As teachers, we decide what is appropriate writing and what is not. In this position, we inherently dictate the boundaries of "funny". Ralph Fletcher argues that this decision could mean the difference between encouraging a writer to pursue his true voice and forcing a young author to disregard personal interest and write only for the teacher. Fletcher reminds us that even though we may be uncomfortable, it is essential to remember, "boys who include humor in their writing are not necessarily acting out, fooling around, or trying to get attention. Rather, humor gives them a crucial way to express their authentic voices" (68).
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