Letter to a student
Friday, October 31, 2008 at 06:11PM | Lynn As a college compostition instructor I grade hundreds of essays each semester. I make the same notes over and over on student papers. Then, I cover the most frequent mistakes in class. Recently, I found myself writing letters to online students. After realizing that I'd never get through grading papers if I continued spending over an hour each on 90 papers, I decided it would be best to post the letter and tell my students to read it online. Here is is.
Dear Student:
The second submission of your essay was much improved. It appears that you proofread it this time and corrected the typographical errors. I spotted you two extra points because you handed in your work on time and followed many of my suggestions concerning writing more concisely. However, I don't think you understand that essays are constructed. Creative essays are not a result of someone having talent or a good idea. They are created through careful thought. Then, they are written in layers. By that, I mean there is more revision involved than there is knowledge and talent put together.
My writing philosophy is that writing DOES NOT begin until revision.
Having an outline is important. It does not have to be a formal document written with capital letters and Roman numerals. It can be a simple list with important points listed in chronological order. This is meant to be a guide to keep the writer from repeating events and from veering from the subject. Since essays are by definition: short, it is important to focus on the topic in a narrow manner.
Next, go through and analyze each sentence separately. Here are the things you should look for:
- Are the sentences in the appropriate paragraph? Sometimes the last sentence in a paragraph reads better as the first sentence in the following paragraph. There are times that sentences within the same paragraph read better if they are re-arranged. Therefore, after being sure each sentence is a sentence (not a fragment), analyze the chronology of the paragraph. Tip: Reading aloud helps.
- Circle all verbs in each sentence. Use active voice when necessary. If you don't understand active voice, reread the explanations and examples over and over in a writing handbook. If more explanation is needed, check the examples in other handbooks and Google online sites. Active verbs energize an essay. Read about use of active verbs. Re-read the use of active verbs until you understand how to use them. When constructing complex sentences, be sure that all verbs are in the same tense and voice. Re-read the use of active verbs again. If you learn when to use active verbs and when to use passive verbs, all of your professors will think you're a genius.
- Tense should be consistent within all papers, even biology and psychology papers. When creating detail by using dialogue, you might want to use present tense in the dialogue and past tense in the narrative. Set a style and keep it consistent throughout. Tip: If you think you might forget the details of your personal style, create a style sheet and refer to it as your paper progresses. Tip: Define narrative.
- Delete every extraneous word in your essay. Look for words that do nothing for the content of the paper. Think of it this way. Extraneous words block the reader's eye, thus blocking the flow of words that lead to comprehension. Such words may include very, just, so, like, even. Adverbs fall into this category. That's not to say all adverbs should be deleted. Read each sentence aloud with the adverbs. Then, read them without the adverbs. Use only the words that appropriately enhance the content. Tip: Reading aloud helps.
- Learn about conjunctions. Look up "conjunctions" in a handbook. Learn which words are conjunctive adverbs. These words have their own punctuation requirements. Many students have never studied conjunctions and remain confused about general punctuation of sentences that are not simple ones. Therefore, when using conjunctions, flip open the handbook and double-check for correct punctuation. Tip: This takes a maddening length of time before handing in papers; however, grades soar when there are no punctuation errors.
- The only writers who can remember all punctuation rules are those who are professional editors. They edit eight hours a day--everyday. Professional editors keep dictionaries, manuals of style, and grammar handbooks on their desks.
- After the paper is written, wait a day or two and review your essay again. While reading,think. Did you stick to your subject? Did you frame it with details? Is your essay or concept paper a good read for a general audience? Did you give details of settings and people(if needed)? If using anecdotes, is there a need to use sensory details of smell and taste?
- Last of all, it is impossible to award an essay an "A" or "B" if it lacks punctuation, has multiple careless errors revealing that it is a basic draft that has not been proofread and has no paragraphing. Notice I have not mentioned the necessary MLA formatting. Some instructors will not accept assignments that are not properly formatted.
I know you will now re-read the essay you were about to submit.
Sincerely,
Lynn Salsi
Reader Comments (10)
Dear Ms. Salsi,
I looked at your site because I am interested in having you come to speak through the Road Scholars program early next year. We have a wonderful WNC history section here at Pack Memorial Library and I think, with some encouragement, we could gain stories and old pictures from some of our patrons. I will send information through Road Scholars soon.
I also wanted to mention the spellcheck error on section seven of your letter. "Writting" is not a word. Perhaps you meant "written"? It is a touch ironic to be giving your students constructive criticism when you too have not taken the time to check your manuscript before posting it.
