At odds...

It appears some educators are at odds. Are multigenre projects it? Or, are traditional essays and research papers still top dog?

Personally, I believe we can gather some invaluable tenets of writing if we compare traditional and alternative papers.

I found a few characteristics of writing that cross genres:

1. Process is more important than product.

Supporters of both multigenre and research papers argue in defense of the discovery and revision process. The best work is the result of multiple drafts, conferences, and peer reviews.

2. "Perfunctory 'for the teacher writing' to committed writing" (Gillespie, 678).

Regardless of the paper's objective, thesis, or audience, student writing needs to focus on a theme, idea, or question that inspires them. Too often, students are content with completing the minimum amount of work. Educators argue that students will make an effort if they are passionate about the subject.

3. Form relies on content.

Although this notion is common practice in teaching multigenre papers, even traditionalists (or supporters of the research paper) argue that ideas, supporting material, and purpose shape the format of the paper. Wesley writes, "I have found the essays that best fulfill format requirements often turn out to be neatly packaged but intellectually vapid" (59). Dornan et. al. also suggests that the primary concern is the organization of information based on the ideas at hand...not inserting information into a five paragraph structure.

There are certainly more characteristics that cross genres, but these are a few main concepts that I felt many of the articles touched on.

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I also couldn't help pondering, as I read about research and multigenre papers, what would Delpit say? What about Freire? (I realize these authors were assigned for another class...but still, as their voices echo in my mind...I gotta respond to them!)
I have a feeling Delpit would argue for the need to assign and teach more traditional papers. She would defend them on the basis that the analytic essay uses the language of power. It's the writing that is expected in college, in companies. If we did not teach the essay, the research paper, we would be withholding the means to equal opportunity from the less privileged. However, Delpit would also emphasize and make explicit the language of power used in these essays (rather than teach without answering "Why?").
And Freire? My hunch is that he might explore the analytical essay...but I think he would encourage his students to write in a non-oppressive way. The creative freedom and expression would appeal to Freire. Still, he would encourage his students to write pieces with intellectual depth and a focus on well-organized rhetoric.