The Writer's Purpose in the faceless teacher.

The faceless teacher is a an expository piece of writing, addressing the pernicious effects of the computer in education. In fact, from the essay's title " The faceless teacher" the writer sets the stage that he is going to be talking about an abnormality or arguably something which is wrong. After all, someone without a face has no identity and is essentially a stranger; and throughout the piece one of the arguments posited by the writer is that the computer is a cold soul less stranger who lacks human instincts and therefore pales in comparison to a living breathing human being. The writer in my opinion expertly uses words to convey his message that a human being is a more effective teacher than a computer. For instance, the writer describes the computer as a " frightening prospect" illustrating that learning or educational advancement using the computer is a grim affair.

In trying to show some degree of objectivity in his piece the writer does acknowledge that the computer has some good qualities such as its ability to perform calculations. However, he quickly disarms this argument by citing that human beings too can calculate with the advantage of being flexible. Another argument which I believe was used to good effect is that human beings are first and foremost social animals and that the cold, stranger which is the computer is unable to provide meaningful interaction which a student will need. All in all the writer does serve his aim of dis-encouraging use of the computers and internet as a substitute for human teachers.