Steve,
I have found it a very frustrating prescription for language learners
from cultures where the generic conventions of writing and the whole
rhetorical structuring of thoughts onto paper (or keyboards) is
different. This is a big debate in TESOL and one that isn't helped by
the major publishers who keep on putting out textbooks prescribing a
process within the 5-para framework.
Phil
On Nov 17, 2003, at 4:15 AM, Steve Gabosch wrote:
> Thanks, Peter!
>
> As for my own reaction to the format, insisting on an introductory
> paragraph near the beginning and a summary paragraph near the end
> makes some sense - it is certainly a common practice in general, and
> is often appreciated by readers who want to be sure they are following
> the writer's thinking. I could live with that, and more or less try
> to follow it myself. But where does the idea of "three" major points
> come from - three, not two, not four - and even more stultifying, a
> separate paragraph for each one? That sounds to me like insisting
> that all birthday presents should be wrapped in the same size box. I
> can see why it can be despised!
>
> - Steve
>
>
> At 07:56 AM 11/16/03 -0500, you wrote:
>> Steve, I've been travelling....sorry for the delay in responding.
>> The 5 paragraph theme is the reigning template for teaching writing
>> in US secondary schools. It's also known as the 3-point theme (and by
>> !#! who-is-at #!#@ by people who don't like it). Paragraph #1 is the
>> introductory paragraph which states the paper's thesis and outlines
>> its 3 major points. Paragraphs 2-4 are each dedicated to the 3 major
>> points. Paragraph #5 summarizes what the writer said in #s 1-4. The
>> thinking is that writers can extrapolate from this form to produce
>> any argument.
>>
>> I'll attach the article, which is a case study of one young teacher
>> who adopts the FPT as her main vehicle for teaching writing. The
>> opening section summarizes the discussion surrounding the
>> advisability of teaching this form.
>>
>> Peter
>
>
>
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