2 out of 35
students know how to write a thesis statement. Even when I spend several classes on it, show them examples, discuss it at length, they write:
“This artwork is different than the other one and they have some similarities even though they are from different times and stuff.”
This is sad, mofos, SAD.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
I just gave a long lecture on having a purpose for a comparison-contrast paper. They stared blankly, and I know I will get things like “Apples and oranges are different yet similar and I am going to explain why.”
Joy.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Huh. Wow. I didn’t know you could get into college without this skill.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:38 am
I just handed back my class’s first research papers, and half of them did not know they had to put their works cited in alphabetical order by author. One guy was talking to me about grad school, and he truly does not know how to write. WTF? How are these people getting so close to graduating without knowing how to write?!?!
November 6th, 2007 at 11:59 am
My god, Theresa. I had hoped that with your super duper university, things would be better. I am saddened all over again!!!
November 6th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Ha, no joke. When I taught writing it always baffled me- it is such an easy concept to me. But so many have such difficulty with it. Ugh!
November 6th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
My favorite thesis for a compare/contrast essay- This painting is better than this other painting, and here’s why. No. Joke.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:52 am
“There is a lot of symbolisms in this poem.”
My favorite opening essay line evah.