Memo 3A: Connecting it to the class

            Since my I-search is on the use of the five paragraph essay to develop student writing, with a focus in the argument realm. Before a successful argument essay is written, thoughts need to be organized. Chapter 7 of Kelly Gallagher’s book Write Like This has many different techniques used to organize thoughts before writing a solid argument essay. One of these techniques is the four square argument chart.

            The way that I look at it is that before I can figure out a way to develop students writing away from the 5 paragraph essay, first they need to understand the essay, then learn how to form an argument, and finally write a solid 5 paragraph essay. Then movement away from the formula can start to develop. As I mentioned Gallagher’s book is full of techniques to develop and organize an argument before the actual “writing” takes place.

            A formula like the five paragraph essay cannot just be taught, because each part needs to be taught separately and the introduction or thesis statement is not what should come first, but rather the argument itself. To develop the argument, I had mentioned the four square argument chart which lists the writer’s argument, the opposing argument and the responses to each. This allows writers to organize point and counter point and lets the writer see if the point is worth arguing in the first place.

            Another piece of information that is very useful in Gallagher’s book is his chart on the dos and don’ts of a conclusion. Often times is papers I have read, the conclusion is the weakest most boring part of the essay, just simply restating everything that had been said. This chart says that the conclusion should end with a strong “so what” and paint a vibrant image of the side of the argument being discussed. One of the ways it says this could be effective is to end with a warning.

            To connect my I-search with this course, it is pretty obvious. While the standard 5 paragraph essay should only be a stepping stone to better argument writing, the SAT and other standard tests require the five paragraph argument essay. This makes it important for teachers to teach the five paragraph essay. So, while many people will argue that the five paragraph essay is a terrible murderer or creativity, it is a necessary thing to teach, and if taught appropriately, can be an excellent tool to help develop student writing.

            I’m pretty excited to continue this journey to figure out how I would like to teach the standard five paragraph essay, then how I would like to teach away from it utilizing the steps and uses of each part. This would be really cool to show off to the rest of the class too and they can see the use of the un-creative five paragraph essay that both students and teachers seem to moan about. Especially how cool Montaigne was with his use of the essay to criticize his society and analyze people’s behaviors.