On the Nature of Technique: What Do We Owe the Gurus?

Professionals constantly work back and forth between the insights of theory and the constraints of practice in an effort to construct a reasonably well-informed framework within which to conduct their day-to-day activities. One interesting aspect of the theory/practice dichotomy is the impact of acknowledged experts on the classroom behaviors of teachers. In this article I describe in detail one technique for teaching writing to ESL students and use this description as the basis for a discussion of the nature of technique. I then trace my teaching behaviors back to a number of individuals who have influenced my attitudes toward and approaches to the teaching of writing. Finally, I attempt to characterize the relationship between a successful classroom technique and the teachings of gurus.