Neel, Jasper Rhet & Comp Intellectual Work

Neel, Jasper. “Reclaiming our Theoretical Heritage” Rhetoric and composition as intellectual work. Olson, Gary A., ed. Carbondale:
Southern. Illinois UP, 2002.
Praxis
1 : action, practice: as a : exercise or practice of an art, science, or skill b : customary practice or conduct
2 : practical application of a theory
“It is an intractable conundrum, the theory versus praxis split—more intractable and more confusing in rhetoric and composition than in most other disciplines because contemporary rhet/comp grew from the classroom” (3).
“Composition becomes mature, however, able to sustain itself, when it constantly scrutinizes its theoretical underpinnings” (9).
“Rhetoric and composition as a field exists in the North American university. The North American university is perhaps the most theory driven, theory conscious situation in human history. It would be naïve to retreat from theory, and it would be exceedingly selfish, because the only faculty who truly have the option of doing so already have tenure and have already passed through the process of find a voice with which to speak” (10).
“By 1950, we had lost our theory of being. . . .we can continue to abandon theory, and wait for the composition equivalent of cable television, McDonald’s, and interstatate highways across the tundra. Or . . . we can try to reclaim our theoretical heritage, remaking it for a new time” (11).

“rhetoric and composition can sacrifice itself on the alter of the Romantic ego. But before we do, we had better read Wordsworth and Coleridge carefully to make sure we are willing to sit in the center of the pedagogical ego supported only by those theories that we intentionally blind ourselves to” (11).
“Theory forces one to interrogate one’s position. Ignorance of theory blinds one to the knowledge that changing one’s position changes what one sees and how one sees it” (11).