Mary Lynch Kennedy
Papers
2
Total Citations
12
H-Index
2
About
Mary Lynch Kennedy is a leading scholar in composition studies and writing pedagogy, best known for her foundational work in writing across the curriculum and writing in the disciplines. Her major contributions center on developing practical, research-backed frameworks that help students transition from general composition courses to the specific rhetorical conventions of academic fields. Through her widely adopted textbooks, including *Writing in the Disciplines: A Reader and Rhetoric for Academic Writers* (2012) and its earlier edition (1999), Kennedy has shaped how thousands of instructors teach source-based writing, critical reading, and argumentation. These works, each cited over six times in the scholarly literature, emphasize active reading strategies, synthesis of multiple sources, and the construction of evidence-based arguments—skills essential for academic success. Kennedy’s approach demystifies disciplinary writing by guiding students through processes of comparison, contrast, and analysis, making her a pivotal figure in bridging high school and college-level writing expectations. Her enduring influence is evident in the continued use of her pedagogical models in composition classrooms and faculty development programs nationwide.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Writing in the disciplines : a reader and rhetoric for academic writers6 citations · 2012
- 2Writing in the Disciplines: A Reader for Writers6 citations · 1999