Short Assignment #4 The writing process is always taught as a set way of doing things when, in fact, it is a process that requires personal methods that work for each individual person. It is a necessary lesson to teach in school but there should not be so much emphasis on following the exact way that is taught. It is a contrived process that was probably created by a group of scholars who didn’t even follow these exact rules. If anything, they all did variations of the ideas and then met in the middle with what should be taught. I am in no way saying that the guidelines are wrong but they need to be exactly that, guidelines, instead of a rut that students get stuck in. When writing the simple 500+ word “Short Assignment 4”, an English 1010 …show more content…
In the book, “Essays on Writing”, Roy Peter Clarke writes an appropriately titled article, “I Won’t Use Writing As A Punishment, I Won’t…” (pg 3). In it, he describes the wrongful assignment of writing that students are required to do as punishment for their actions. I agree with Clarke that this is a terrible practice and teaches kids to hate writing but he doesn’t mention the reason that this is used as a punishment in the first place. It is a cycle of disgust towards the entire idea of writing that begins with students being forced to write under strict rules with the threat of their grades (and in turn, their futures) on the line. This causes them to hate the idea of writing from an early age. Then, since students don’t like writing from based on this reason, teachers believed that it was a good form of punishment. So, instead of redeeming the positivity of writing, teachers just threw it under the bus and are using it as a lesson, however, the only lesson being learned is that writing …show more content…
Do I listen to my teachers and follow their rules or do I totally disregard everything that is being shoved down my throat by the government and come up with my own writing process? Alright, it’s not that tough of a decision. Of course I’m going to do what works best for me and come up with my own way. After all, many successful authors do things in order to write well that teachers wouldn’t even think of teaching. In Susan Wyche’s article (included in Essays on Writing), She states that, “Famous writers have been known to do a lot of crazy things to help them write” and then goes on to list famous authors and their rituals before writing (pg 52). Now, I think that what some authors do, like lying on coffins, is a bit excessive and I’m not too sure how that helps them write but I do think that everyone is different and requires different settings and stimuli to help the creative process. For me, I need music that I know well. If I am listening to a song that I know every beat to, I can write through the entire song without taking a break. This idea is one of many that teachers have always tried to suppress saying that we can’t have distractions and not allowing us to listen to music in class even when we are doing individualized
What about writing and the writing process makes it so disliked and, in some cases, even feared? “Fun?” by Lex Runciman, an English teacher at the Linfield College in Oregon, is an insightful article that explores why many people don’t enjoy writing. He is a very credible author because he has taught college English classes for many years and has written and published several books. His main claim throughout the article is that many people dislike writing and feel that it is frustrating because it is not perceived as or made out to be fun, enjoyable, or rewarding. Runciman wrote this article because, at the time, he felt that there was not enough being done to reverse the negative image that surrounds writing. He wants his readers to realize through his article that writing and the writing process can actually be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Runciman uses evidence, assumptions, and language and tone as a basis for his argument.
In Downs and Wardle’s article, they argue and identify the flaws in teaching writing in college. Demonstrating the misconceptions that academic writing is universal, but rather specialized in each case. Citing studies and opinions from esteemed professionals, Downs & Wardle state their points and illuminate the problem in today’s many colleges.
Ralph Fletcher’s story in the beginning of the introduction quickly grabbed my attention. Although the story was humorous, I found there to be a lot of truth in it. In the story, the young students realize that their teacher will take anything and make them write about it. It seems to be that the teacher does this so often, that the students are afraid to take joy in the simple things. The students don’t want to assigned another writing prompt. Fletcher then says that teacher need to be sure “not to get too evangelical about teaching writing.” I agree with this statement. It is very important to teach students how to write, but as a teacher we need to know when we should take a break so the students do not get burnt out. Once students get tired
Throughout my childhood, I had a very strong dislike for writing and reading. I found it boring and unexciting. As I progressed through elementary school, each writing assignment always came back with a mediocre to poor grade and to be honest, I didn’t really care because I disliked writing so much, so it meant nothing to me. Even throughout middle school, I didn’t care. Because all grades in elementary and middle school didn’t count towards anything, so I just didn’t put in the effort. I got bored so easily when completing a writing prompt for the state standardized testing exam called CSAP, later known as TCAP, then progressing to become PARCC. Writing just never appealed to me.
