Second Reflection: CI 5461

I really enjoyed this weeks readings that addressed the pros and cons of the five paragraph essay. Prior to reading the Wesley and Novick articles, I really had no idea that this was such a heated topic. I can understand both sides of this argument, but as I have experience with both types of assignments, I have strong opinions on what method of composition and argumentation is more beneficial for the student.

Wesley states that students have become accustomed to think that an excellent essay MUST fit into the five paragraph format. While the five paragraph style is a good organizational tool, I do agree with Wesley that it may stunt creative work. I think that an essay consisting of five paragraphs really limits the amount of analysis that a student could express through writing. If the first paragraph must be the introduction and the last is the conclusion, that only leaves three paragraphs to unwrap a question or issue that is generally very broad in nature. Her examples of student papers that focused on great questions but failed to address it fully due to the paragraph limitation really demonstrated to me the ill effects of using this approach to essay writing.

I really liked Wesley's idea of creating debates within the classroom. Debates often stir up a bit of anxiety among students because they are forced to defend their idea in front of classmates instead of silently on paper. Because of this style of presentation, they will most likely prepare a better argument so as to not appear 'stupid' in front of classmates. Utilizing debate in the classroom also exposes students to different perspectives. By witnessing debates, students may develop more of an understanding for a perspective that they had previously viewed as 'wrong' or 'stupid'. In my response to Megan D's post, I addressed my own person experience debating abortion in a high school classroom and later writing about the perspective that I argued against. Writing a paper about the opposing side forced me to listen to my 'opponent' instead of blindly arguing strictly because I thought I was right. I learned a great deal about an issue that I had previously only viewed from one side. This sort of collaborative learning environment could never be accomplished in a five paragraph essay. I think debate is an exceptional way to create an interactive classroom that focuses on unpacking big topics that could be interpreted very differently among students.

Although I can understand why certain teachers weave the five paragraph essay into curriculum, I am not interested in using this approach to composition. I think it being an easier assignment to grade may appeal to certain teachers, but I find it less beneficial for student learning. In my future teaching, I plan on avoiding the 5 paragraph essay and instead will provide students with a more creative platform in which to express their opinions.