Krian i förvandling : uppsatsämnen och skrivanvisningar för läroverkets svenska uppsatsskrivning

Sammanfattning: This dissertation is about the goals that existed for Swedish essay writing in grammar schools from the start of the nineteenth century to the 1960s. The point of departure is the contrast between the negative image often painted of this essay writing and the positive picture painted of writing tuition before this period (classical rhetoric) and after it (process-oriented writing with the emphasis on genres outside the world of school). My aim is to study whether there are similarities to the earlier and later ideals during the grammar-school era.The material used consists of curricula, essay topics from the final examination, and textbooks on essay writing. On a number of points the analysis reveals an aspiration for extensive and varied training in writing, and shows that the ideals display a large measure of continuity. These ideals concern both the set essay topics and the instructions for writing presented in curricula and textbooks. The essay topics were largely linked to the specialist subjects taught in grammar school. Within this main category, however, a series of different essay types were distinguished. Throughout the period letter writing was recommended, and certain other genres occur which have clear counterparts outside school. To a large extent the instructions concern correct language and style. Right up to the end of the period, however, we find textbooks stating instructions for topic analysis, collection of material, and disposition, that is to say, the stages in the rhetorical process.