There are many writings which can be taken two different ways. Either it can persuade the reader to his or her opinion or turn them away. The strategies used in an essay can have an effect on the reader. In the essay “School Is Bad For Children”, written by John Holt, a valid argument is made that school takes away almost every child’s individuality. The children apparently do not get the chance to express themselves or show their skills. Although the argument is acceptable and well written, there are a few flaws in the strategies Holt uses. In this particular essay, holt has over exaggeration, is bias against the schools, and his use of statistics is flawed. Holt over exaggerates on many of the issues he believes that school causes. Holt
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If a reader studied closely, they could tell the information was not properly viewed. One should do research before arguing against a major topic. In his essay, Holt claims,”You may say that school is a long lesson in how to turn yourself off, which may be one reason why so many young people, seeking the awareness of the world and responsiveness to it they had when they were little, think they can only find it in drugs” (74). This exaggeration is a little extreme. Trying to state that children turn to drugs because of their experience in school is a stretch. The National Institute On Drug Abuse proves that not all students turn to drugs because of school. There is an estimated seventy percent of students who have tried one form of alcohol or drug substance during high school, but this is not all from depression. Some is said to be from peer pressure, to fit in, their neighborhood, community, family, bullying, or just for fun. Drugs would only allow a student to have a one time emotional “high” experience. After a first experience the user will never have that same emotional state as before. Another misunderstood point Holt makes is,”Right answers are what the school wants” (73). This statement is directed toward the teaches more. Trying to claim that teachers are not smart enough and do not care about what the students is wrong. This statement proves that he did not do the research. Holt would have had to ask teachers if they just …show more content…
He says,” Let work together, help each other, learn from each other and each other’s mistakes” (75). He thinks that most schools make all the students do all of the work on their own. Stanford University performed studies on cooperative learning in a classroom environment. There are more and more teachers who are starting to perform this. Teachers have already applied this form of learning. Whether it be a small in class assignment, a week 's project, or a semester one. He can be agreed with on this part as well. Students should have group assignments to allow different habits of learning to be
If a reader studied closely, they could tell the information was not properly viewed. One should do research before arguing against a major topic. In his essay, Holt claims,”You may say that school is a long lesson in how to turn yourself off, which may be one reason why so many young people, seeking the awareness of the world and responsiveness to it they had when they were little, think they can only find it in drugs” (74). This exaggeration is a little extreme. Trying to state that children turn to drugs because of their experience in school is a stretch. The National Institute On Drug Abuse proves that not all students turn to drugs because of school. There is an estimated seventy percent of students who have tried one form of alcohol or drug substance during high school, but this is not all from depression. Some is said to be from peer pressure, to fit in, their neighborhood, community, family, bullying, or just for fun. Drugs would only allow a student to have a one time emotional “high” experience. After a first experience the user will never have that same emotional state as before. Another misunderstood point Holt makes is,”Right answers are what the school wants” (73). This statement is directed toward the teaches more. Trying to claim that teachers are not smart enough and do not care about what the students is wrong. This statement proves that he did not do the research. Holt would have had to ask teachers if they just …show more content…
He says,” Let work together, help each other, learn from each other and each other’s mistakes” (75). He thinks that most schools make all the students do all of the work on their own. Stanford University performed studies on cooperative learning in a classroom environment. There are more and more teachers who are starting to perform this. Teachers have already applied this form of learning. Whether it be a small in class assignment, a week 's project, or a semester one. He can be agreed with on this part as well. Students should have group assignments to allow different habits of learning to be