[1] During his undergraduate years at Utah State University, Winterowd showed an early interest in literature and rhetoric, which shaped his future academic focus.
His work highlighted the shift within English departments from classical studies to modern focuses, such as rhetoric and composition, positioning him as a pivotal figure in the development of these disciplines.
Winterowd proposed that textual relationships such as coordinate, obversative, and sequential transitions function as a grammar of discourse, extending principles of syntax to broader rhetorical contexts.
He advocated for sentence-combining exercises as a means to cultivate rhetorical effectiveness, showcasing his commitment to teaching approaches that integrate theoretical insights with tangible learning strategies.
[13] His exploration of coherence in multimodal contexts further reflects the adaptability of his principles, aligning traditional literacy frameworks with contemporary digital modes of communication.
[14][15] Through his numerous publications and teaching innovations, Winterowd shaped composition studies by combining rigorous theoretical frameworks with pragmatic pedagogical methods, leaving a lasting impact on the field.