College Essays

In my last discussion, I highlighted the problems created by college newspapers. Similar patterns can be observed in relation to college essays.

Upon entering the English department earlier this week, someone remarked that I was becoming an essay writing “machine”. This idea stuck with me and it is only now that I have fully understood the connotations of such a statement. The college systems absolutely encourage the creation of mechanical essay construction. In effect, we are given the input values of a title, word count, relevant texts and a due date and expected to output an argument.

But this cold and calculating method of composition inhibits real creativity and diversity. Students simply go through the motions of writing essays and never feel the desire, or indeed are given the time, to develop and impart their own personal views. I understand the practical necessities of these essays, but through them students are effectively being made into hacks before they even leave college.

There are simple solutions to these problems. If the due dates of essays were spread out adequately, time would be afforded for real engagement with these questions. In addition to this, when lecturers allow students to create their own essay titles and bring in external material, they encourage a personal approach to assessment. The system is not so much broken, as it is in need of some delicate tweaking.

In this way, the passion and love a student has for a subject can be nurtured and developed into a viable life tool.

-The English Student