"They speak a
logic that is important to challenge precisely
because this logic perpetuates the commonsense
myth that the fi ve-paragraph theme is an actual
“form,” and that “forming” in writing is simply
slotting information into prefabricated formulas
rather than a complex process of meaning-making
and negotiation between a writer’s purposes and
audiences’ needs."
The very beginning of this article is what interested me the most because it, essentially, coincided with the articles that we have read in the past that focus on the traditional school system and their lack of effort to challenge these students the way they really need to be challenged. Most importantly, when reading this article I thought of Mike Rose's article and how he expressed his level of indifference in the vocational ed program as well as his teachers disregard for the improvement of his and his peers education. The infamous five-paragraph format essay has been thrown upon non-collegiate students at a very young age because, to the teachers, its the best solution in the student's creative writing. However this indifferent essay format actually hinders the student and their growth in writing. The children grow accustomed to being asked to write a traditional five paragraphs when given ANY written assignment and, over time, that is the only thing they know when it comes to writing and writing assignments. Also, and most importantly, in writing not every clearly developed thought and response can be scrunched into five measly paragraphs nor does it deserve to be. "They speak a logic that is important to challenge precisely because this logic perpetuates the commonsense myth that the five-paragraph theme is an actual “form,” and that “forming” in writing is simply slotting information into prefabricated formulas rather than a complex process of meaning-making and negotiation between a writer’s purposes and audiences’ needs." (Et al, 2013) This quote clearly illustrates just how "modeled" writing is today and how unchallenging writing is for students because all that is required of them is to "fill in the slots" as et al puts it. Writing has evolved into a fabricated systematic form instead of a complex, thought provoking process that requires the children to think beneath the surface and to voice those thoughts and opinions. Also, because students are writing in a fabricated form, they are beginning to develop a disregard for the purpose of their writing as well as the readers expectations and needs. The five-paragraph essays not only deprives the student but also the audience of quality writing, therefore, it is clear to see that reform must be made for the students benefits in writing and creative thinking.