It Takes a Village to Raise a Writer: Making the Teaching of Writing a Schoolwide Focus

McCarthy, Edmund (2008).It takes a village to raise a writer: Making the teaching of writing a schoolwide focus. Independent School. 67, 74,76-8.

The author raised some questions for school administrators and authority figures about teaching writing in their schools. The primary goal of teaching writing is to prepare students to think critically and creatively and to express themselves clearly and thoughtfully.
Some schools have comprehensive programs and require their students to write often in all classes at all levels. However, other schools are too satisfied with writing curricula that views the English teacher as the school’s sole expert and sole instructor of writing, which is completely wrong, because there are some subjects the English teacher does not understand well, such chemistry, math biology etc… Therefore, it is not practical for English teachers to be the ringmasters of writing instructions. Nowadays students use different technological devices to communicate such as computer, cell phones etc… Texting by using technology tools increases students’ fluency, but deteriorates their understanding of grammar, usage and spelling. Instant messaging and emails invite abbreviated meanings and gross-rule breaking which result in poor writing. To improve writing in high schools the article suggests moving the writing support outside the classroom setting. Schools need to develop writing centers for conducting workshops on writing, special events such as poetry slams, drama nights, music events etc…
Writing is a means of communication and it is a difficult skill because the writer is not present when the communication takes place. Therefore, accuracy is very essential in order to reflect our message. I think that the author neglected the role of the professional development programs for teachers in order to improve their performance and to enhance their learners' writing skills.’