How sad that only the first letter writer is a teacher. Rob Irish Quoting Graham Smart <[log in to unmask]>: > In doing a search of the LA Times, where Sartwell's piece was published, I > found three letters-to-the-editor responding to it. I thought folks > might be interested in seeing the letters, so I've copied them below. > > Graham > ----------------------------- > LETTERS TO THE EDITOR > Writing Formulas in Schools and Grading by Computers > > May 24, 2004 > > Re "The Lobotomized Weasel School of Writing," Commentary, May 20: I > vehemently disagree with Crispin Sartwell's characterization of the > five-paragraph essay as "hoo-ha." While he explains that writing "ought to > nurture and give shape to thought," he fails to understand that this essay > format allows for the organization of thought, thus allowing for coherent > shape. > > Writing an essay is much like giving a presentation to an audience. The > presenter needs to clearly and simply introduce the subject or argument, > then enumerate and develop subtopics that provide supporting information. > It is important to restate the thesis near the end of an essay in an > original and powerful manner, as this is the last chance the writer has to > convince the reader of the validity of the information presented. > > I begin this format with my ninth-graders and push them to expand the > number of paragraphs when the essay's depth calls for it. From 10th grade > on, students are encouraged to shed the "five-paragraph habit" while > continuing to adhere to its basic principles. > > Also, Sartwell would have been better served to offer a strong thesis > statement near the beginning of his epithet-filled commentary. > > Eric Burgess > > Rosemead > > *** > > The computer is a truly magnificent thing, with any number of useful > applications. But if Sartwell is correct, it has put us on a slippery > slope. The notion that the computer can grade essays is mind-boggling. > > What next, the computer-written essay? One click of the mouse for entire > phrases, sentences, paragraphs? Not to worry; no one will read the > product, just the computer, which will scan the work for the appropriate > words — never mind in what order — and assign a grade: Pass or fail, pick > up your diploma on the way out. > > Francis B. Kent > > North Hollywood > > *** > > The topic of this topic sentence is the thesis that Sartwell is right on. > The three arguments of this paragraph are that, firstly, out of a laudable > democratic attempt to make writing accessible to all, the American > education system has produced a teachable formula for essay writing. > Secondly, in the struggle to fill in the blanks in the formula, good > writing becomes impossible. And thirdly (no, not allowed to start a > sentence with "and"), there is no longer space for thinking. > > My two daughters have found the formula intimidating, stultifying and a > handicap rather than a help. In trying to write this letter according to > the rules, I now appreciate their struggles. To me, there are only two > rules for writing, or rather, two questions to ask oneself. One, what am I > wanting to say? Two, how am I going to say it? Weasels begone! > > Hilary Henson > > Pacific Palisades > > > *************************** > Graham Smart > Assistant Professor > University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee > College of Letters and Science > Department of English > 439 Curtin Hall - P.O Box 413 > Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201 > Office phone: (414) 229-2990 > e-mail: [log in to unmask] > *************************** > www.sierraclub.org > www.savebiogems.org > > -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- > To leave the list, send a SIGNOFF CASLL command to > [log in to unmask] or, if you experience difficulties, > write to Russ Hunt at [log in to unmask] > > For the list archives and information about the organization, > its newsletter, and the annual conference, go to > http://www.stu.ca/inkshed/ > -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- > -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To leave the list, send a SIGNOFF CASLL command to [log in to unmask] or, if you experience difficulties, write to Russ Hunt at [log in to unmask] For the list archives and information about the organization, its newsletter, and the annual conference, go to http://www.stu.ca/inkshed/ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-