1. After reading Wysocki's piece on the multiple media of texts, I wonder how some of you interpret different typefaces. For instance, what effect does this Courier font have on a text? Wysocki describes it as a "Slab serif or Egyptian" typeface, but what does that mean to you as a reader? (Wysocki, 128).
2. Do you plan on using portfolios in your composition classrooms? If so, are there any specific guidelines that you plan on giving your students or do you plan on giving them complete freedom in creating it? If you do not plan on using portfolios in your classroom, is there a specific reason why not?
It's interesting, just the other day I was discussing typefaces with an author in an interview. We discussed revision in detail, and she noted that she had to write in Times New Roman 10-point font, because it was ugly, whereas Garamond was too pretty for early drafts. She also enlarged the font to 12-point at times to see it in a different way.
ReplyDeleteAs an editor, I've always felt this way about Garamond as well. When I receive submissions in Garamond, I feel like the author is trying to trick me into liking the writing more.
I really love the IDEA of using portfolios in my classroom. And I do think I'll give it a shot, but I am a little nervous about how it will go. In regards to specific guidelines, I think I'm still weighing my options. One of the perks of not teaching until spring is that I can use next semester to continue picking the brains of other TAs to see how they use this in their classrooms. For me, I love the idea of allowing students to revise, but would not want them revising so many times, or all at once towards the end of the semester due to the time demands that would create for me. Therefore I think there would need to be a balance in the timeline for revisions so that I didn't feel overwhelmed as the teacher. But overall. yes i want to use them. but i'm still working through what that will really look like.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely finna use portfolios in my classroom. I'll probably have guidelines for them simply for the purpose of making it easier for me to evaluate, but I also don't want to stifle their creative freedom. Perhaps this will mean they can do whatever they want as long as they also accompany a more traditional written explanation.
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