Joel Haefner

The Politics of the Code

This article explores the software behind the interface of the programs we use in composition classrooms—the principles of Structured Programming (SP), file structure, and some other significant issues in programming—and places the production of software in a cultural context. Programming protocol is shaped by two major strands: the profit imperative and the hierarchical structure of corporate America. The assumptions and procedures of Structured Programming are critiqued, and hypertext, structured programming, and natural-language writing are compared. This article suggests that writing instructors think about ways to customize programs used in their composition classes and to understand the implications and limitations of the necromancy of software.

On First Seeing a Copy of Keats's Life-Mask

At the opening of Writing without Teachers, Peter Elbow pinpoints the Scylla and Charybdis of inclass freewriting exercises: unfocused, unfettered writing sessions can produce a vacuum and garbage. Elbow, of course, saw the strengths in this and advised students not to worry about it. Unfortunately, many of mine have, and they continued to be frustrated and irritated every time I asked them simply to write for ten or fifteen minutes. Like many other writing instructors, I realized that my students did best when they were