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Are essays the answer?

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MadSteezin
Posts: 4572 - Karma: 936
My teacher recently strayed from the norm of writing an essay on a topic after reading a book in class. Instead we have to create a playlist by finding 5 songs that relate to things in the book and annotate the lyrics from one song. I think this leaves room for creativity and such rather than the classic essay. Why aren't more assignments like this?

Anyways, my question is do you think that essays are always the answer to evaluating your critical thinking and understanding of a book or such?
May 6 2010 10:59PM
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VanMelle
Posts: 1277 - Karma: 1,141
Damn, I heard of teachers doing stuff like this before. I absolutely hate essays and feel they are a complete waste since you never really do something like that in "the real world". Why cant you just simple right a review, or critique of the book or subject your covering, but that idea is tight and a good teacher who wants to connect with their students will find new and exciting ways to complete assignments.
May 6 2010 11:04PM
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yellav
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 1,217
there are many many professions where essay/report style writing is a pretty pivotal role of the career.
May 6 2010 11:06PM
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blindside
Posts: 5619 - Karma: 1,199
I don't think they are THE definitive answer. However, proper essay writing is a skill I think everyone should be equipped with.
May 6 2010 11:08PM
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pianoman
Posts: 2503 - Karma: 779
everyone hates essays. doesn't mean they aren't fabulous tools for learning and analyzing. they happen to suck but they also test your knowledge and writing capabilities really well and they're an important skill. too bad, eh?
May 6 2010 11:09PM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
essays arent the only answer, but the level of most high school graduates writing these days is PATHETIC. so i can see why they have kids write mre.
May 6 2010 11:10PM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15951 - Karma: 9,451
some of the stuff i read on the internet is hilarious but super well writen at the same time. i wish teachers taught as that
May 6 2010 11:13PM
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oreopancake.
Posts: 2596 - Karma: 21
I hate doing essays in my class because my teacher pretty much tells us what to write, so there is no creative freedom. It'll be like, your opening paragraph must include this, that, etc. Then your first body paragraph must include 3 specific examples of how so-and-so displays whatever the fuck we're talking about. The only thing we pretty much get to do is write it and change the words.
May 6 2010 11:49PM
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Delphi
Posts: 3748 - Karma: 36
I wish historians could synthesis playlists and shit...that would make my job a hell of a lot more simple.
May 7 2010 12:02AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
hahaha "pick 5 songs whose lyrics represent the russian revolution in 1905"
May 7 2010 12:06AM
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OhMyBosh
Posts: 5056 - Karma: 171
You can still be creative with an essay, and it is the best way to demonstrate your understanding of the material at the same time.
May 7 2010 12:10AM
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Billek
Posts: 5665 - Karma: 98
I feel that essays are the best way of demonstrating knowledge on most subjects in most circumstances.

Those of you that say there is a lack of creativity when it comes to essays, and that teachers tell you what to write- you are still in the learning stages of writing.  You will have all the freedom in the writing world once you enter college.
May 7 2010 12:16AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
though some shouldn't. im frightened by the level of writing demonstrated by many freshmen, and even sophomores in college.
May 7 2010 12:19AM
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oreopancake.
Posts: 2596 - Karma: 21
Oh yeah I know it will be way better when I get to college, but it's frustrating knowing that I have the abilities to write an original piece of work using my own thinking and understanding, whilst being held-back by the incompetence of my peers.
May 7 2010 12:21AM
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oreopancake.
Posts: 2596 - Karma: 21
Oh yeah I know it will be way better when I get to college, but it's frustrating knowing that I have the abilities to write an original piece of work using my own thinking and understanding, whilst being held-back by the incompetence of my peers.
May 7 2010 12:22AM
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Billek
Posts: 5665 - Karma: 98
Let em' write!  If anything, it makes me look better.
May 7 2010 12:24AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
haha this is true. I just read some stuff and go "how did you even make it into college?"

I'm not talking about a lack of evidence and things of that nature. I'm talking just awful sentence structure, punctuation, etc. Things they should have learned in middle and high school.
May 7 2010 12:28AM
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NataliePortman
Posts: 1382 - Karma: 84
essays purely prepare u for college, not writing essays in your english class just proves that america is headed south.
May 7 2010 12:28AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
essays just teach you proper mechanics and what not.

that being said, only 2 writing classes needed for ENGR majors, FTW
May 7 2010 12:33AM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,240
yeaaa boyyyyy
May 7 2010 12:34AM
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Delphi
Posts: 3748 - Karma: 36
dude, I'm an editor for UVM's history review and you wouldn't believe the shit we got for submissions this semester...it was excruciating reading some of these things. Elementary school quality, so awful.
May 7 2010 12:38AM
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