Re: formulaic writing, prison, keys

[Mike Keene <mkeene@utkux.utcc.utk.edu>]

Howdy folks,

Was it Lynne who brought up the idea that students have to realize they're
in the formulaic writing box before they can start to get out, and that
the key for getting out is engaging themselves in the process, in the
subject, in the task? Anyway, whoever said it, it's a crucial point.  We
all use habitual solutions sometimes; the trick is to have the right
judgment about when and where. So some campus athletes, just like many
other first-year comp students, who have all kinds of vested interests in
passing first year comp, take _what they perceive to be_ the "safe" way
out, one that also requires of them _what they perceive to be_ the minimum
of time and energy for the maximum reward.  Within the context of first
year comp, it's hard to restructure the situation sufficiently so as to
change that behavior, partly because there are two really tightly held
perceptions ("urban myths," "campus myths"?)  to deal with, perceptions
reinforced by a subculture which (in the case of athletics, or on some
campuses social groups, or in Aggieland the Corps of Cadets--doesn't every
campus have such tight subcultures?) most of us do not have access to. I
have, unfortunately, no great solutions to that problem.  And of course,
while it's not a writing problem per se, it shows up in every word these
writers use (or, more likely, don't use). "Get engaged in the assignment,
put in some extra time and energy, take a chance" I want to say. Some
athletes (as with all other writers) hear that, they see Karl Malone
putting up shot after shot even tho he misses way too many and they get
the analogy;  some athletes (as with all other writers) don't. 


Mike

Mike Keene
mkeene@utk.edu

Office Phone: 423-974-6969
Department Phone:  423-974-5401