Details

Details are important in writing. But how much is necessary? I ask this because some of the "professional" comments in The Twelve Readers' Responses are a bit too fastidious. White, for example, thinks the names of flowers should be stated (p. 48, bottom paragraph), and that David B. should be more specific about "that special person" he is referring to (p. 50, 2nd paragraph). I find such needs for specificity to be overparticular and detrimental to the confidence of a student. I don't need to know what breed of flowers are being planted or if "that special person" refers to a girlfriend, boyfriend, or an alien to get a good sense of what is being communicated. These are just two examples where I find myself asking "did your really have to put 'detail' next to this?" Ultimately, every reader will have different expectations. But if a teacher is attempting to instill confidence in a student, he/she should be demanding about what is important - and I guess what is important can be debated. In any case, I think we've all agreed the more markings a student paper has the more detrimental it can be for development. I really can't suggest any solutions for when it's necessary to ask for details. We all have our own proclivities and interpretations with regards to reading. That some professionals were asking for details where I wouldn't have is something I noticed upon my second reading of The Twelve Readers' Responses.