I will also second @doschicos comment. The military has a unique requirement for terse, tightly-structured writing that is relentlessly enforced. Many struggle with it, but ChoatieCadet has not. He had to adapt to the style, but not the stucture; it’s just a leaner form of what he learned at BS.
As an English major and former editor myself, I am thrilled when I read well-written, properly constructed writing. For most, this is something that is learned. Be happy your daughter is learning these valuable lessons.
I remember reading somewhere that Picasso had the ability to draw and paint in almost a photorealistic manner, that his natural ability to execute perfect renderings of the world and his mastery of traditional painting technique were almost unparalleled. Picasso! You’d never guess he had that ability based on just about every painting of his you’ve ever seen.
Sometimes - no, all the time - the best and most creative artists know exactly where the guideposts are, and those who most appreciate their work understand that their deviations from “the norm” are intentional and not accidental.
Good point and one that @SculptorDad might find useful in relaying to his daughter who is artistic. Whether for writing, cooking, dance, art, music, whatever, a “classical” foundation is very desirable.
Akin to what @doschicos said, the nice thing about learning a strict structure is that you also learn how to depart from it when you’re on your own. But then you will be doing it intentionally and not because you don’t know any “better.”
Many of the best writers I have met in the professional world are products of Catholic schools. I’m rather certain that they were taught the rules in that system before or while developing their own writing style.
Looking at it from another way: since she is struggling to conform to what I assume are standards conventions in good writing, it might be even more important for her to learn this way of writing now. These schools have been teaching kids to write analytically and critically for many years now.
For what it is worth, I take all complaints and calls home with a grain of salt. I am not saying that you should dismiss anything your child tells you, but complaints rarely come when things are easy. Working your way through difficult things is a terrific growth process.
Content is only one part of the equation. Knowing the material (or all the answers) is not the same thing as being able to analyze that knowledge and to communicate it in a mature, well written way.
Your daughter was bound to have an adjustment period coming from her unique background. Give her time to do so, and trust the school to get her there.
It’s far better to adjust to conventions in high school than in college.
For what it’s worth, my children had the necessity of a thesis statement emphasized to them in middle school–and their elementary school teachers had built the early framework for structured essays. She’s venting to you; it’s quite possible she realizes she’s behind her peers right now in developing this skill.
There’s a time for unstructured writing, in which you’re just getting the ideas down. It is necessary, though, to have a command of essay structures and conventions.
Overall I agree with all the other responders to the question, but I am going to say that I had a teacher for 9th grade English who had some rules I found ridiculous, and I still am annoyed whenever I think about it! You couldn’t start 2 sentences in a row with the same word. You couldn’t start more than 1 sentence in a paragraph with the word “The”. You couldn’t use passive voice. There were others that I am forgetting. The first essay I wrote for that class, on the book 1984 (in the year 1984), received a C-, and I was horrified because I had never received that low of a grade in my life. I still am kind of scarred by that class. I didn’t like the teacher at all, and although many of my fellow classmates remember him as their favorite teacher. I simply do not understand why. However, it was a lesson for me in how to deal with a very rigid person and structure, and I will say that experience comes in handy in my career once in a while!
"You couldn’t start 2 sentences in a row with the same word. You couldn’t start more than 1 sentence in a paragraph with the word “The”. You couldn’t use passive voice. "
The complete bar on using passive voice is unnecessarily rigid. Like many other usages, the passive voice has its place and advanced writers in high school are able to use it effectively.
Learning to write in a structured, formal way will serve this girl well. She may learn to appreciate the conventions as she becomes more used to them and she may discard some of them as she gains greater sophistication and facility. Let her vent but express your support for the teacher and the skills she is acquiring.
As a writer and editor, I have never forgotten my BS poetry professor’s comment: “You have to know the rules before you can break them.” It still holds true. Chimneykid had an adjustment period when she first arrived at BS and again this year when the requirements changed in college, but she figured out the new expectations and regained her mojo. Strong writers will absorb the rules and then incorporate or even subvert them so that they work to their advantage. You have to play scales before you play Beethoven.
@SculptorDad I assume your daughter is home for winter break? How is she? I hope she is catching up on her rest and that you are enjoying quality time together.
@doschicos, she is a happy girl again as soon as the midterm was ended. Met her friends at rock climbing gym last week, and will be visiting another friend’s home this week.
