Bad form!
On July 18, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampCaptain Hook is my favorite villain. Something about his utter self-absorption reminds me of Peter Pan. In the boy we find the attitude charming. In Hook it is gross and evil.
Hook’s rules for self-governance are in accordance with what we are led to think is an higher authority and his staunch adherence to the code of form makes him seem like he is a slave to limitations. It is hard to fathom that the lithe and glib Pan is adherent to the same form. But if that were not true then neither of them would be so well-suited for their nemesis.
“Bad form!” Hook exclaims when Peter gleefully breaks the rules of engagement. Peter is cheeky enough to break the rules of battle, but also grave enough to turn at Hook’s complaint and substantiate the claim of Form itself: that the limitations of form create a fairness for the two enemies. There are rules to be followed and neither childish play nor austere Evil can dismiss them.
Form eludes students while content is every student’s dream. The question of topic–the choice of which approach to explore–even choosing a rhetorical mode evokes a sense of exploration and liberty.
Grammar and formatting are stifling constraints. As elusive as free writing is, it is inviting. And the invitation for that kind of childlike wonder leads students to a belief that academic writing would suit them better if only there were fewer rules. Maybe that is true. But I don’t think it is. After all, even Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn’t grow up, played by the rules.
What can a student do when her interest is preoccupied with content and when she has no care for form? Two resources can help:
- Brainfuse: a company that helps students order their essays according to whichever format their teacher has specified. After the student submits her rough draft, an online tutor examines the student’s essay and then offers feedback. The student takes her proofread essay and makes changes before turning in the final draft. I’ve seen this service improve student work so much that I began incorporating a slideshow wiki for how to access their services each semester. Most students who use Brainfuse see approximately 10 points improvement on average.
- Grammarly: this is a company, also web-based that appreciates form–grammar, punctuation and usage, mechanics and spelling. Run by algorithms and probably AI, Grammarly offers useful real-time suggested edits that actually help a student realize better ways of expressing their thoughts. It itself is a teaching tool and that’s pretty neat.
No serviceable writing would ask that form be done away with. Neither of these services offer to do away with form. What they do, do is offer a better way of teaching modern student writers the rules of engagement.