Ambiguity in Evaluating Written Work

I completely agree with Kandice (and Kandice's class) regarding the ambiguity and uncertainty involved in evaluating a writer's work. Instructors have a variety of teaching methods; all of these methods seem to be different and seek to fulfill different agendas! I was very fortunate to have great high school and undergraduate writing instructors. My undergraduate writing instructor encouraged us to push the boundaries of social norms. She engaged the class in many literacy activities, most of which were pretty off-the-wall, and they enabled us to seek a deeper meaning in assessing the events that comprise our lives. I view writing as a means of expressing myself--like a painter does with a canvas. I think it's unfortunate so many students feel that writing is a time-consuming, dreadful task.

I believe that instructors and tutors need to continue to seek out unique, unconventional ways to engage students. It's hard to undue the damage inflicted by previous writing experiences, but once we break through the barricade, a whole new world of discovery can be unearthed.

Diversity Issue

One concern that I had related to cultural differences and diversity challenges. I talked to Charlene about it, because I wasn't really sure how to handle it; that issue is the Black English Vernacular (BEV). On the one hand, I want to be helpful, but I don't want to be offensive or insult anyone's culture. With BEV, I feel it's less of a grammar/writing issue and more of an identity issue.

Can anyone offer me any advice in this arena?