Donald Graves: A Fresh Look at Writing – Expectations

I first met my friend Donald Graves in 1992 when I attended the University of New Hampshire Writing Program. Donald has had a greater impact on my teaching than any other mentor. When I visit writing classes to see if they are successful I always use his chapter titled, “The Seven Conditions for Effective Writing, from his book, A Fresh Look at Writing, 1994 , to determine if that teacher is on the right track. He writes:

I have high expectations for every one of my students. To have high expectations is a sign caring. Perhaps you have been in a class or a learning situation in which it is clear that the teacher wonders how you got in. When the teacher’s eyes scan the class, they seldom rest on your face as if you knew something. Of course, there are times when you might wish to remain unknown and undiscovered. But when you teach, your task is to find out what your students know, to show them how to put what they know into words, and to expect them to do it

“What are you working at in order to be a better writer?” This familiar question is one I ask a lot because I assume that everyone develops objectives in order to improve as a writer. I expect young writers to experiment, and I nudge them into trying new things in their writing. 

I have high expectations for every one of my students. To have high expectations is a sign caring. Perhaps you have been in a class or a learning situation in which it is clear that the teacher wonders how you got in. When the teacher’s eyes scan the class, they seldom rest on your face as if you knew something. Of course, there are times when you might wish to remain unknown and undiscovered. But when you teach, your task is to find out what your students know, to show them how to put what they know into words, and to expect them to do it

 

“What are you working at in order to be a better writer?” This familiar question is one I ask a lot because I assume that everyone develops objectives in order to improve as a writer. I expect young writers to experiment, and I nudge them into trying new things in their writing.