Many have probably not read the assignments for this Wednesday, but there are a few things I would like the class to think about when reading out of To Compose. The issue we read about this week involves following grammar rules and creatively writing...where do we draw the line as teachers? Is it wrong for students to go out of the box and write in a way that is unique to our time? Is it wrong for us as teachers to penalize them for taking this step out of the box? How do we distinguish when this creativity is appropriate and when formal grammar is more appropriate? Is it wrong that we think there is a time and place for "creativity"?
These were just a few of the questions I found running through my head as I read this chapter. We are constantly encouraging students to find their inner writer, but in many cases, when those students do find their inner writer, we tell them that it is wrong. Writing, even formally, does require a degree of creativity...but where do we draw the line. As teachers, we are going to have to draw lines, provide explanations, etc, as to why certain creative writing should be left out of formal writing. But how do we decide what is too creative and what shouldn't be used?
I think that it is very important to keep in mind what we want to do as teachers as we read this chapter. This is a very difficult subject with no single right or wrong answer...so how do we decide the shades of gray in a world that is so black and white?
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Jaime,
I think an important consideration is whether or not the student is cognizant of the rule-breaking. Choosing to break a formal grammar rule for the purpose of style and/or emphasis can be an effective rhetorical strategy, but that does not give students freedom to break rules at will--the key is the conscious choice. Also, academic writing does not have to be entirely void of creativity. In fact, you will probably agree that the more interesting articles you've had to read in this class employ some creative strategies.
This article actually brings out some interesting perspectives as far as whether or not allowing students to break rules will result in the formation of bad habits. I'd like to hear what the rest of you think.
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