Sincerely,
Carla Hollar
Library Associate
Pack Memorial Library
828-250-4701
Dear, Mrs. Salsi
Hi mrs. Salsi i really enjoy you having me in your class room. You are a wonderful teacher you helped me alot in writing my papers. Looking forward to being your student again in the future i had fun being in your classroom.
In reading the letter to a student I think one important thing to have in a paper is transition i think it helps organize your paper and it keeps the paper in order.
Aba
Dear Mrs. Salsi,
A letter to a student really shows how teachers feel about student papers. I could feel your anger in your writing. LOL I think that it is great that you care enough to post tips online for us. The funny thing is that your trying to teach your students how NOT to make mistakes in their papers but you posted an essay with an error. The irony in that!
Your class taught me a lot about how to write an essay and I just wanted to thank you for your extar time.
K.Shonda Thomas
Mrs. Salsi I really enjoyed having you as an instructor for English 111. You have really taught me so much about writing and how to make it in first, second, and third person. When I take my next English class I want to have you as my instructor, but I don't know about that 7:30 am class. I will miss you. Writting is very important especially when you are planning on writing a book or essays. You taught me how to write an concept paper the right way. I am going to need this information when I open up my Daycare Center and hand out my flyers open for business.
Thank You,
Cassandra Hill
Mrs. Salsi,
I enjoyed reading "Letter to a student," I think I understand how you feel. I like your ending, the comment about how the student reading the letter will now re-read their own essay is good.
Thank you for teaching our class. I have learned a lot.
Cora
I have really gained a lot throughout the course of this class. Writing has not and never will be a favorite subject of mine, but you have taken the time to help me understand the writing process. The way you taught this introductory ENG-111 class really made my views of writing change.
Just wanted you to know that your teaching style is great and the class has been a great joy. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us and giving us a little wisdom.
Let me start by saying, I think i may be cheating on this assignment. You told me to go to the writing center and do this, but it was all filled up so I came straight home and am now doing it. This "Letter to a student" is not nearly as harsh as I would have made it, if it were me in your shoes. You are a wonderful teacher and i do believe every single person that comes out of your class comes out a writer. You really do take more time with helping your students than i have ever seen another teacher do. The way your blog shows that you care about your students doesn't even begin to explain how much effort you really put into making us better writers. I actually have no idea if I'm fulfilling the requirements of the assignment with what I'm writing. I hope that all my grammar and punctuation is correct though, so that i will have one up on you. :) I am going to miss you Lynn, I hope you have a great Christmas
Daniel Spraggs
Mrs Salsi,
I want to say i am happy to now know that you don't expect us to know every detail in writing. It comforted me to read number six in your list of tips because i am definitely not a person who can remember every punctuation rule. Number four also helped me out. I have a careless habit of adding a lot of "that"s in my papers and most of the time they don't need to be there. I also recieved advice from number one. In every single paper i have ever wrote, there have always seemed to be at least twenty sentences out of it's correct place.
Even though you continuously made fun of Lucy and I all semester, i still enjoyed your class. I have experienced writing four different types of papers; three of which were my first times ever writing them. You have given me all sorts of new tips and advice on writing and i will take them with me into my college years after i finally graduate high school. I may even have a class with you next year and i know you would love it if you had Lucy and I both in the same class again!
Courtney Jones
Mrs. Salsi,
Your teaching style makes learning easy for anyone. I have not been in an English class in more than a decade, and to be honest, I was dreading it. Five minutes into the first day of class, I knew that your class was going to be a wonderful experience. THANK YOU for what YOU do! Teachers like you are few and far between.
C.Cole
Eng 111
Dear Mrs. Salsi
I really think this is a very helpful information letter. I want to thank you for this information
that you have took your time for students to know this hopefully any student who will read
this information will learns something that will help them to success in the future.
Stronge communication skills and knowing all of the English rules is very helpfull tool
that will help you in a long run in the future. Specially for us students must know basic
language rules and also needs to know how to turn in your work. I really like the
information that you have put it in for all the student to know this kind of basic language
skills. This is something i have mention in the top of this page this information will help
student in the future in a four year university or any higher educational insitutions.
Generally speaking most of the student do not think of their language use in the
communication ending up their habits of speaking in the same will not be excepted in
the business writing or any thing involving business. In the you have also mention to us
how businesses are using stronge communications skills so i am really your class it is
helpful course to know how to be success in any major we joining now will make the
difference of the communication. Once againg Thank You very much Mrs. Salsi
for taking extra time to mention the information about the language importance and the
grammar, proof reading your work. May god bless for everything Mrs. Salsi.