Formulas in Writing?

My ideal academic essay would have developed analysis, connect ideas, and be easily readable. One can always continue editing their writing, making it a potentially never ending process. Thus, I do not think that striving for perfection is important, but having goals and meeting them is important.

I like using a formula in writing to an extent. It is sometimes useful if it is flexible and similar to the concept of how genre conventions are useful. Flexibility is important so that the writer can be creative and learn more about writing. One formula cannot work for all writing, and sometimes, a writer must deviate to take intellectual risks and explore how to write. Thus, a formula should not be too strict. Additionally, a writer looks at genre conventions to see past examples of writing to base their writing in something that works. Similarly, using a formula tells the writer what to do to write well. I also like to do what I want and make decisions about how I think something will work best, so that is why one can use this formula how much they think fits their purpose best.

One View: Formula is Harmful

I think that the paraburger is similar to the five paragraph formula to a certain extent. It can be used conceptually, to have a main claim, provide evidence, and then analyze how the evidence proves the claim. In this case, it is not formulaic. However, when used strictly, with specifications on sentence amount or having to follow a strict order, it becomes formulaic because it limits academic decision making and creativity.

I think that the five-paragraph-formula is not effective because it limits creativity and academic analysis in college writing. For example, all arguments cannot be written in one way, thus, one formula should not be used.

Controversial Formula: Paraburger

Sources: https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/llHfq7qAOfW5GA/paragraphing