Red ink means something very different for writers than it does for accountants. For accountants, red ink means the company is losing money. For writers, red ink is the color of corrections. I might also add, for this writer at least, red ink is the color of learning to become a better writer.
My daughter brought home an English paper yesterday that was covered in red ink. While some parents might have been upset by that, I actually rejoiced. Why? Because I saw that the teacher was concerned with a quality writing style as much as she was concerned with content and proofreading. I know that under such a teacher/editor my daughter’s writing skills will be fine-tuned this year (as mine were under a similar teacher many years ago).
I typically proofread my kids’ papers before they turn them in. I point out simple spelling and obvious grammar errors. I also look for completeness. I don’t, however, deal much with style. I could, I suppose, rewrite each paper into a well-honed piece of professional writing. However, not only would this be a spectacular waste of time on my part, it would rob my kids of the chance to make their own mistakes and develop their own unique writing style.
Although my daughter was a little bit dismayed at the teacher’s edits (she’s used to doing well on English papers), I pointed out that the teacher marked the very things that professional writers seek to avoid: excessive use of passive voice, vague statements, and unsupported conclusions. I also pointed out that once you learn to write well it is a skill that will serve you for your entire life, regardless of what career you choose to follow.
I should point out that this occurred to my oldest daughter and that she is in high school. She is ready to learn these more advanced writing concepts. I would feel differently if I saw the same markings on the English paper of an early elementary-aged student.
Do you proofread your child’s papers? If so, how much correction do you provide? Do you think a strict editor is a good way to hone your writing skill? Why, or why not?
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
12 responses so far ↓
1 Melissa R. Garrett // Sep 12, 2007 at
I saw “red ink” and had to shudder. My AP English teacher had it in for me, I am convinced, by the way she painted my papers red. “More details,” she would write. My mistakes were more about content than anything else. Hopefully I have learned!
2 Laura // Sep 12, 2007 at
Hi Melissa!
I think that’s a common first reaction.
I actually saved my “red ink” papers so that I didn’t make the same mistakes again. Before I would turn each paper in I’d check the old papers and look specifically for those mistakes. By the end of the year I had practically no red ink on my papers!!!
3 Jennifer // Sep 12, 2007 at
I love red ink, but I used it to do the writing. I can see the errors better when the teachers edit with black. That and I am a rebel.
I really could use a good editor in my life though. I would like to build a more professional voice for one of my sites. I struggle with trying to sound professional. I always have the casual, common voice and am not considered professional very often. I would like that to change somewhat.
Although for my ladylike4 site, that is the beauty of reading it. You get the uncut version which is somewhat good in it’s own, the site would loose some of it’s charm if it were highly edited.
Can you write with two distinctly different personalities do you think??
4 Laura // Sep 12, 2007 at
Hi Jennifer!
I think that writing with two distinctly different personalities is possible. I’ve seen it happen in fiction when a writer writes one series and then takes a completely different tack on another series. It does take some coordination and focus, because I think that one of the voices will be your natural voice and you’ll have a tendency to slip back into it.
At least that’s my take on it.
5 Shantanu // Sep 13, 2007 at
Hmmm, reminds me of my school and college days when we still wrote on paper and used pens.
Now, there is no red ink, only because we no longer use ink. All corrections are in the form of cross-out revision marks on Word documents!
6 Laura // Sep 13, 2007 at
Hi Shantanu!
Yes, since I’ve left school my files have mostly been electronic. However, my daughter still submits paper copies (even though she creates them on a word processor).
I think sometimes it does help to have it on paper…
7 Qurat // Sep 17, 2007 at
Though we’ve left ink, but red is still important. For me, it always worked as an improvement tool.
8 Laura // Sep 18, 2007 at
Qurat — Thanks for your feedback!!
9 Taylor // Sep 24, 2007 at
It’s funny that you’re talking about the red ink because I’m completely convinced that 95% of students don’t read those comments at all, but just look for the grade. I’d be really interested to know what people think outside the writing/blogging world. I bet the people that read this blog are in that 5%.
It’s encouraging, though, to know that someone’s reading the red ink!
10 Laura // Sep 25, 2007 at
Hi Taylor!
Are you a teacher or an editor? I definitely believe that we learn from our mistakes. For one, I don’t like to repeat mistakes so I do try to “read the red ink” whenever I get it.
11 Lee // Apr 9, 2008 at
My Take:
The color red symbolizes power in many cultures. In American culture, the red tie worn by men in power can be seen in political interviews daily. It’s very common to see most all presidential candidates wearing red ties.
In teaching, the color red being used by the teacher is symbolic of the authority that the teacher over the student to correct.
The same concept applies psychologically to other colors as well.
May sound crazy, but it’s true.
Thanks for the great post.
12 Breaking the Rules (And Loving It) // Sep 25, 2008 at
[…] get me wrong! I’m very grateful to Miss R. and my other English teachers. I still love red ink. Without it, I’d never have become the writer that I am […]