9:15 – 9:45 AM | Drinko Library 349
Abstract: The use of templates to teach expository writing has become commonplace, yet the practice has not been without controversy. The well-known textbook They Say, I Say, by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein has enjoyed much success, in part because it aims to demystify academic discourse. One of its features, however, has invited dissent: its use of templates, or stock phrases, to guide students as they write. Some templates, such as “X insists ___” or “X observes ___,” are quite brief; others, like “Although I agree with X up to a point, I cannot accept his overall conclusion that ____,” are longer. In addition, many editions of TSIS contain essays on pop culture as well as academic subjects from a range of authors. These function as implicit templates, as students are encouraged to emulate the voices and styles of these models. Several of these templates, in addition, are annotated by the authors. This presentation will focus on the uses of templates in the WAC classroom, considering ways to make the practice more effective.
Facilitator: Timothy Burbery (Professor, English)
Session Format: HyFlex