Why They Can't Write

Why They Can't Write PDF Author: John Warner
Publisher: JHU Press
ISBN: 1421427117
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 285

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Book Description
An important challenge to what currently masquerades as conventional wisdom regarding the teaching of writing. There seems to be widespread agreement that—when it comes to the writing skills of college students—we are in the midst of a crisis. In Why They Can't Write, John Warner, who taught writing at the college level for two decades, argues that the problem isn't caused by a lack of rigor, or smartphones, or some generational character defect. Instead, he asserts, we're teaching writing wrong. Warner blames this on decades of educational reform rooted in standardization, assessments, and accountability. We have done no more, Warner argues, than conditioned students to perform "writing-related simulations," which pass temporary muster but do little to help students develop their writing abilities. This style of teaching has made students passive and disengaged. Worse yet, it hasn't prepared them for writing in the college classroom. Rather than making choices and thinking critically, as writers must, undergraduates simply follow the rules—such as the five-paragraph essay—designed to help them pass these high-stakes assessments. In Why They Can't Write, Warner has crafted both a diagnosis for what ails us and a blueprint for fixing a broken system. Combining current knowledge of what works in teaching and learning with the most enduring philosophies of classical education, this book challenges readers to develop the skills, attitudes, knowledge, and habits of mind of strong writers.

Why They Can't Write

Why They Can't Write PDF Author: John Warner
Publisher: JHU Press
ISBN: 1421427117
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 285

Get Book Here

Book Description
An important challenge to what currently masquerades as conventional wisdom regarding the teaching of writing. There seems to be widespread agreement that—when it comes to the writing skills of college students—we are in the midst of a crisis. In Why They Can't Write, John Warner, who taught writing at the college level for two decades, argues that the problem isn't caused by a lack of rigor, or smartphones, or some generational character defect. Instead, he asserts, we're teaching writing wrong. Warner blames this on decades of educational reform rooted in standardization, assessments, and accountability. We have done no more, Warner argues, than conditioned students to perform "writing-related simulations," which pass temporary muster but do little to help students develop their writing abilities. This style of teaching has made students passive and disengaged. Worse yet, it hasn't prepared them for writing in the college classroom. Rather than making choices and thinking critically, as writers must, undergraduates simply follow the rules—such as the five-paragraph essay—designed to help them pass these high-stakes assessments. In Why They Can't Write, Warner has crafted both a diagnosis for what ails us and a blueprint for fixing a broken system. Combining current knowledge of what works in teaching and learning with the most enduring philosophies of classical education, this book challenges readers to develop the skills, attitudes, knowledge, and habits of mind of strong writers.

Mastering the 5-paragraph Essay

Mastering the 5-paragraph Essay PDF Author: Susan Van Zile
Publisher: Teaching Resources
ISBN: 9780439635257
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Meaningful, student-centered lessons and activities that include models and rubrics for teaching informational, narrative, persuasive essays!

Beyond the Five Paragraph Essay

Beyond the Five Paragraph Essay PDF Author: Kimberly Campbell
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1003843301
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 246

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Book Description
Love it or hate it, the five-paragraph essay is perhaps the most frequently taught form of writing in classrooms of yesterday and today. But have you ever actually seen five-paragraph essays outside of school walls? Have you ever found it in business writing, journalism, nonfiction, or any other genres that exist in the real world? Kimberly Hill Campbell and Kristi Latimer reviewed the research on the effectiveness of the form as a teaching tool and discovered that the research does not support the five-paragraph formula. In fact, research shows that the formula restricts creativity, emphasizes structure rather than content, does not improve standardized test scores, inadequately prepares students for college writing, and results in vapid writing. In Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay, Kimberly and Kristi show you how to reclaim the literary essay and create a program that encourages thoughtful writing in response to literature. They provide numerous strategies that stimulate student thinking, value unique insight, and encourage lively, personal writing, including the following: Close reading (which is the basis for writing about literature) Low-stakes writing options that support students' thinking as they read Collaboration in support of discussion, debate, and organizational structures that support writing as exploration A focus on students' writing process as foundational to content development and structure The use of model texts to write in the form of the literature students are reading and analyzingThe goal of reading and writing about literature is to push and challenge our students' thinking. We want students to know that their writing can convey something important: a unique view to share, defend, prove, delight, discover, and inspire. If we want our students to be more engaged, skilled writers, we need to move beyond the five-paragraph essay.

Writing Rhetorically

Writing Rhetorically PDF Author: Jennifer Fletcher
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1003841686
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 448

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Book Description
In Writing Rhetorically: Fostering Responsive Thinkers and Communicators, author Jennifer Fletcher aims to cultivate independent learners through rhetorical thinking. She provides teachers with strategies and frameworks for writing instruction that can be applied across multiple subjects and lesson plans. Students learn to discover their own questions, design their own inquiry process, develop their own positions and purposes, make their own choices about content and form, and contribute to conversations that matter to them. Inside this book, Fletcher helps remove some of the scaffolding and explains how to put in practice some methods which can successfully foster: Inquiry, Invention, and Rhetorical Thinking Writing for Transfer Paraphrasing, Summary, Synthesis, and Citation Skills Research Skills and Processes Evidence-Based Reasoning Rhetorical Decision Making Rhetorical decision making helps students develop the skills, knowledge, and mindsets needed for transfer of learning: the ability to adapt and apply learning in new settings. The more choices students make as writers, the better prepared they are to analyze and respond to diverse rhetorical situations. Writing Rhetorically shows teachers what it looks like to dig into real texts with students and novice writers and how it develops them for lifelong learning.

