 |
 |
I know that Judy presents a more general point about education--I say that first because what I'm about to say might seem to miss it--but I'm actually interested in the specifics of this 5 paragraph essay assignment. I see lots of first year student (here at York U.--Toronto) whose sense of academic writing has been shaped by advice about "not sitting on the fence" --though this teacher's injunction to avoid "a reasoned moderate argument" is an extreme example of that kind of advice. Education can flow both ways--why not consult with your daughter and encourage her to compose a meta-note or covering letter to go with the paper she's written? It might say something like: 'I'm sure that your instruction about not arguing both sides wasn't intended to preclude arguing a specific position located somewhere between extremes of 'yes'--Quebec is wholly justified in seeking immediate separation from Canada and 'no'--under no circumstances should the separatistes be allowed to hijack Quebec. ' James Brown