Olivares_Formulaic Writing_2/18/13

            Whether or not you argue for using the Jane Shaffer method, one thing is clear and that is that the Shaffer method has limits and should not be stuck with just this method at your disposal. It is a valid method and it does teach important concepts structural concepts like paragraphs, intros, and conclusions, but it’s a beginner’s tool. “Teachers, while acknowledging that students must move beyond the Schaffer method if they are to continue improving, were nevertheless left wondering what to do next. Unfortunately, there is no next in the Schaffer approach.” The method if followed to the letter doesn’t give the students the room to be creative and that’s what should be taught after the Shaffer method; the ability to go beyond this simple structure and expand on important ideas and talk about your opinions. Shaffer s claims that “students resist writing commentary because it means they must say what they think, a task they are not used to and one they find difficult.” If this is difficult then the next step is to find ways for the students to practice writing their opinions. This could be done by giving the students more leeway in their topic selection so that they can write about something that deeply interests them. Writing essay types like persuasion and pro and con with an emphasis on the getting the writers ideas expressed. Or even having them speak out loud in small and large groups, or individually about their opinions so that they can get those out. Students need to know that their thoughts matter and finding ways to encourage that is giving the students a path to success; one that can be expanded on in new and different ways.

            I remember in high school having a method of writing essays that reminds me a lot of the Jane Shaffer method. I don’t believe any of my teachers taught it with that name, but there are similarities to the style and I remember using that style for a while. When I was just starting out and I felt stuck not knowing what to write I used this formulaic method of writing my papers. Luckily for me I didn't feel constrained by the style and I didn’t stay with it for all my writing. I attribute this to my voracious reading habits. But I understand that some students might feel very comfortable using this style and may stick with it because they are not confident that they can do it another way.

            I agree with James Collins that this method should be taught as just one of many strategies to choose from. The Shaffer strategy may get students the grade, but it lacks the ability to transform writing from a boring school subject to something that the students can get into and willingly use for the rest of their lives. We should be training these students in a way that gets them to want to write in their lives and not just for a grade.