Instructional Response

One of this week’s readings was “The Complexities of Responding to Student Writing: Or, Looking for Shortcuts via the Road of Excess,” by Richard Haswell.  Within instructional response Haswell suggest four muscular regulative apparatuses (criteria, rules of genre and mode, disciplinary styles, and standard).  This reading made me think….what is the standard in English Composition? What make a student deserving of an A versus a C? Is it the progress the student makes as a writer or the quality of their work?  What determines the quality of the work (is it the style, grammar, organization, or creativity)? In English Composition instructional response, it seems to be an overwhelmingly grey area.  What one teacher judges as a “phenomenal paper,” another teacher may view as “ok”.  There is no specific standard across the board when it comes to writing. I think there desperately needs to be more of a standard. I have taken some writing classes where the teacher has chosen to use rubrics to grade their papers.  I actually find that very helpful. The rubrics define a standard. Each student is judged on the same parameters and the student has no question what is expected of them, and what they will be graded on. Writing is the exploration of free thoughts, however, in order to provide a true instructional response, students have to be held to a standard.

The Writing Community

In The Idea of Community in the Study of Writing, Harris suggests “Our goals as teachers need not to be to initiate our students into the values and practices of some new community, but to offer them the chance to reflect critically on those discourses of home, school, work, the media, and the like-to which they already belong.”

Throughout this semester we have debated about the importance of good grammar. The readings and MOO have shown that some people have strong opinions and evidence to support the good/bad aspects of emphasizing grammar in writing.  

So now I propose the question, what are the most important values and practices of the writing community? Depending on whom you ask the answer may vary. There is a common vision though…the study of writing is designed to teach students how to clearly and effectively communicate their ideas through writing.

 Writing has a direct correlation to our environment. What we see, what we hear, and ultimately how we think.  Based on what we know, what we do, and how we relate, determines which “communities” we are affiliated with. Bringing different perspectives to a new community can enhance the values and practices in place by challenging them, and making them better.

The writing community is a community like no other, because everything is not black and white. However, the common vision of clear expression through writing should be used to pull creativity from various communities.

Expressionistic Rhetoric

Of the different forms of rhetoric: cognitive rhetoric, expressionistic rhetoric, and social-epistemic rhetoric, expressionistic rhetoric stands out to me (even though all forms of rhetoric are interconnected). Berlin says “The most important measure of authenticity of genuine self-discovery and self-revelation, furthermore, is the presence of originality in expression, and this is the case whether the writer is creating poetry or writing a business report.” Expressionistic rhetoric capitalizes on creativity, defines truth, and delivers power!

Expressionistic rhetoric allows writers to openly share their imagination. Through this process inventions are created and new thoughts/theories are born. Expressionistic rhetoric releases creativity, which is also the ingenuity behind reinventing old ideas.

Expressionistic rhetoric defines truth in the eyes of the author.  Through lessons learned and personal experiences everyone develops their own perspective. Whether using factual concepts or pure opinion, expressionistic rhetoric allows people to share their inner thoughts and reasoning.

Expressionistic rhetoric is powerful! What is the first amendment in the U.S. constitution? “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” The freedom of speech is valuable and mighty.  Through expressionistic rhetoric, America has become the country it is today…words = actions.

July 1st

In The Winds of Change, the new paradigm for teaching writing is discussed. 12 principal features are listed.  So, for my blog this week I’d like to focus on my top 3 of the 12.

1.       It stresses the principle that writing teachers should be people who write.

There are some phenomenal English Composition professors out there, but majority of the time that’s not the case. Of all the courses taught within the English Department, English Composition has the ability to make the greatest impact, so that’s why it should be imperative to choose professors wisely. I must highlight that just because someone is a good writer, doesn’t mean that they are a good teacher. The best writing teachers are excellent writers and teachers.

2.       It focuses on the writing process; instructors intervene in students writing during the process.

Shaughnessy states “we cannot teach students to write by looking only at what they have written.” Once students turn in their paper, the thought process is complete. It would be beneficial for students to receive feedback throughout the whole process.  Intervention throughout the process will allow students to share what they’re thinking and which direction they plan to go, then the teacher can guide them along the right path.

3.       It emphasizes that writing is a way of learning and developing as well as a communication skill.

Writing is a skill that can be taught. Some students are naturally more creative, and better at organizing their thoughts and ideas.  However, once students grasp the basic fundamentals of writing, and as they continue to develop their skill set, they can become better writers and communicators.