I whole-heartedly agree with Paul's assessment. I think most of us who teach at the college level hold HS teachers in the highest of respect. Those who don't should (as I have done) spend some time teaching high school. As they say down home, that would learn 'em a thing or two. Tim Tim Hadley Research Assistant, The Graduate School Ph.D. candidate, Technical Communication and Rhetoric Texas Tech University Editor, ATEG Journal ________________________________ From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Stahlke, Herbert F.W. Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 7:38 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Mere HS teachers And notice where the interesting sentences are coming from. Herb ________________________________ From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Crow Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 3:58 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Mere HS teachers Paul, I absolutely echo your reaction to "mere"! The sentence in question was written as part of a description of my student's pet bulldog. John On 3/13/06, Paul E. Doniger <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Cynthia, As a fellow HS English (and drama) teacher, I refuse to be "mere" and hope you will hold such a high opinion of yourself, too. We are a breed who have to be able to read a billion pages of student writing every month (more or less) and help all the writers of those pages make them better. I think there is nothing "mere" about that daunting task -- and that's only ONE of our required tasks. Proudly, Paul D. P.S. I agree with your approach to this weird and interesting sentence. P.P.S. I think the sentence is describing what is called a "burnside." It's a mutton-chop/moustache combination like that sported by General Ambrose Burnside of the Civil War era. Does anyone know if that's it? To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/