Ian writes:
> Excuse me as a long time lurker, but it's just occurred to me that I don't
> know what you people actually do nowadays when you are teaching academic
> writing.
and Ian continues:
>....Or do you teach people to write clearly and pithily, in the
>way that I have been trying to learn ever since leaving University,
>for example: ......(I won't include his examples - see his message)
My response :
I think we people do lots of different, infinitely flexible, things!
Speaking for myself, much depends on the educational, cultural &
linguistic background of the students. I don't teach British
(English, Scottish or Welsh) native English speakers; only
international students from outside Europe, so my perspective and
'methodology' is tilted in that direction. I pass on pithiness
whenever I can - even to colleagues. An instance the other day - a
note on a lecture room door:
A colleague had written (letter-style in 11 font):
To all International Quantity Surveying students attending English
language classes: Please note, as from today, and until further
notice, this room will no longer be used. Please go to Room
B29 instead, and be kind enough to tell any other members of your
class.
In a fit of pique, fired by a need for pith, I replaced this with (in
18 font) :
MONDAY 21 Sept.
International students (QS3 & 4) :
GO TO ROOM B29 for English workshop
Why? The first one gave too much information & would take
12 international students a total of 12 minutes to dig out the
message. The second gave enough information and would take 12
students a total of 1 minute total comprehension & response time (5
seconds each). No date was on the first note - so there was an info.
deficit (reference to 'today' with no date) as well as densely
packed irrelevance.
International students would welcome a bit more day-to-day
pith from their British (academic) lecturers.
Ann Gavriel
Aberdeen, UK. Tel: 01224 262135
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