We’ll use Perusall to annotate and read together. 
“Please write a 5 paragraph bullshit”
In my everyday life, I think I read a lot of things. News articles, social media posts (very educational), and of course school, I spend all day reading and writing. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that a 5 paragraph essay isn’t something common in everyday life… I mean where are we supposed to read them? On twitter? Facebook? LA Times? Idk, I don’t think we’re meant to find them everywhere other than educational essays…. not that I think it’s right to use that format.
I was taught the 5 paragraph essay in jr. high (when I moved to the US) and it resonated with me because I was taught that was the only way to write an essay. I mean how COULD YOU write an essay without an introduction and a thesis statement?? You can’t begin your essay without it.
I personally see that as a horrible way to learn a new skill because every student will take it differently. I think by now, students are just used to this template they have in their head to start their papers/essays. Some people find it easier, some don’t. I don’t think it’s easier, I actually believe in starting your essay in the middle of it. Get all of the ideas you wanna write about and just write, then go back to the beginning and write an introduction that ACTUALLY states what your essay is going to be about instead of the intro saying one thing which might change as you continue to write… but that’s just me.
One Reply to ““Please write a 5 paragraph bullshit””
Nice blog! I relate because I like to go back and finish or write my introductions and conclusions after I have the content of my essay written. Some people might find a template helpful when they haven’t written many essays before, but it’s not helpful when they think that is HOW you write an essay and it’s either right or wrong. Students also won’t think of writing as serving any real purpose other than fulfilling a teacher’s guidelines and they won’t think of writing as a tool they can use to accomplish their own goals; it’s onlya tool to meat the goals or criteria of a teacher.