<p>I am returning to our freshman writing program after being out for a couple years, and spent an hour yesterday with the director, going over how they’re approaching things these days. BAsically ( and this is a very surface level summary), in the first semester, they emphasize basic argument structure and analysis. So essays will generally be in response to a single source. Summary will also be taught, so students will show they understand what they read and can put it in their own words. Original thinking, then, would be how they analyze and respond to others’ thoughts, and structure this into an essay.</p>
<p>Second semester will emphasize synthesis–reading, understanding, and analyzing several sources and presenting one’s own idea on a subject based on these tasks, culminating with writing a research paper.</p>
<p>To address another point:
Hugcheck–this may be true, but it represents a real failure in that student’s comprehension. How, on any level, is presenting someone else’s analysis the same thing as analyzing yourself, no matter how much you like, understand, and agree with the analysis you present?</p>
<p>As far as GFG’s problem with original idea–that does not coincide with any experience I had in several good universities and colleges, either as a student, teacher, parent or colleague. There’s something odd about that story–either the prof was just nuts, or we’re not getting some piece of information.</p>
<p>Students are supposed to think originally; as I said above, I much prefered doing my own analysis, and was generally rewarded for original thinking. I don’t know why I student would be quesetioned for this. I don’t think it’s something the average student needs to be wary of.</p>