Upsetting composition commonplaces /

Barnard (Chapman Univ.; Queer Race, 2004) has established a reputation for questioning common assumptions in the dominant culture and in the academy. In the present title, he challenges current composition pedagogy. He employs post-structuralist theory to challenge standard pedagogical practices. Each chapter is devoted to a single commonplace, including hallowed concepts such as clarity, audience, voice, and objectivity. Barnard's intended readers (specifically, composition instructors, writing program directors, and those who teach composition theory and pedagogy) may not be as invested in post-structuralist tenets as he. And application of some of his suggestions may be problematic because many composition instructors are not free to teach whatever or however they choose and are expected to reinforce ideology of the dominant culture to some degree. That aside, each chapter is carefully reasoned, and the author even mentions the disadvantages of his own approach. Though unlikely to instigate widespread change, Barnard's arguments--especially that concerning conflation of hegemony with universality--are logical and well worth consideration. Versions of several chapters were previously published in scholarly journals. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty. --Catherine Erin O'Neill Armendarez, New Mexico State University at Alamogordo