Seeking Connection: An English Educator Speaks across a Disciplinary Contact Zone

Two separate listserv conversations between English educators (EE) and university faculty prepared in rhetoric and composition (RC) revealed an obvious split between theory (research and philosophy), which was most associated with rhetoric and composition, and practice (teaching), associated more with the English Education field. This split has led to disciplinary prejudice between EE and RC professionals. In an effort to build bridges, Alsup analyzes the exchanges that occurred on the two listservs, describes the current nature of the EE/RC split as evidenced in these conversations, and suggests ways to narrow the gap to allow for more cooperative research, teaching, and writing.