Deaths at Virginia Tech University Have Educators Weighing How to Handle Students’ Violent Writing

Across the country, high school and college writing teachers regularly must weigh whether violent student writings are just creative outlets or signs of something darker.

Amanda Van Benschoten writes in her article for the Cincinnati Enquirer, “Schools eye student writing, Teachers address disturbing material” Quotes’ Melissa Fry, a community college professor, this way “You shouldn't assume anything: If you notice something in an essay, you should pull the student aside and take it from there,"

We walk a fine line when reading student writings. I believe it is critical we make the effort “to get into the writers mind”, to clarify intent. There have been a plethora of newspaper articles written about this subject since the killings on the Virginia Tech Campus. Here are a few of those thoughts, from professionals who write for a living.


The Cincinnati Enquirer : “Schools eye student writing Teachers address disturbing material”

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070424/NEWS0102/704240382/1058/NEWS01

San Francisco Chronicle: ”Predicting risk tough, despite warning signs”

www.sfgate.com/cgi-binarticle.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/04/22/MNGEMPDAMC1.DTL

The Boston Hearld: “Educators say VT shootings highlight problems dealing with troubled students”

http://news.bostonherald.comnational/south/view.bg?articleid=196269

The Baltimore Sun: “Drawing a line between danger and creativity”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-te.to.writing20apr20,0,3371374.story?coll=bal-education-college

Ask yourself:

How closely do we monitor the writings of our students for intent?

Would a watchful eye and deeper concern better serve the writer, and other students as well?