1. Overall I
appreciate the idea of responding to student papers in an informal manner so
that comments take on more of a conversational role. I think this is far less
intimidating to students, and may make it more likely that they will actually
read the comments. However, while grading my first set of student papers, I did
notice some major, recurring grammar issues that even led to reader confusion
(e.g. inconsistent tense and run-on sentences). In the context of being the
relaxed reader who still draws attention to global issues (in a more
nondirective manner), how do we address the more detail-oriented issues like
grammar?
2. I loved
Elbow’s suggestions for evaluation-free zones. I do wonder though, considering
how we have discussed so much already how important revision will be to our
classrooms, if something like Elbow’s three-week period of evaluation-free
writing would be useful in such a context? I’m guessing we’re not allowed to
implement this idea in our course anyway, but regarding the merits/potential
issues linked to this system (which I really like), I thought it might be
limiting revisions-wise. And does this perhaps give too little credit to
teacher evaluation, which I have personally found very helpful for me in the
development of my own writing, and which I think is necessary, at least for the
students whose work I have seen during my internship the last weeks?
Responding to your second question....
ReplyDeleteUgh. That is hard. More time for free-writing encourages them to take risks, to find their voice, to make writing the personal, messy, and exciting practice that we know it to be. But, as you say, teacher evaluation can be very helpful. On one hand, I want to say "why can't teachers still evaluate but not grade or judge harshly, and instead just gently prod at ideas?" But I think that Elbow would probably say that doing so would make it much less free, as the writer knows eyes will be on it. Rather than make an entire 3-week segment of free writing, we can spend random pockets of time throughout the year to practice free writing. That's my plan, at least.