Sandie friedman’s “this way for vampires: teaching first-year
Sandie Friedman argues in “This Way for Vampires: Teaching First-Year Composition in ‘Challenging Times’” that popular culture and current events can be effective topics for writing and discussion in a first-year composition class. She believes that using these topics can engage students and create connections between their personal experiences and larger societal issues. Friedman contends that such topics provide a familiar starting point for students, allowing them to bring their existing knowledge and interests to the table. Moreover, she asserts that popular culture and current events can be used to teach critical thinking and analysis, as well as to help students develop a greater understanding of the world around them.
In my opinion, I agree with Friedman that popular culture and current events can be useful subjects to write about and discuss in a writing class. As Friedman mentions, these topics can be relatable to students and help them make personal connections to the material. This can help students become more invested in the writing process and motivate them to produce more thoughtful and insightful work. Additionally, analyzing popular culture and current events can help students develop critical thinking skills, including the ability to evaluate sources, identify bias, and think critically about complex issues.
However, it’s important to note that using popular culture and current events as subjects for writing and discussion should not be the only focus of a composition class. Students should also have the opportunity to explore other topics that are of interest to them and that can expand their understanding of different disciplines and worldviews. Nonetheless, incorporating popular culture and current events into a composition class can be a valuable way to engage students and help them develop their writing skills.