Genre Reflection #2: When grading essays...

When grading essays…

Sometimes I want to write why?

But that would be mean.

So instead I do write, nice try.

And my true feelings remain unseen.

I asked them to write a narrative essay,

and then I receive a couple paragraphs instead.

Which I’m sorry, but that’s downright lazy.

My heart, my heart, how it bled!

I shake my head,

and I tell them to expand.

I can sense their dread,

as I send them back to revising land.

How do you stress the importance,

of writing a strong paper

that has a sense of purpose

while making them be their own landscaper?

I know that I can,

it’s called in-class rough drafts!

Over and over again.

So they can polish their craft.

Yes, they might complain.

But it’s all for the best.

I’ll try to emphasize and explain,

that they should work their hardest.

I will give them some tips

that will expand their writing skills.

I will help them until their writing flips
to the side that won’t give me chills.