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Honestly

Posted by: eored on Feb 18, 21:48 in response to Rocket123's post Sorry, it was a speech. My bad for terming it an essay.

terming it a speech or essay does make a difference. But in grading the "work" if that would be a better term, it doesn't make a difference other than adding or taking away an element of grading.

They both have to hit the points that are trying to be made, difference is the communiction method.

As a speech I'd still say the highest she could get would be a B and if the communication with the audience hits home and given the references to familiar media they probably would, B+. If the class level of writing is low, yeah I'd grade higher. If the level of education or educator is low, the grade is higher.

My only real point of reference though would be American education. That would be teaching 4 years of high school and 14 years of post secondary.

I honestly don't know how things are done up North, but students on both coasts of the US are already familiar with MLA or some form of citation writing by their sophmore year at the latest (generally start grade 7-8) if they are taking a college prep course load.

Also, IQ has nothing to do with writing. Poignant has nothing to do with student academic writing/research papers. Writing academically (for students) is actually very simple.

Have a theme/thesis statement. Support that statement. When you make claims in support of your statement, back those claims up with information. Closing statement to say why your thesis is correct, most of which should have been in the body of the writing. Then tighten up your writing transtions, eliminate pronouns, maybe kill some of the more obvious counter arguments.

None of that is being a snob. None of that is being an academic elitist. Its just grading technically (for a high school student in the US doing college prep course work). She could be writing about Ancient Aliens or Pokemon is superior to Bakugan. If she's giving supporting data in a clear, coherent way with a solid structure it gets a good grade.

Now here would be where it'll sound elitist/snobby. If I were grading it as an essay in a 9th grade English class in the US, I'd give it a B. If it was the 10th grade, I'd give it a C to C-. And if it was the 11th-12th grade, I'd give it back to the student and tell them to review MLA.

Prepping a student to write papers in college. That reflects on me and if they don't know how by the time I'm done with them that's my failure. And if a teacher sees my grading otherwise, that says more about them and their standards than it does about mine.

And if any of that is offensive in any way....sorry, it is what it is.

How the Entertainment Industry is Lacking Creativity...essay/speech by 14 year old girl. Rocket123 Feb 18, 16:30

Your daughter misses going to the movies. Come on Rocket, that's your cue. {nm} JMT-NL Feb 18, 16:50

I know, I feel terrible about it too. I drive by the theatre from time to time to see what is showing and just am not inspired. Rocket123 Feb 18, 20:28

Most impressive. Looking forward to her follow-up essay (tongue firmly in cheek). {nm} RotoHockeyYTD2012 Feb 18, 16:50

Barney Stinson's oldest rule: New is always better! {nm} Austinmh Feb 18, 17:06

She's 14 and she wrote this? Wow. (IM) Paul2k Feb 18, 17:08

I think you and your wife did a good job teaching her to think for herself, Rocket. That essay was extremely well-written. {nm} accountant_4_Jesus Feb 18, 17:23

We encourage free thought in my house. It's the only thing people can't control. What we think is ours alone. "Analytical" is in 'da genes. {nm} Rocket123 Feb 18, 20:43

That young lady has been granted an honorary Little Sistership at Delta House. She describes deftly the reason the Deltas see approximately DTXbro Feb 18, 17:37

Thanks for the sentiment. Rocket123 Feb 18, 20:38

Very impressive! Will you let us know how the speech/essay did , meaning what grade did she receive. You should be very proud! {nm} damenchipguy Feb 18, 17:40