Date:    Thu, 2 Apr 1998 18:20:36 -0500
<br>From:    Beverly Flanigan <flanigan[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]OAK.CATS.OHIOU.EDU>
<br>Subject: Re: freshman composition--again
<br>
<br>Bravo, Devon!  I don't teach Fr. Comp. anymore (having switched from
<br>English to Linguistics 20 years ago), but when I teach TESOL grad students
<br>how to teach writing to non-native learners of English, I insist on the
<br>very principles you follow.  In fact (old-fashioned Walter Ong protegee
<br>that I am/was), I teach them Aristotle's model in the _Rhetoric_!  It still
<br>works.
<br>And by the way, all members of our Linguistics faculty, junior and senior,
<br>take turns teaching our introductory "Nature of Language" course--it's
<br>comparable to Fr. Comp. and keeps our feet firmly on the ground.
<br>
<br>
<br>At 09:30 PM 4/1/98 -0800, you wrote:
<br>>Further to Peter Richardson's comments:
<br>>
<br>>As it was in the beginning, is now, and likely ever shall be, I am a
<br>>student. I happen to write (mostly) A papers, and cringe when I see courses
<br>>that evaluate solely by quizzes and exams. Generally, I avoid them like the
<br>>plague.
<br>>I believe the reason many students don't write excellent papers is that they
<br>>have never been taught an essential aspect of the process.
<br>>I see an essay as my turn in the conversation. I have been granted the
<br>>floor. Along with the privilege of speaking, I am charged with the
<br>>responsibility of not wasting everyone else's time. I am expected to speak
<br>>on topic, and not simply repeat what the previous speaker has already
<br>>addressed. If I disagree with what has been said I am expected, first, to
<br>>demonstrate that I understand clearly what has been said, secondly, not to
<br>>misrepresent the previous speaker's ideas, and thirdly,  to make clear my
<br>>reasons for taking exception. I am expected to speak in a register
<br>>appropriate to the conversation and to contribute something worthy of
<br>>mention. Sadly, I am yet to hear any MA teaching assistant, doctoral
<br>>candidate, PhD or tenured professor address this essay writing in these
<br>>terms. Pity.
<br>>
<br>>Devon Coles
<br>>dcoles[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]horizon.bc.ca
<br>>
<br>