Corbett, Edward P. J. "Teaching Composition: Where We've Been and Where We're Going." CCC 38.4 (1987): 444-452.

Abstract:

This is the second personal perspective essays published in CCC, and in it, Corbett surveys the direction the field has gone during his academic career. He points at the enhanced professionalism of compositionists, the growth of the graduate programs, the increase in published books on the history, practice, and theory of composition, special conferences in specific sub-topics in the field, and the growth of new journals and new research practices to report in those journals. He also details the changes he's seen in the teaching of composition, specifically more attention paid to technical and business writing, writing across the curriculum initiatives, English as a second language, the development of cognitive skills in students, and the writing process. He warns teachers, though, that they must constantly evaluate how they teach to make sure they are doing everything possible to help their students be better writers.