Ged Essay Topic
Can you write anything, or can you only write what you have to write,
> what you want to write?
This is strangely topical as I just finished conferences with my GED writing
students. Their most frequent complaint (besides that I'm too tough) was
that they couldn't get into some of the essay topics. I have to admit at
three essays a week some of my topics are less than earth-shattering. I was
reduced to "tell me about the food you hate the most" last week.
For myself, since I've foresworn government memos, I admit to needing a
certain excitement in the topic. Some bit of juice. I just did a piece for
our union newsletter on contract negotiation issues that affect part-timers.
(remember I'm conservative and Republican) I stared at a blank screen until
finally I hit upon using Zorro's bad alcalde and Capitan Esteban as a
metaphor for the district's tactics. Perhaps I shouldn't have listened to
so much irish revolutionary music while I was preparing to revise the climax
of my novel.
So, yeah, there's gotta be a hook for me, but when it comes to my students,
it's does as I say, not . . .