Rhet/Comp - No writing sample in my subfield

[FeetInTheSky]

Evening!

I'm currently revisiting my undergraduate papers for submission for Ph.D programs in rhetoric and composition. The trouble is, I have never taken a class in Rhetoric and Composition. I didn't know that Rhetoric and Composition was even a field until six months ago. As such, I'm moderately wigged out about having no writing samples in the subfield. I have plenty of English papers (some of them are even good!), but they all take a lit-crit approach. My question is whether any of y'all know if it's a cardinal sin to not have any written material in Rhet/Comp when applying for Rhet/Comp. Basically, should I start a paper in this subfield now (even though I don't feel too qualified to do so without taking any coursework), or should I hope that my statement of purpose will effectively demonstrate my willingness to participate in conversations within the field? 

Your reading of this is greatly appreciated. Here's a picture of a turtle in a reindeer costume, because why not?

 

Edited July 26, 2016 by JeremyWrites

[klader]

Before I get to your question, I'd like to mention that, typically, people in rhet/comp earn the MA first and then apply for the PhD. Some schools have joint MA/PhD programs, but most of the ones I've looked at explicitly say you need an MA to apply for the PhD. I'm bringing this up because I think it makes a difference in the kind of writing sample you'd need. MA programs would probably accept less rhet/comp-focused papers whereas PhD programs would most likely be looking for them (or for papers within the general realm of rhet/comp). (This is, of course, assuming that you're applying straight from undergrad. Please ignore this part if you're actually applying with an MA in hand).

My writing sample (for MA rhet/comp programs) took a rhetorical approach and was about rhetoric, but I was also applying while finishing up an undergraduate rhet/comp degree, which I don't think is very common. A lot of people cross over to rhet/comp from literature/professional or technical writing/etc., so I would imagine that adcoms understand this (if not expect this to a certain degree).

I've always been told that it's more important to have a writing sample that demonstrates your best critical thinking, ability to do research, and writing technique. These are the kinds of things that are valued in both literature and rhet/comp programs, and if your personal statement addresses why you want to go into rhet/comp, then I think that paired with an excellent writing sample would be a good strategy. You don't want to submit something less than stellar, after all, even if it is tailored more to your subfield.

If you're still feeling a bit nervous, though, perhaps you could rework your papers a bit and take a more rhetorical approach? Maybe analyze things through a different lens? Address audience, ethos, etc?

Rhet/comp is interdisciplinary in nature and is still growing as a field, so I don't think there's really one concrete answer on this. I think it certainly helps if you know things about the field and can demonstrate that you can analyze things in the way that scholars in this field do, but I'm not sure if it's *completely* necessary.

Hopefully others with more experience can chime in here!

PS - That picture is adorable!

[rhetoricus aesalon]

Cardinal sin? Absolutely not! 10 years ago, just about no one was writing rhet/comp writing samples. My understanding is it's not generally an expectation of adcoms, even in the current climate of proliferation of rhet/comp programs.

But I sense that tides are changing and even if expectations haven't caught up with reality, you should know that now it is not uncommon for a substantial amount of other applicants to have writing samples in rhet/comp, especially for the more prestigious institutions. Everyone I knew and met during my application seasons (both MA and PhD) could speak to their specific interest within rhet/comp from taking multiple courses in the field, and this leads me to believe they also had strong writing samples. You should expect to be competing for spots alongside students who have very clearly-articulated interests within rhet/comp and writing samples that show they are familiar with the literature pertaining to conversations and studying within that subfield. 

This doesn't mean that your materials don't do this -- they very well may! All this is to say that while a number of years ago the idea of a newly-found interest in rhet/comp was the norm, I feel like it is not something you really want to convey in your application materials anymore.

[rhetoricus aesalon]

Also, I give that picture TWO flippers up!  #dadjokes