Craig,

I think Susan was toying with you . . .

Peter


On May 17, 2009, at 4:00 PM, Craig Hancock wrote:

> Susan,
>   In your own post, "teacher" and "student" get repeated very
> effectively. The subject of your third sentence is "that", which  
> refers
> back to the content of thwe previous sentences. You use "But" to start
> your second paragraph. Every sentence in your final paragraph starts
> with "I", and I don't mean that as a criticism. Much of our advice
> about writing doesn't match what good writers do.
>
> Craig
>
>>
>
> On May 16, 2009, at 9:20 PM, Craig Hancock wrote:
>>> You don't help students by giving them
>>> a false description of language because you believe they aren't
>>> capable
>>> of the truth.
>>
>>
>> Maybe we don't actually disagree.  If a teacher actually told her
>> students that good writers never start sentences with the word
>> "because" or an essay that doesn't have a thesis at the end of the
>> first paragraph is wrong and an example of bad writing, then I am
>> with you.  That is false information.
>>
>> But a teacher who tells her students that they can only write in
>> pencil, or that they must show their work, or that their essay must
>> have 5 paragraphs is not giving them false information.  Should a
>> teacher clarify that the rule about "because" is only for this class
>> and that when they are older they may break this rule?  Yes.  I think
>> that probably does happen.  I think it is too much for some students
>> to process, and what they retain is just the rule itself.
>>
>>> "Vary sentence starts" would be another example of bad advice.
>>
>> I am surprise that you believe this.  I notice you vary your sentence
>> starts.  I do too.  I would only break that rule to prove a point.  I
>> hope I have proved it.  I am not sure if I have.  I hope you will let
>> me know.
>>
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