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
Showing posts with label the english student. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the english student. Show all posts
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
New Year Resolutions
Another holiday, another year, another chance to lie to ourselves.
Many people seem to use this time of year as an excuse to make grand and noble promises of self-improvement. While being questioned on this subject by friends, I was struck by the hypocrisy of the whole tradition. I find this ridiculous practice to be pointless in two respects.
Why do we try to deny who we are? Making unrealistic promises in a bid to obtain perfection can only lead to disappointment. While it is admirable to take steps towards self-improvement, it is utter folly to base these steps outside of reality.
But why should we need an excuse for self-improvement anyway? Every passing moment is a chance to make a redeeming effort. If we confine our quest for betterment to one occasion a year, we implicitly cause our growth to stagnate at other times. Pure intentions to seek change should come from life experience, not an arbitrary calendar date.
This year, I resolve to stop lying to myself and to forsake insincere promises and hollow attempts at improvement.
Many people seem to use this time of year as an excuse to make grand and noble promises of self-improvement. While being questioned on this subject by friends, I was struck by the hypocrisy of the whole tradition. I find this ridiculous practice to be pointless in two respects.
Why do we try to deny who we are? Making unrealistic promises in a bid to obtain perfection can only lead to disappointment. While it is admirable to take steps towards self-improvement, it is utter folly to base these steps outside of reality.
But why should we need an excuse for self-improvement anyway? Every passing moment is a chance to make a redeeming effort. If we confine our quest for betterment to one occasion a year, we implicitly cause our growth to stagnate at other times. Pure intentions to seek change should come from life experience, not an arbitrary calendar date.
This year, I resolve to stop lying to myself and to forsake insincere promises and hollow attempts at improvement.
-The English Student
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Securalism - Personal Affairs
"The road to the sacred leads through the secular." - Abraham Joshua Heschel
Religion no longer seems to have a spiritual basis, but rather a societal one. Listening to a preacher at one's chosen place of worship takes second place to creating appearances of attention to fellow worshipers. Some people even take their hollow evangelisation to the streets.
I have been stopped many times in numerous cities in this country by people preaching their religion. I must wonder what religious tenet it is that absolutely requires random strangers (such as I am to these people) to share a belief system. Is it a competition to see which religion garners more support, thereby confirming it to be the "correct" one?
I for one refuse to validate the wavering beliefs of these seemingly confused people. Even if I was compelled to, I very much doubt that there is anything that could be said to rejuvenate one's waning spirituality. These people mistakenly seek an answer to their subjective doubts in objective realms.
I could post my own beliefs here, but what would be the point? I do not require societal approval for personal philosophies.
-The English Student
Religion no longer seems to have a spiritual basis, but rather a societal one. Listening to a preacher at one's chosen place of worship takes second place to creating appearances of attention to fellow worshipers. Some people even take their hollow evangelisation to the streets.
I have been stopped many times in numerous cities in this country by people preaching their religion. I must wonder what religious tenet it is that absolutely requires random strangers (such as I am to these people) to share a belief system. Is it a competition to see which religion garners more support, thereby confirming it to be the "correct" one?
I for one refuse to validate the wavering beliefs of these seemingly confused people. Even if I was compelled to, I very much doubt that there is anything that could be said to rejuvenate one's waning spirituality. These people mistakenly seek an answer to their subjective doubts in objective realms.
I could post my own beliefs here, but what would be the point? I do not require societal approval for personal philosophies.
-The English Student
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Travel Literature
Beyond the confusing maritime language, travel literature can be said to have three things in common.
The seafarers of these stories refuse to abide by normal societal expectations. Gulliver's wanderlust causes him to leave his family on four occassions, while Crusoe and Rasselas recognise the advantage of their stations in life and yet reject them. These characters take to the sea, rebelling against their family, friends and responsibility.
The austere sea is enormous, bleak and solitary. It is into this physical isolation our protagonists arrive. There is no law at sea, no justice, no remorse and no mercy. These characters that have rejected society consequently find themselves at odds with humanity and as such, choose the only place devoid of this company.
Although our heroes set off as children, they return as adults, growing up abroad. In the case of Crusoe, it seems that he must undergo this experience on his island, as doing so at home would just further his contempt for the "middle life". Our travellers eventually learn that while we may often despise society, we cannot live without it.
While Swift asserts that "writers of travels...are sunk into oblivion", by using these three traits, their usefulness to humanity will always be recognised.
-The English Student
The seafarers of these stories refuse to abide by normal societal expectations. Gulliver's wanderlust causes him to leave his family on four occassions, while Crusoe and Rasselas recognise the advantage of their stations in life and yet reject them. These characters take to the sea, rebelling against their family, friends and responsibility.
The austere sea is enormous, bleak and solitary. It is into this physical isolation our protagonists arrive. There is no law at sea, no justice, no remorse and no mercy. These characters that have rejected society consequently find themselves at odds with humanity and as such, choose the only place devoid of this company.
Although our heroes set off as children, they return as adults, growing up abroad. In the case of Crusoe, it seems that he must undergo this experience on his island, as doing so at home would just further his contempt for the "middle life". Our travellers eventually learn that while we may often despise society, we cannot live without it.
While Swift asserts that "writers of travels...are sunk into oblivion", by using these three traits, their usefulness to humanity will always be recognised.
-The English Student
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Moralising Alcoholics
Last night, I was once again coerced into swearing off a substance.
Why is it that people feel the need to focus on my methods of sedation over their own, socially accepted techniques? It seems that my friends won't be happy until they have succesfully driven me to alcoholism on par with their own crippling addiction.
There is a very direct societal analogue to be observed here. Everyone has a tendency to numb, blur or even destroy their perception of reality from time to time. In such a harsh world, this kind of escapism is only natural. But there seems to be very few acceptable ways of doing this nowadays.
To relieve the stress of everyday life, it is completely satisfactory to get absolutely polluted with alcohol. But how many fights, verbal or otherwise, do we observe on a weekly basis due to this over indulgence of drink? How many people have been adversely affected by liver problems derived from alcoholic binges? It is my opinion therefore, that society has put emphasis on the wrong method of sedation.
I do not intend to post a pious "legalise it" rant. Rather, this is a suggestion that alcoholics, coffee addicts and heavy smokers look at their own vice, before condemning mine.
-The English Student
Why is it that people feel the need to focus on my methods of sedation over their own, socially accepted techniques? It seems that my friends won't be happy until they have succesfully driven me to alcoholism on par with their own crippling addiction.
There is a very direct societal analogue to be observed here. Everyone has a tendency to numb, blur or even destroy their perception of reality from time to time. In such a harsh world, this kind of escapism is only natural. But there seems to be very few acceptable ways of doing this nowadays.
To relieve the stress of everyday life, it is completely satisfactory to get absolutely polluted with alcohol. But how many fights, verbal or otherwise, do we observe on a weekly basis due to this over indulgence of drink? How many people have been adversely affected by liver problems derived from alcoholic binges? It is my opinion therefore, that society has put emphasis on the wrong method of sedation.
I do not intend to post a pious "legalise it" rant. Rather, this is a suggestion that alcoholics, coffee addicts and heavy smokers look at their own vice, before condemning mine.
-The English Student
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