Expository vs. Narration: Clash of the writing titans

Upon reading Williams chapter 9, I found a confusing contraction within his argument. On one hand Williams suggests that "writing assignments in the high school rarely call for the kind of writing students are expected to produce in college" (280). On the other, one of his sample writing assignments #6 suggests "describe an even in which you did something that made you feel ashamed" (291). Can't there be a happy medium of both in high school? I personally feel that we as high school educators aren't simply preparing students for college, but for life in general regardless of whether or not our students go on to college. It seems to me that both expository writing and personal narrative are both important for students to express themselves in writing about topics both inside and outside of themselves. Essentially, I see value in both and feel they both serve important purposes for student writing, critical thinking, analysis, and self-expression.

Here is a neat site to English lesson plan ideas. Enjoy!

http://english.unitechnology.ac.nz/