Blog #11: Ranting about Mutnick and Lamos

Okay. Today's issue is brought to you by the letters B and W.  Basic Writers. I am forced to ask the question - are these approaches to teaching BW a joke? Ha. Ha. While I understand a need for assessment and identification for Basic Writers, I don't see the rhyme or reason behind this....this. "Error-Centered Analysis"? God. Albeit a good point was made, that various groups worry about "marginalizing" BW. But, isn't that what they already are? I feel that this is no different than saying, "those aren't homeless people! they're just down-on-their-luck-billionaires!". No. Just like giving every child a participation trophy is bad for competition, acting like BW are on the same field as AW (Advanced Writers) is not only unfair to the advanced party, but to the basics as well. I wouldn't want to be held to a standard I wasn't prepared to reach - that's not right. While BW need attention, we should focus on getting them through that stage and slowly working elements of AW into that pedagogy; kind of like working the flour into a mixture when baking a cake - add a little bit at a time and stir it in, or you'll fuck up the whole cake.