I think theory is important for our academic work. It helps situate our position of argument within a field and often lends importance to our own discourse.
Theory also makes itself important in composition, but the reason for this importance is a personal one I think. Although it is advantageous to understand the discourse of a field in which you work, theory gives teachers and even students an objective way to look at and process classroom dynamics as well as understand practical methods of pedagogy. In part, theory always has its toe stuck in the door of discourse, because without it, teachers, professors, and students stumble on the wreckage of classroom disappointments. Theory provides an objective way to approach the motion of the ever-changing field of discourse.
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Ah theory, the darling of academics. I know what you mean. Theory is important because it gives us a context in which to view a subject, but sometimes I just get so tired of hearing about theory. I want to DO something.
The Ancient Greek rhetorical theorists offered the concept of _praxis_, which applies to what Emily and others have has written about theory. Praxis is the idea of theory brought to bear on practice. In other words, it is applied theory. So instead of offering theory abstractly to students, the better choice would be to bring it in as it applies to what is happening in the classroom or the outside world. Thus, in discussing theories of the social construction of knowledge, one might wait until some moment of classroom collaboration to put for the the theoretical arguments. Likewise, when teaching theory, try to have an activity that reinforces it by showing the theory in action.
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