NaBloPoMo #17 - Linguistic WTFery

Nov 17, 2008 18:58

1. The sad, sad state of college EnglishBy Michael Olesker ( Read more... )

wtf

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Comments 13

geeky_goddess79 November 18 2008, 01:15:17 UTC
Oh wow that made me cringe. I can't even believe college students would write anything like that in papers. I always, always made sure my papers sounded literate and well thought out, not to mention I made sure things were spelled correctly and words were used in the right tense. That up there is embarassing!

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annearchy November 18 2008, 14:39:30 UTC
Cookie agrees with Archie :D

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avidbeader November 18 2008, 01:15:55 UTC
Having seen many first drafts of research proposals that our juniors in high school are required to do for graduation, I'm very much afraid that it is that bad. I certainly don't remember writing that poorly in high school...

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annearchy November 18 2008, 14:43:20 UTC
Nor I... Actually my best and most demanding teacher was my 11th grade English teacher, Sister Francine. She was the only teacher who made me cry in high school. Actually she made most of us cry and this was the honors English class. we had to write a paper EVERY DAY for several months, usually just two pages handwritten, so more like a "theme", you know? But it was a lot of work. We spent a month studying Macbeth. I got C's on my themes (and I was used to getting A's) but I managed to ace the exams. So I guess she taught me how to write well enough to do well on her tests :) Actually I learned enough from her to get through college pretty well. One of my college instructors once said to me, prophetically, "You don't have much to say, but you say it very well." :))

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call_me_ps November 18 2008, 01:15:56 UTC
As someone who teaches college students I can tell you that it is. And worse. It makes my head hurt.

And the state of math in this country? A whole lot worse...

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annearchy November 18 2008, 14:44:05 UTC
I'm sorry :(

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mmichelle November 18 2008, 01:28:36 UTC
That is horrifying. Though -- and I say this trying not to sound like a snob about my own college, but I know it's going to come across that way anyway -- that was community college, for what it's worth.

(disclaimer: my sister goes to community college, I know there are very intelligent people who go the community college route, I'm JUST SAYING)

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annearchy November 18 2008, 14:45:02 UTC
Yes, I guess it would depend on which community college too. Some are probably significantly better than others, and there are some people who literally don't want or need a full four-year degree.

And you, missy, go to a Pretty Damn Good Univerity (PDGU:)

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joseishijin November 18 2008, 03:03:47 UTC
It's bad, but sadly I still see this kind of spelling and grammar (or lack thereof) in business emails every day. It's depressing...

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annearchy November 18 2008, 14:45:53 UTC
Owwww. I don't normally see spelling and grammar this bad in work emails but I work with highly educated people, mostly engineers and scientists. I DO see it in the ton of spam I get at work and at home. UGH.

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