Lost in the Woods: Teaching Composition Theory

I chose to use Robert Fulkerson's "Four Philosophies of Composition" to analyze my textbook, Problem Solving Strategies for Writing by Linda Flower.
There are several statements in the preface which describe the type of instruction being attempted by the author of this book. Flower acknowledges several times the importance of writing for the academic "community" and the student joining this ongoing conversation which seems to suggest the rhetorical function. I think this is probably the most solidly explored of Fulkerson's four theories, though even this is only discussed in two chapters.
Another chapter draws on the mimetic theory by touching on the importance of research, yet this is only a brief diversion at the very end of the book. There is another section earlier in the book which focuses on the expressive by showing the student how to "construct their own internal, mental representations of meaning". These two things seem at odds with one another when viewed even equally, and given the fact that the research element isn't even brought up until so far in the text, it underscores the division of approaches.
The formalist theory is barely brought up at all. In fact, the only nod to the actual mechanics of writing (which so many composition students struggle with) is in the 5th Chapter, which "shows students how to look at language".
It seems that this book does have a general emphasis, and that is Fulkerson's rhetorical theory. However, it seems that the information and approaches are presented in such a convoluted fashion, as to only contribute to the "mindlessness" which Fulkerson so despaired over.