Summary of in Praise of the F Word
“In Praise of the F Word” by Mary Sherry In the article, “In Praise of the F Word” by Mary Sherry, Sherry talks about the educational system and how the handing of high school diplomas is meaningless. The problem concerned is that these high school graduates are founded to be semiliterate when entered into the real world. Sherry teaches basic grammar and writing for adult literacy programs, hearing the different and unpleasant experiences of graduates being passed along high school. Sherry argues that teachers flunking their students should be seen as positive teaching tool, and creates the expression of confidence by both teachers and parents that the students have the ability to learn the material presented to them. She would never forget the teacher that grabbed the attention of her world-class charmer’s son. Mrs. Stifer was his English teacher, who was the first teacher to ever threaten him with the trump card of failure. With the support of Sherry and his teacher, the attention for making English his priority suddenly changed, making him finish out the semester with an A. Sherry then explains the angry and resentful students for having been passed along high school. She states the effect of passing students who have not mastered the work cheats them and the employers who expect graduates to have basic skills. The students eventually get frustrated with bitter comments such as, “I don’t know how I ever got a high school diploma.” She generalized this dishonest behavior by saying the kids can’t learn if they come from terrible environments, but then argues that the real reason is that most kids don’t put school as a priority unless something is at stake. She claims that most students would rather be cruising along. Sherry then discusses the difficulties that students may have, but still making education their priority. Students are motivated for success and the desire for a better job, giving them the healthy fear of failure. She believes this fear of failure,