This review examines Susan Miller's Norton Book of Composition Studies in the context of the undergraduate writing major. Miller's anthology provides a thorough snapshot of the field of composition, representing the impressive scope of composition studies with 101 unabridged works of composition history, research, theory, and practice. Although this anthology was compiled to support instruction in both undergraduate and graduate classes, the reviewers suggest that undergraduates and some graduate students may require more contextual information about the collected works to better understand the major themes, issues, struggles, and successes of the field.

Addresses past and current issues concerning teacher response to first-year student writing and suggests that teacher intervention should be viewed as a writing process itself. Describes the author’s own process of responding to student writing, which he hasfound to be very effective. Concludes that individual teachers must decide for themselves what ways of responding best suit their teaching styles.