How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay Step-by-Step

How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay Step-by-Step PDF Author: J Matthews
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 84

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Book Description
Does your learner need help with knowing how to write an essay? The How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay Step-by-Step workbook teaches your students how to write a 5-paragraph essay using a foolproof step-by-step process. Each incremental lesson teaches one step and contains practice examples to build their skill and confidence. In Part 1, students learn how to plan an essay. They practice the five steps that take them from the essay prompt - the instructions from the teacher - to an excellent essay outline that is ready to write. Each step is laid out visually so students can follow along and see where they are in the process. Part 2 continues the step-by-step approach and teaches how to write each paragraph in an essay. Students learn exactly what to put in an introductory paragraph, a body paragraph and in the conclusion. Again, clear visuals support students in understanding how each sentence contributes to the goals of the paragraph. This book is designed to help all students, but it is particularly helpful for struggling or special needs students who will welcome the explicit steps which they can re-use from essay to essay. The visual supports and incremental practice also build confidence in a wide range of students. Grab this book and help your learners become confident essay experts!

How to Teach the Five-Paragraph Essay

How to Teach the Five-Paragraph Essay PDF Author: David Dye
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780976614685
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 59

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Book Description
How To Teach the Five-Paragraph Essays offers teachers step-by-step directions for teaching the five-paragraph essay. Once the students have mastered the easy to learn format for essay writing, they will be able to write essays in all genres. The goal for this program is for the students to master the essay so well, they can write a five-paragraph essay on any topic in about an hour. Students will also learn to write Interesting Introductions, Classy Conclusions, and Terrific Transitions. All the lesson plans and worksheets required are included. A bonus feature shows the teacher how to run a "writing workshop" program for the students who master the essay quickly. This will allow the teacher to work with small groups to help every student master the essay.

Academic Writing Skills 2 Student's Book

Academic Writing Skills 2 Student's Book PDF Author: Peter Chin
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107621097
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 137

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Book Description
This textbook is suitable for self-study. It takes students through a step-by-step process of writing expository, argumentative, and compare and contrast essays. Includes information on structuring an essay, enhancing introductions, judging the quality of sources, citing information and improving the academic tone of language.

Critical Passages

Critical Passages PDF Author: Kristin Dombek
Publisher: Teachers College Press
ISBN: 9780807744154
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 146

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Book Description
This practical handbook examines the gap between high school and college-level writing instruction, providing teachers with guidance for helping their students make the transition, including strategies for dealing with the many challenges of the writing classroom.

Breakfast on Mars and 37 Other Delectable Essays

Breakfast on Mars and 37 Other Delectable Essays PDF Author: Brad Wolfe
Publisher: Square Fish
ISBN: 9781250044464
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Breakfast on Mars and 37 Other Delectable Essays will inspire students to think differently about the much-feared assignment in elementary and middle schools around the country: essay writing. Rebecca Stern's fifth-grade students were bored to death with essay writing, and the one thing Rebecca needed to inspire them—great examples appropriate for kids—was nowhere to be found. Inspired by a challenge, Rebecca joined forces with her friend, social entrepreneur Brad Wolfe, and the two came up with a terrific proposal—to gather together a collection of unconventional essays by some of the best writers around. They have compiled and edited a collection of imaginative, rule-breaking, and untraditional essays that is sure to change the way you think about the essay. Contributors include: Ransom Riggs, Kirsten Miller, Scott Westerfeld, Alan Gratz, Steve Almond, Jennifer Lou, Chris Higgins, Rita Williams-Garcia, Elizabeth Winthrop, Chris Epting, Sloane Crosley, April Sinclair, Maile Meloy, Daisy Whitney, Khalid Birdsong, Sarah Prineas, Ned Vizzini, Alane Ferguson, Lise Clavel, Mary-Ann Ochota, Steve Brezenoff, Casey Scieszka, Steven Weinberg, Michael Hearst, Clay McLeod Chapman, Gigi Amateau, Laurel Snyder, Wendy Mass, Marie Rutkoski, Sarah Darer Littman, Nick Abadzis, Michael David Lukas, Léna Roy, Craig Kielburger, Joshua Mohr, Cecil Castellucci, Joe Craig, and Ellen Sussman.

The Journey is Everything

The Journey is Everything PDF Author: Katherine Bomer
Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
ISBN: 9780325061580
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"In the electric, pulsating world around us, the essay lives a life of abandon, posing questions, speaking truths, fulfilling a need humans have to know what other humans think and wonder so we can feel less alone." -Katherine Bomer Sadly, many students only know "essay" as a 5-paragraph, tightly structured writing assignment that must check all the boxes of a standardized formula. How did essays in school get so far away from essays in the world? Katherine makes a powerful case for teaching the essay as a way to restore writing to think-that it is in fact necessary for students' success in college and career. "Essay helps students write flexibly, fluently, and with emboldened voices," she writes in The Journey Is Everything, "qualities they can translate into any assigned writing task in school or in life." She argues that the close reading of essays fulfills the recommendations of state and national standards, while practice in essay writing leads to better academic and test writing. More importantly, "Essay gives its author the space, time, and freedom to think about and make sense of things, take a journey of discovery, and speak her mind, without boundaries." Don't students deserve the chance to develop their own topics, discover their own writing voices, and learn to structure prose organically, according to the content? Katherine gives you tools, strategies, and activities to bring a unit on more authentic writing into your practice. Rediscover the power of the essay to bring out students' true thinking-their true selves. Because after all, the journey is everything.