So, out of all of the information we absorded over this past week, I've decided to focus on the 5 paragraph essay and the multigenre paper. Ever since high school, I have been trained to construct papers built upon the 5 paragraph structure. Introductary paragraph with thesis, three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. In college, I was assigned papers as large as 25 pages; I never once thought to ask myself, "How do I make 5 paragraphs stretch across 25 pages?" I guess the paper structure just came naturally or I had received some instruction that I simply can't recall. Some of the articles argue against the 5 paragraph essay, and I completely understand why; it's too structured, it can inhibit critical thinking, and it can make students feel like their thoughts are constricted. However, I see how it can be a starting point for teaching students how to organize their thoughts and data. I ask you, "Without the 5 paragraph essay, where would you begin to teach students how to write a paper?" I believe that once students become familiar with how to develop a paper, we should lead them to other strategies and methods beyond this form. As a future teacher, I am open to reading more studies about this infamous, criticized essay. Still, I think it's necessary to introduce students to it, since it has become ubiquitous.
With this essay format, I firmly believe in the benefits from the multigenre paper and I am absolutely going to implement this within my creative writing class. As mentioned previously, the 5 paragraph essay can be constricting and maybe even boring. Within Romano's work, a teacher states, "I can write a good, safe analytical paper any day. Multigenre is a bit more dangerous. For me, it requires investing myself more. As a result, multigenre is much more reqarding" (3). Education, in part, is about students discovering themselves and who they want to be. By getting the option to choose their topic, students become passionate about their research and eventually, their writing. It is through this process of research and writing that students inch closer to self-discovery.
Resource Link: http://www.users.muohio.edu/romanots/
This site is labeled Multigenre Writing. It offers examples of Assignment sheets, Research designs, rubrics, and examples of multigenre papers. Basically, it's an extension or Romano's text. It also provides more information about the author, Tom Romano.
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I really like what you said:
ReplyDeleteI never once thought to ask myself, "How do I make 5 paragraphs stretch across 25 pages?"
In high school I was basically taught the five paragraph essay format, but when it came time to write something a bit longer, I just wrote and wrote. At first I thought I was forgetting everything my H.S. teachers taught me, but looking back I think I took what they taught me about the five paragraph essay and figured out what parts I needed to implement in my 50 paragraph essays in college.
I agree- there is a large jump between the five paragraph essay and the academic writing these students will be asked to do in later years. Both of you have touched on an important critique of this format: What happens when the five paragraph essay isn't enough? I would be curious to see responses from first year college freshman about the five paragraph essay... they probably mirror a lot of what Jamie has written in her blog!
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