Many textbooks for first-year college students take a “here’s how” approach to writing outlines, developing thesis statements, and citing sources. The authors of Habits of the Creative Mind begin with a much different premise. They believe that the focus should be on “nurturing curiosity, creativity, and the other allied habits of mind that define a richer, fuller engagement with the world, its challenges, and its beauty.” This approach aligns with the Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing, a document jointly produced by the three most respected organizations for writing instructors. This shift – from writing techniques to thinking techniques – intrigues me.
Richard E. Miller and Ann Jurecic, Habits of the Creative Mind (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016), v.