5 Paragraph Essay: The hell?

In discussing how Texas’ public education is not only not a good as the government is claiming, but is indeed quite awful, Jeannine D’Arc mentions the “five paragraph essay.” I had never heard of it before. It is apparently an outdated method for teaching essay writing using a strict structure. As you can see from her example and Calpundit (from whom I found her entry).

From this blog, you surely realize that I am not a great writer, but after going to a fairly prestigious university, I have certainly done my share of expository writing. I was taught that you should begin with your thesis, bring up supporting points and then conclude. But 5 paragraphs and such a rigid style? Like any even vaguely creative endeavor the structure of an essay is infinitely variable and dependent on the tone and content of the piece.

Apparently kids in Texas are graded on how well they follow this structure on their standardized tests. Eek!

I remember in high school everyone was required to write a research paper before they graduated. Everyone from the near drop outs to the folks about to go to Harvard wrote one of these “Senior Papers.” I think it’s a great idea. Not all these papers were good (I know mine sucked although the subject matter was fascinating), but I think any BHS student would be better prepared to write in college or life than Rosa Arevelo, a Texas student in this article mentioned by Jeannine.