from Keith Hjortshoj, The Transition to College Writing, Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001.
Notes by Bradley Dilger
Basics differ b/w college and HS
Is it luck? No reliable standards? Quote bottom 32.
Conflicting ideas: (1) all good writing has basic principles; (2) features of good writing vary.
Analogy of footstool maker 33-34.
Writing critical in academy; you are apprentice. Apprentice form is “footstool” essay.
Bottom 35 good list of questions.
Limitations of footstool: intro, body, conclusion. Three points. 5P or “keyhole.” Basic outline. Good for timed work. [Also the language.]
37: “does not work very well or for very long.”
Repetitive example essay 37-39. “rigid, skeletal.”
Empty formality, not thoughtful response. [Like “you too” to worker at the airport.] Filling space. Not the kind of writing which cuts it in real world. [Compare to ESPN, etc.]
Takes the place of thinking: how is “stresses outside” a problem inside? Look at repetitive nature of intro/conclusion: how does that add? [Exercise: cross out all repetitive.]
(40) Purpose: standardized tests. Get something on page under pressure. [No 5P in real world writing!]
Lincoln, tricolon: 40. From bible to present. [Adapt a lot of speech; “say, say, say.” OK for speech but not writing.]
Need to be flexible! [So we engage variety of forms. That's why I talk about sports, etc. as much as examples from WV.]
What remains true: critical. Read points: 5P limiting, three doesn't always work, thesis not always in 1P, don't always need strong argument, etc. No recipe.
Footstool, with mods, OK for some things (41). Science, labs.
B M E defined briefly bottom 41. Narration. Long def 42:
Beginning: point of departure.
Middle: transitions, smooth, organized. Not random. Can't reorder. [Matter of just a few words! Revision.]
Ending: destination. NOT ALWAYS FORMAL. New question, detail, direction.
5P essay earlier lacked movement, direction. Intro and conclusion same. Didn't go anywhere. [Makes reader feel she learned nothing.]
Try better alternative 43-4: analogy, personal details, conclusion, careful selection, sharp ending.
Plan 44: think about it. Not just filling slot. Worked through and revised. Invention: drafting as exploration.
Critical bottom 44.
Problem top 45: not form but substitute for thinking & engagement.
Tedious: for you and for teacher. Better definition of essay 45.
Recipe or template? Some writing does have rigid form. OK. But that doesn't mean we use for everything. Structure is just one feature.