions to the field earned him the CCCC Exemplar Award and the ADE Francis Andrew March Award. His work continues to influence discussions about academic literacy, student writing, and pedagogical approaches in higher education.

Readers view Bartholomae's academic writing as theoretical and dense, requiring multiple readings to grasp his arguments. Teachers and writing instructors make up the majority of his audience. Positive reviews cite his influential "Inventing the University" essay for naming the challenges students face when writing for academia. Readers appreciate his detailed analysis of student writing samples and practical teaching insights. Common criticisms focus on his complex academic language and abstract concepts that can be difficult to follow. Some readers note his work feels dated and question if his observations still apply to modern students. His most-discussed text "Ways of Reading" (co-authored with Anthony Petrosky) averages 3.2/5 stars on Goodreads from 92 reviews and 3.5/5 on Amazon from 127 reviews. Student reviewers frequently comment that the anthology's readings are overly difficult and the questions feel repetitive. Instructor reviews tend to be more positive but note the text requires significant scaffolding for undergraduate students.

Ways with Words: An Introduction to Composition (1983) A textbook focused on teaching college-level writing through analysis of academic discourse and student writing samples.

Writing on the Margins: Essays on Composition and Teaching (2005) A collection of essays examining composition theory, institutional politics, and teaching practices in university writing programs.

Facts, Artifacts and Counterfacts: Theory and Method for a Reading and Writing Course (1986) A detailed description of a basic writing course design, including theoretical framework and practical classroom applications.

The Teaching of Writing: Eighty-fifth Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education (1986) An edited volume exploring various approaches to writing instruction in educational settings.

Reading the Lives of Others: A Sequence for Writers (1994) A writing textbook that uses biographical and autobiographical texts to teach analytical and compositional skills.

Resources for Teaching Ways with Words (1983) A companion guide for instructors using the Ways with Words textbook, providing teaching strategies and classroom activities.