1. Belanoff begins her essay with the statement that scholars from other disciplines wish that grading for composition could be objective, like how it is in the math and sciences. The reason for objectivity in math and sciences is because there is a right and wrong answer, i.e. 2+2=4. Yet, in composition, there isn't a set right or wrong. If we were to grade objectively, would we be taking away the student's agency and their ability to create? Or would we be more fair in that we're following a set "right vs. wrong" standard?
2. Daiker emphasizes the shift that should be taken from highlighting student error in papers, to finding praise and success in their papers. However, there are instances where students expect the negative responses because they are very apprehensive when it comes to writing. How would you go about breaking that cycle with students in your own classroom? It can be hard to change someone's mindset, so what practices would you use to open their eyes to the positive aspects of their writing?
Liana,
ReplyDeleteIn regards to your first question I think that making English more objective would definitely stifle a student's creativity(But I would like to say that there are definitely norms and standard schools of thought that we follow in English). But I talked about this in my reading response. I said that the issue that arises with the subjectivity is the fact that it becomes an issue when it comes to grading. The problem is that a student gets used to one type of subjectivity and than has to adapt to a new subjectivity, and that can be difficult if a student doesn't interpret it as just adding both together into an essay and instead replaces what they did previously with what they are currently doing.
But ultimately, I do see that there is right vs. wrong in English in the generic sense, so I would rail against trying to standardize it to a point where abstract and critical thinking is hindered. But this is a conversation that I think that every English teacher should have with their students for the sake of informing them of this important topic and setting their expectations.