Anyone who is doing any type of writing piece has a process. They may not know it but it is there and it exists. It is one’s approach to their piece and how they go about accomplishing it. It has to do with how you write it, how many drafts you do, as well as your revision process if you even have one. My writing process however has room for improvement. A summation of my writing process consist of heavy planning, one draft, and little revisions. Anne Lamott, Shirley Rose, and Kathleen Yancey all drew attention to major points through their writing pieces that support and dispute my writing process. Through their pieces they have found a way to inspire, inform, and entertain me all at the same time while passing along great information that
Handwriting is a means of expressing language, just like speech. However, handwriting is not taught in school as much as in previous years. In the past, handwriting was taught as a precursor to reading and spelling. Today, students of all ages are rigorously tested on their writing skills, yet they are not allowed the time it takes to develop this skill. I remember writing in a Big Chief notebook, holding a chubby pencil, trying my best to make the curves and lines of the letters just right. When I attended elementary school, the teacher devoted at least forty-five minutes to handwriting each day. Handwriting should still be taught in school because it is an essential first step to reading and expressing one’s thoughts and feelings and because of its impact on higher education.
There are various ways writers can evaluate their techniques applied in writing. The genre of writing about writing can be approached in various ways – from a process paper to sharing personal experience. The elements that go into this specific genre include answers to the five most important questions who, what, where, and why they write. Anne Lamott, Junot Diaz, Kent Haruf, and Susan Sontag discuss these ideas in their individual investigations. These authors create different experiences for the reader, but these same themes emerge: fears of failing, personal feelings toward writing, and most importantly personal insight on the importance of writing and what works and does not work in their writing procedures.
unwanted essay or any other punishment that awaits us. Maybe not talking while our teacher in trying to
In Donald M. Murrays’s essay “What is Practical Education” he explains his reasoning behind why he allowed his students to write badly. He shares his own experience with police-like teachers who drove him to hate writing. In hopes of helping his students find their voice he allows his students to write the words down as they come, no matter how awkward they sound. Often times they find out that they have more to say then they thought. Rhetorical devices are used to help the readers relate to his point of view on writing.
Writing is a process I’ve grown to despise. Ever since grade school, I’ve had problems trying to express my ideas on paper. My writing process involves thinking about what’s being asked and trying to reflect my thoughts the best way I can on paper, but my thoughts don’t always come out as clear as I want them to be sometimes leaving a question not fully answered. My writing process isn’t a consistent set in stone process, but since being in ENC 1101 I always follow some of the same parameters such as revising my drafts, grammar usage and considering context and audience.
...everal times the same word, definition, or phrase because he or she had acted inappropriately or missed a question. While the punishment is perhaps effective for some teachers, it instills in the student the ideology that writing is a punishment. Thus the student will continue this attitude until someone, like Ross Borden, is effective enough to change it.
This contributes to Pinker’s idea that the English language is failing. First, children lack the self-esteem to write a solid paper and from there, will not ask for the help they need. Lee Warren states in his paper, “The biggest factor affecting learning for lower class students is a lack of confidence based on real or perceived weaknesses in preparation” (Warren). Simply because a child is not from the highest class and they are intertwined with these high class students they feel they cannot learn as well and that shows in their work. This should not be a factor and this is where teachers need to step in with their set fundamental rules that all children should face when writing. Teachers need to apply the fundamental rules as well as ensure every child in each class feels equal and like they are capable of being a proper writer. Pinker tries to say “[that] once introduced, a prescriptive rule is very hard to eradicate, no matter how ridiculous” (Pinker 374). This is completely false. What needs to happen is teaching authorities needs to step in and fix the problems by starting with young children and following through until they are done school following with a repetition of this for all
Writing is an important part of everyone’s life, whether we use it in school, in the workplace, as a hobby or in personal communication. It is important to have this skill because it helps us as writers to express feelings and thoughts to other people in a reasonably permanent form. Formal writing forms like essays, research papers, and articles stimulates critically thinking. This helps the writer to learn how to interpret the world around him/her in a meaningful way. In college, professors motivate students to write in a formal, coherent manner, without losing their own voice in the process. Improving your writing skills is important, in every English class that’s the main teaching point; to help students improve their writing skills. Throughout my college experience I have acknowledge that
A tale without a purpose but to get a good grade You know what? I used to write a lot when I was a kid. There is a sort of liberating quality about writing that fitted me like a glove. I was so shy, painfully shy, and the only way I could express myself was through writing.
Punishment means abuse someone does something incorrect or a crime as annoying citizens in public places, stealing and killing. Every person does something wrong should be punished also everything wrong has different kind of punishment. For example, when somebody kills, his retribution will be death penalization. Likewise, children are punished by their parents or in school for their naughtiness or when they do something wrong like cheating, do not respect people and their fathers and mothers and hitting other kids. Some people punish their children corporally even if it was a simple wrong, like pulling hair, kicking and burning thinking that they will learn that they did something wrong.