A Letter, One I Would Dearly Like to Send
Dear Grad School Academic Counselor.
Thank you for your prompt reply to my inquiry.
I notice, however, that your reply does not actually address the two issues which I brought to your attention. First, your flagging of my spelling of the word, "acknowledgments." While I certainly do not take so flimsy an authority as Microsoft Word in ascertaining as to the correct spelling of this word, I notice it has not, in fact - and in no less than three different versions of this program on three different machines - highlighted this word as a spelling error. Further, this is affirmed by recoursing to what is nearly universally accepted as the authority, the Bible, you might say, of English spelling, syntax, and usage, that that would be the Oxford English Dictionary. The OED includes the word "acknowledgments," and provides the definition of that word under that exact heading. Also under this word contains the subheading, with the variant and chiefly British spelling of "acknowledgements." In the third place, I can show you several published articles from American journals, each one of which spells the word without the superfluous "e." When I, then, provide you with this authoritative support for my spelling - what may be termed as the "correct," or at least, "most commonly accepted," spelling, and then request an explanation as to why I should change to a variant and less recognized spelling, I would appreciate it if you would answer my question.
Furthermore, you have proven that you cannot handle the simple task of reading a chart which outlines what credits I have taken. I see now that I will have to visit your office in person with a copy of my transcript in hand and prove to you that I have indeed taken 10 thesis credits as I claimed, and not 5 as you seem to believe I have. I requested that you double check on this issue for me, it is plain from the text of your response that you did not. This does little to engender in me any confidence in your abilities as an editor or to perform the abilities of the position you currently hold. Certainly, I would expect someone in your position to have a more comprehensive grasp of basic English syntax, grammar, and punctuation before undertaking to correct those very same issues in the work of another; for proof of this, I refer to the text of your last email to me, the contents of which has been copied verbatim, below, with all errors and deficiencies wholly intact.
Hi Meredith,
Please change Acknowledgments to ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and yes you will need
to petition to late add and late drop thesis credits and grad 900
Thanks,
[name]
Academic Counselor
I notice that the function of the comma has not entirely eluded you, although that would seem to be the case for the period.
Now, it would seem I must take the time to visit you personally to straighten out these difficulties, which I will attempt to do in as civil a manner as possible, and while doing my utmost to restrain my personality and intelligence from forcibly bludgeoning you about the skull with a moderately heavy copy of Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
Sincerely,
The Aggrieved.
Thank you for your prompt reply to my inquiry.
I notice, however, that your reply does not actually address the two issues which I brought to your attention. First, your flagging of my spelling of the word, "acknowledgments." While I certainly do not take so flimsy an authority as Microsoft Word in ascertaining as to the correct spelling of this word, I notice it has not, in fact - and in no less than three different versions of this program on three different machines - highlighted this word as a spelling error. Further, this is affirmed by recoursing to what is nearly universally accepted as the authority, the Bible, you might say, of English spelling, syntax, and usage, that that would be the Oxford English Dictionary. The OED includes the word "acknowledgments," and provides the definition of that word under that exact heading. Also under this word contains the subheading, with the variant and chiefly British spelling of "acknowledgements." In the third place, I can show you several published articles from American journals, each one of which spells the word without the superfluous "e." When I, then, provide you with this authoritative support for my spelling - what may be termed as the "correct," or at least, "most commonly accepted," spelling, and then request an explanation as to why I should change to a variant and less recognized spelling, I would appreciate it if you would answer my question.
Furthermore, you have proven that you cannot handle the simple task of reading a chart which outlines what credits I have taken. I see now that I will have to visit your office in person with a copy of my transcript in hand and prove to you that I have indeed taken 10 thesis credits as I claimed, and not 5 as you seem to believe I have. I requested that you double check on this issue for me, it is plain from the text of your response that you did not. This does little to engender in me any confidence in your abilities as an editor or to perform the abilities of the position you currently hold. Certainly, I would expect someone in your position to have a more comprehensive grasp of basic English syntax, grammar, and punctuation before undertaking to correct those very same issues in the work of another; for proof of this, I refer to the text of your last email to me, the contents of which has been copied verbatim, below, with all errors and deficiencies wholly intact.
Hi Meredith,
Please change Acknowledgments to ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and yes you will need
to petition to late add and late drop thesis credits and grad 900
Thanks,
[name]
Academic Counselor
I notice that the function of the comma has not entirely eluded you, although that would seem to be the case for the period.
Now, it would seem I must take the time to visit you personally to straighten out these difficulties, which I will attempt to do in as civil a manner as possible, and while doing my utmost to restrain my personality and intelligence from forcibly bludgeoning you about the skull with a moderately heavy copy of Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
Sincerely,
The Aggrieved.