Yes, I believe I do agree with Dr. Wright's critique. I just wish
it was aimed at something like Emile rather than progressives.
In regard to your final question, I suppose the presentation I gave
for ATEG at the most recent NCTE conference might provide an answer. I
described my use of the descriptive vocabulary provided by grammar to
define voice and rhetorical style. Most of my students are
law-fearing writers: they write grammatically sound prose which no one
I know would wish to read. So, for example, I might distribute a
passage written by Orwell from which I have removed all the
punctuation. They must then punctuate it and explain their choices.
Inevitably, they produce a range of solutions, most of which would
pass editorial scrutiny. We then compare their solutions to Orwell's
own. The exercise usually produces an interesting discussion about the
artistic deployment of punctuation, one which they can only understand
and articulate by using grammatical terms. At this point they
now understand my definition for an A grade on writing mechanics:
"no errors of grammar, spelling, capitalization; transgressions
artistically defensible." In order to bend or break the rules of
standard grammar as they write their own papers, in other words, they
need to identify the rules they are bending or breaking and identify
an explicitly rhetorical intention for doing so. Our classroom
exercises inform their practice and their defense of their practice. I
suppose the encouragement to bend rules would conform to a definition
of a progressive approach; it certainly feels different and
progressive to them. And, as I think you'd agree, it is not a
romantic approach.
Michael Dee
Michael,
I think the fact that Edmond is writing us from England ought
to get him at least mildly off the hook.
The progressive movement in American politics has a very proud
history, especially in the early twentieth century. I'm not sure many
Americans understand that, let alone someone from another country.
Am I right that you agree with Edmond in other ways?
Can you give us a description of what a true progressive would
say in relation to things like "craft,"
"discipline", and "grammar"?
Craig
Michael Dee wrote:
In my lifetime, progressive causes have
been routinely disparaged by the logic evident in Dr. Wright's
definition: renounce the general term (and its proponents) by
identifying it with an obviously flawed subcategory or remote
relative. If you doubt the efficacy of this rhetorical strategy,
consider the fate of "liberal." Believe me, my rage at
the predominance of conservative politics in this country can easily
match Dr. Wright's passionate criticism of romantic idealism. Not only
that: I would agree with the criticism, particularly as it applies to
educational principles and practices. And for that very reason I
object to casting progressives as childish idealists.
More passion available upon request.
Michael Dee
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