Extracting a Voice: A Suggestion for Teaching IPO Essay Writing

In this article, I suggest a process for teaching writing to the students preparing for the IPO (the International Philosophy Olympiad) essay competition. My teaching process is based on Peter Elbow’s theory of writing, which emphasizes that writing should contain the writer’s real voice and respects both the writer and reader. Elbow’s strategy is also called the binary strategy, as it focuses on the two primary skills behind all writing: creating and criticizing. These two skills work in separate ways and require different steps. I employ Elbow’s writing strategy when teaching IPO essay writing. The IPO essay competition aims to develop creative and critical thinking, which also requires two types of writing: philosophical writing and second-language writing. Elbow’s binary strategy, specifically his focus on the creating skill and criticizing skill, will be helpful for the aim of the IPO essay writing competition