Should Teachers Allow Students To Use Profanity In Their Writing?
...t a battle he wants to carry on. His view is to win the battle of writing and not to fight the battle of profanity in writing. Bob further explains that he instructs the student to write form their personal experiences. Many students come from homes where they are subjected to the use of profanity constantly. He further states that when he sees profanity in a student’s writing, that is not appropriate, he uses that opportunity as a teachable moment where he discusses topics such as the power of words and the power of using some words sparingly instead of frequently. Bob continues his argument by sting that because he doesn’t ban profanity, he doesn’t see it often and that when the need arises he will instruct students to use alternative verbiage to better express themselves. Nellie Ugarte argues the no profanity in writing by initially asking herself has she come to a point in her career where she is comfortable in allowing students to express themselves in any way they deem appropriate, including profanity. Her answer is, “No”. Her opinion is that students should not be allowed under any circumstances to use profanity in public schools. She states that one of the most important lessons she teaches her students is that writing is a moral exercise. Words are power. Nellie further explains that her problem is not censorship, but exposing this generation to the power to create imaginative essays with words of substance. She further states that because the students are exposed to profanity by the media and in their every day environment, they are challenged in not using ...