"Teaching the Write Way" by Becca

"Teaching the Write Way" by Becca - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

Everyone has their favorites; whether it is their favorite food, favorite movie, or in this case, their favorite academic subject. As I have reflected on my past academic involvement, I came to realize that I have always loved to write. If I were to switch roles with a teacher or a professor, I would choose to teach and encourage students to write because I believe that it can be the most useful. This academic subject allows people to think critically, evaluate their own arguments, and it even lets you express yourself as a person.
Being able to think critically doesn’t always pertain to the English subject. Critical thinking is a skill that can help when it comes to problem solving and it helps take into consideration the different opinions or values of someone else. Recognizing all sides of a problem can really help evaluate the reality of the situation. When you think about it, essays and prompts require students to come up with premises that will back up their initial claim. Sometimes even counter arguments are necessary for the assignment allowing someone to see both sides of the topic. This skill will help students in the future work spaces and their personal lives. But it is also important to recognize that your opinion isn’t always the correct one.
Analyzing and evaluating your own opinions is important because it helps you recognize if your argument is rational or not. By analyzing, I mean finding the hidden assumptions and what backing there is to support them. If a claim is not picked apart then it might be completely irrational and unreasonable to another person. Writing helps with problem solving in so many ways, even if it is a conflict with yourself. English classes are given to help someone give believable answers, and that’s where this would come into play. Recognizing the accuracy of your opinions is valuable in so many aspects of life, especially when it is allowing you to express yourself.
I think about all of the writing that is so popular from authors and poets. The reason they are so memorable is because they are expressing themselves and their feelings. We always hear how it is sometimes easier to put words on paper than it is to say them, and I find that significantly true. On paper, people can be creative and honest with themselves. As an English teacher I would want to encourage students to practice that personal writing in their lives. I have had teachers that would help me with that same idea and I found it fascinating as to what the power of words could do for me.
Overall I would love to teach English to students because I find so much value in it. Whether writing will help me academically, in my future, or personally, I think it is something everyone should work towards. I have considered going into the English program at Utah State currently because of my interests. If it were up to me, I would love to convince everyone that writing has so much importance in my everyday life, and I know it can be in other’s lives too.