Being able to write in a formulaic manner is a skill though. Not being able to write properly is not great for communication.

There was nothing useful about the particular formula they were teaching. It wouldn't even be useful for a bureaucrat. It only tested how well you knew the formula, how confidently you simplified inherently nuanced topics, and how lucky you got that the random underpaid SAT grader (usually a teacher looking for a pittance of extra cash) thought your essay fit the rubrics they were given.

Good riddance to the thing.

True. Writing structures for arguments and analysis make a huge difference in effective writing.

I wish brevity and linguistic precision were taught more, as well. Miscommunication due to ambiguity is one of the biggest causes I see for confusion or heated arguments.