English is one of the most widely used languages in our world today, yet, to many students, critically evaluating texts and turning the analysis into words can feel like a daunting and even frustrating task. If you are looking for some insights into acing English, then this interview covering tips and tricks is not something that you want to miss!
Today’s interviewee is BHS’s 10th grade English and AP Literature teacher, Ms. Kinder, who is in her 8th year of teaching and absolutely loves books that connect her to an “honest, human experience.”
When asked what strategies she would recommend to her students, the immediate response was “don’t procrastinate.” She explained that you should start on a project as soon as it gets assigned, and, more importantly, to plan before writing so you can decide on how the paragraphs can be organized. “If you at least start,” she adds, “you will get a better grade.”
Moreover, she shared her opinions on the elements that make up good writing. “It gets the point across in a way that feels immersive,” she says, and it shouldn’t be “so simple that it is insulting to the reader’s intelligence.” Conversely, a piece of effective writing shouldn’t use “flourishing language in a way that is convoluted” so it distracts from the meaning.
Reading, and especially reading in timed writes, has always been the downfall for many students. “Read with a purpose,” Ms. Kinder suggests, to “note down evidence even if it doesn’t make sense at the moment.” This way, evidence is not forgotten in a stressful scenario.
Ultimately, it all comes down to being prepared, but it is also very easy to turn to AI when the train of thought just can’t arrive. “I’m not a fan,” she disapproves. “AI is not always correct in its thinking–even with grammar, it can be wrong.” Ms. Kinder further compares the use of AI as an editing tool with opening the “Pandora’s Box.” Since it is so easy for it to make stylistic changes to your writing, AI can often “take away individuality in writing” and “force you to write in its generative style.”
To all of you out there wondering if teachers know if you are using AI–yes, they probably do. Ms. Kinder in particular had earned a degree in linguistics, paired with her experience in grading essays, which enables her to identify those sentences that you poorly paraphrased from AI.
To all of you graduating seniors, she also predicts that there is going to be a “huge shift in more assignments being handwritten” in colleges as well, as they have started to realize the abuse of AI. Furthermore, “English as an Art is defined by human expression,” she reflects, and “the part of human expression that can’t be expressed by robots.”
On a brighter note, if you ever get caught by Ms. Kinder for using AI, just remember that she also has a minor in music, and can sing you to Saturday school opera-style.
