Elbow 76-116

Elbow believes that quality writing is possible outside of the classroom. Teachers are not needed as a mediator as long as the group is picked carefully. I found it interesting when he brought up the importance of letting the writer know if you completely tuned out. The writer may not feel good, but its better than listening to someone fumble around pretending they paid attention to something that they clearly didn’t. The other facet of that is when Elbow suggests not giving any feedback when you feel as though you are sick of the whole thing as a way to let yourself recuperate mentally after allowing your brain to be picked. I will find myself forcing responses in my one class when no one else is raising their hand and it is mentally taxing. It also kind of makes me resent participating. Maybe giving myself “permission” to take a break from participation may allow me to become a better participant.

Many times, the teacher is the only motivation for showing up to class on a faithful basis. Handing in writing once a week to a group, in which no one is a certified facilitator, takes immense will power and self discipline. Sorting out the people who are unwilling to make the commitment to spend the time needed in class or the time to write outside of class is of course necessary as Elbow says. I think that a teacherless class is important in achieving the things that Elbow discusses. I think another key element would be to ensure that one of the group participants did not try to take that position in the group. An even playing field is important, where everyone feels that they have an equal opportunity to participate without feeling inferior. “Brave people” are not people who try to run the discussion, but rather ones who are the first to open up an otherwise unapproachable or avoided criticism. The criticism, which is meant to not only achieve better writing, but also to delve deeper into open honest discussion instead of polite surface chatter which you can stay home and get from acquaintances and in laws. This type of honesty has to be received well by everyone in order to be effective and to draw out further comments. The writer has the right to hear honest commentary and will feel lousy about thinly veiled flattery that the writer will realize as such. The whole point of the writing group will be undermined if deep discussion is not reached.