Chapter 3 of Cohesive Writing

The essay written on teen suicide was so well-written I had forgotten that it was a female who had written it. She got into character so well – almost too well. That is something which this chapter addresses as well. Jago writes, “No wonder many English teachers are shying away from creative writing” (49). I can definitely see where the rising violence in schools and the need for teachers to report any suspicions would give rise to problems where creative writing is concerned. If we think about it, what are most books about? There are at least one or two violent or traumatic things that happen to propel the plot and give rise to the climax.
By making it taboo for students to write about violence or traumatic events (something they may see or experience daily) we put our students in a box where they are forced to write cookie-cutter stories, with dry or contrived plots. Sure, there are some great stories without any violence or trauma.. none that I can think of at the moment, but I’m sure they are out there. Somewhere.