Scripps Howard News Service

Dear Dr. Fournier:

My daughter is having a terrible time writing papers in her ninth-grade class. The teacher gives clear instructions and provides a schedule detailing when each step is due. The process is broken down into manageable parts — the outline, note cards, first draft, second draft, and bibliography — but my daughter still says she doesn't know how to begin.

At a young age, my daughter loved writing her own prose and poetry and reading her work to others. Now she is paralyzed. Out of desperation, I completely wrote one paper for her. She received a 66 on that assignment, and since then, she has lost all confidence in me. I admit that I am insulted; as a lawyer I write all the time for my job. Now we are both angry. What should I do?

ASSESSMENT

School curricula and textbook companies are the culprits for not giving our students a proper foundation to become life-long learners and creators.

Students enter their freshman year, and we expect the teachers to instruct on a ninth-grade level. Yet many students simply aren't ready. Without a solid foundation, it's similar to adding a ninth story to a building without eight secure floors below. This is destroying our children's sense of competence, lowering their grade point averages and making them abandon talents and abilities.

Every day I see grossly accelerated curricula that students bring to my office. Second-graders are asked questions requiring judgment (Why do you think Nancy did not say hello to Mary?), before they've developed their reading comprehension and analytical skills.

WHAT TO DO

Sometime in your child's education, she probably learned the different genres of writing, but she needs an in-depth explanation. The application of these genres to school projects is often overlooked by teachers and textbooks. These genres correlate with the purpose of the assignment, and your daughter must understand the assignment's purpose before she begins. Just like a lawyer preparing a case for trial, the goal and desired outcome must be clear in her mind.

Start by printing the table of writing genres featured on http://www.writinga-z.com. Place this in her room on a mirror or above her desk. Begin by reviewing the genres with your daughter and explain why they are used for different assignments.

As a lawyer, you are probably excellent at expository writing, describing with an eye for detail and explaining a point as you weave the logic of your case. However, the teacher could be asking for persuasive writing, which calls the reader to action on a certain thesis or belief. A narrative is what she enjoyed as a child, as her imagination could go wild while writing a fable, mystery or science fiction story.

When she's asked to write a paper, your daughter should clarify with her teacher which genre is desired. Once she has a clear understanding of the genres and how they are used, your daughter should then be encouraged to explore her creativity within the genre guidelines.

-Write Dr. Yvonne Fournier, Fournier Learning Strategies Inc., 5900 Poplar, Memphis, Tenn. 38119. E-mail her at drfournier@hfhw.net.