When Not to Write an Essay

I'm all about essays. My curriculum teaches students a simple way to write essays. I think essays are grand, relatively easy pieces of writing that allow for a lot of individuality. That said, even I think there is a time not to write an essay. Let me explain.

Recently, I watched one of those wife swapping, spouse trading shows. One of the families was very organized and disciplined. They had a lot of good ideas, like teaching their kids to obey. Now there's a novel idea that I wish the general society would use more! I truly believe they meant well and had their kids' best interest at heart, but they had one practice that I simply cannot condone. They made their kids write essays when they disobeyed.

What??? Essays as punishment??? Are you kidding??? Let me halt my momentary overreaction to say that I'm sure that the kids probably did have to really think through some things and probably learned a thing or two during the writing of the essays. But from the standpoint of a writing instructor who regularly deals with kids, most of which have writing phobias of one form or another, I can't think of a quicker way to turn a kid off to writing.

Writing is not punishment and I don't think it's wise to portray it as such. To use writing as a form of punishment is to rank it right up there with spanking, time out, or getting grounded. Those are all things to be dreaded and avoided. Do we really want to give our kids the message that writing is something that you only do when you have done something wrong? Should it be dreaded and avoided at all cost? Is writing so undesirable that only the disobedient should be doing it?

Sorry I'm on my little soapbox, but I spend my time trying to undo the writing stigmas created by overly zealous teachers and parents. Often it takes weeks and months to get kids to let their guards down about writing and to see that it is actually a worthwhile endeavor and one that can be enjoyable and rewarding. Trust me, most kids don't need any help feeling like writing is a punishment. They need help overcoming that very idea. So when I see parents using it as a form of behavior modification it concerns me greatly.

Is there a time when you shouldn't assign an essay? Yes, when you are doing it as a form of punishment. If you really want your child to think through an act of disobedience send him to his room for half an hour and tell him to come back and orally tell you what he learned about his actions and consequences. Save writing for positive, uplifting things like love notes and silly stories or, perhaps, even expressing your opinion on a blog.