The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

Analysis & Response 135 advantage from such a system. While this solution would help some students greatly, such as those who are more extroverted, those who require contemplation and deep thought before speaking, those who are more introverted, will learn little. The second solution is also ineffective. Besides the fact that some students will lack motivation to collaborate on writing assignments, other students will continue to work together even though they are forbidden from sharing information. Dave, from Lucille Parkinson’s study, confessed that he talked about his poetry paper with his girlfriend, against the expressed desire of his professor (257).While these solutions will not, there is a solution that is simple and can easily remedy the problem. This lack of social interaction within writing can be corrected by fostering classroom discussion, encouraging the critique of trained individuals, and implementing peer criticism. Students lose social interaction because professors do not permit the students to discuss class material. While I do not think professors should require discussion, I believe that professors should stimulate and encourage such discussion. The professor must not force discussion, but should instead give students an opportunity to offer their opinions. Social writing also allows the professor to correct inaccurate assumptions students make about the material. Many professors perceive education as solely a transfer of knowledge. While some excel at encouraging students to share their opinions and to learn through discussion, most professors approach education as lecture-based. However, for most students, a class in which taking notes alone is not an effective learning style. If a student can listen to the information, take notes, and discuss the thoughts posed by the professor, he or she remembers much more clearly and can use the gained knowledge. Discussion within the classroom, which is encouraged by the educator, will accomplish the goal of every professor: for the students to learn. For students like Dave, discussion aids in comprehension. In Dave’s poetry class, the professor could have discussed the poems with his students and permitted them to review the poetry amongst themselves. If he had, the students would have written much better because they understood the material. Classroom discussion would resolve the problem of lost social interaction with respect to writing. In addition to encouraging discussion, professors should implement peer evaluation as a solution to this social stagnation.