Kelly+H.

Howard 1 Kelly Howard Mrs. Vore AP Language 19 October 2010

Writers Memo There are many parallels between Gloria Borger’s writing style and the way I wrote “German v. American Education”. In the five editorials I read by Gloria Borger, she had the same writing style throughout all five. When writing “German v. American Education” I mimicked her style. One of the main things she did throughout all five editorials is that she always got her point across. She stated her opinion like it was fact and she also used strong language to emphasize her opinions. I also did this when writing my editorial. When talking about German v. American education styles, I always stated my opinion as if it were fact that way there is no question to the reader where I stand on this topic. Another style of writing Gloria Borger uses is that she bolds a few main words in her editorial works. By emphasizing the word “fifth” in my work, it exaggerates the fact stated. This also pulls the reader eye to a certain part of the editorial making it more interesting to read. There was at least one bolded word in every single editorial by Gloria Borger’s work. Gloria Borger also constructed each paragraph the same way, excluding the introduction paragraph. I studied this style and mimicked it as well. The main idea is that the first sentence states the editorialists’ opinion, and then backs it up with facts in the sentences that follow. When writing “German v. American Education” I did the same thing. Probably the last writing technique Gloria Borger uses in her editorials that I took from her is that she would always have a question. After the question, she does not leave room for the reader to answer it and make their own opinion. Before that could happen, she answers her own question with her own opinions. That is exactly what I did in “German v. American Education”.

German v. American Education America has a constant education plan and most people think it is a good one. Not a lot of people understand Germany’s concept of education and how they pursue teaching their students. Germany does a way better job than America when it comes to education –despite what others may say and/or think. Yes, there are many differences between German and American education plans, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. America needs to absorb Germany’s ways on this one.

The main difference currently is that Germany goes 13 years while America only goes 12. But this is soon changing. In two years, Germany is switching to 12 years like America. Why can America not take in something Germany does with education since they are taking what America does? Truth is, America is too stuck up in its ways to change something like education. Not saying America should switch to 13 years, but there are other differences America should take into their culture.

In the **fifth** grade, teachers must decide what school each student should go into. There is the “Hauptschule” (Secondary general school), “Realschule” (Intermediate school), and the “Gymnasium” (Grammer school). Each school teaches different life skills depending on the students’ abilities. The Hauptschule teaches basic skills to become something like a plumber or electrician. The Realschule is harder than the Hauptschule, teaching occupational skills that are needed for becoming a doctor or dentist. Gymnasium is the hardest school (and most popular) out of all three schools. There they teach students to become business people and more important occupational jobs. This brings up a good point. Why teach every student the same material when it is obvious that not every student is going to go to college or do something great with their life? It just does not make since.

Another great idea concerning this three school system is that if a student’s teachers see that they can become more or less than they are destined for, said student can switch school systems to fit the needs of the student. This makes perfectly good since. There is no reason to pressure each student with the big decision about what college to go to, what to major and/ or minor in when it can already be decided at the young age of only ten or eleven. America only does harm to their students by stressing and freaking them out about their future. Most students cannot handle all of the pressure American schooling puts on them.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">German school is like American college in the freedoms and mature responsibilities put on each student. For example, German schools do not have a “study hall”. Instead they have “free lessons” where he or she can leave school, get something to eat, stay and study, do whatever they so please. But American schools treat students like little kids; making them stay in class, not talk, have something to work on, etc. If American students had more freedoms like German students, school would not be so exhausting and such “a drag” to go to everyday.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">American’s are treated like little kids when it comes to high school. For example, students have to write out a pass in order to go to the bathroom, go to his/ her locker, or go anywhere else for that matter. In Germany, students just get up and leave whenever they have to go somewhere. Not to mention, grades in America are heavily weighed upon homework assignments while German grades have nothing to do with homework. In fact, German grades are fairer than America’s because they are actually based upon a student’s abilities in that class and not extra credit or completion assignments.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">One of the best ideas Germany has concerning their schooling system is that they do not have the same classes every day. American students get into a routine when it comes to school. So much that they do not pay attention at what they are doing by the end of the year. With different classes every day, students have to pay attention or else they would fail their classes. By getting into a routine one tends to lose focus and eventually not care what they are doing because it becomes mundane.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">America just needs to get the hint that German ways are better than American ways concerning school and education. We need to absorb the German ways in the school system in order to save this country from falling apart because people cannot find jobs that fit their educational abilities. Germany is just better education wise.

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