Re: Wild Lunatic Ravings Against Formulaic Writing

[Carl Glover <glover@msmary.edu>]

Dear Friends,
	Again let me say that I do not make use of the 5-paragraph theme;
I actively discourage its use in the writing classes that I teach and in
the writing center where I tutor.  I don't believe, however, that there is
anything inherently wrong with the form.  It is morally neutral, though,
as several have mostly vehemently asserted, it is often abused by those
who employ it.
	However, to suggest there is no evidence to support the
usefullness of formulaic writing directly challenges the anecdotal
evidence offered by several readers of this list.  Perhaps you haven't had
time to read those posts, Kevin, but some have argued that on a limited
basis they have made productive use of the 5-paragraph essay.  To discount
the validity of their experience I think moves the argument from straw man
to ad hominem.
					Warm regards,


					Carl W. Glover
					glover@msmary.edu