Kurt Vonnegut shows students how to write with style
September 2, 2008
Many of the English teachers out there already have the first week of school finished. You’ve passed out your syllabus and given out that classic first writing assignment: “Myself as a Writer.” It’s a great way for you to get their self-assessment of their own writing skills while they’re also consciously or unconsciously demonstrating to you their technical grasp on the rules of writing. As a practical tool, the “Myself as a Writer” assignment is indeed valuable.
Now, if my calculations are correct, all that unpleasant self-assessment should at least have your students semi-aware that they are terrible writers. Their self-esteem is shattered, their dreams of being the next literary giant are smashed, and they have been broken down. Perfect… now is your chance to build them back up again! Alright, maybe your teaching methods aren’t as severe as mine.
While you’re slogging through that first round of writing assignments one problem might pop up: the assignment was exciting for them to write, it’s not terribly exciting for you to read. Wouldn’t it be great if they could punch up their future assignments and throw in some style? Point them towards Kurt Vonnegut’s essay, How to Write With Style, reprinted from his book, Palm Sunday, for the web by San Diego State University’s Department of English & Comparative Literature. It’s straightforward, awesome advice from one of the masters. You should seriously make it required reading for the first and last day of your class, while having it on hand all throughout. – NICK YINGLING
