Spelling and grammar foolishness

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by digit, Nov 13, 2002.

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  1. Professor Kennedy

    Professor Kennedy New Member

    telefax: "You, like me, know what has been expected in the past when it comes to writing answers to unseen written examination papers - typically, answer 4 questions out of 9 or 10 in 3 hours! "

    At EBS we allow no choice of questions: it is answer all the questions asked or gain zero marks for unanswered questions.

    Nobody could accuse EBS of lowering standards (we have one of the toughest exam regimes for MBAs in the world) but our judgement of the candidate's performance does not concentrate on the verbiage that opens an answer (for a US student) or the syntax of an answer from a Chinese or Haitian for whom English is a foreign language (as long as we get the message).

    In my academic work I try for the highest standards of spelling, grammar and writing style and I expect the same from the writings of other academics. I might use 'sic' on occasion but usually in 18th century texts in case the reader thought I had copied the quotation wrongly (my current research is on the philosophy of Adam Smith, 1723-1790). But I would not bother with the prose of a 21st century non-English speaking student in an MBA exam. That is the only point I am making. If the concept is expressed correctly and applied or evaluated appropriately that is what I grade.

    No big deal. I am not sure where we differ.
     
  2. Myoptimism

    Myoptimism New Member

    Re: I agree and disagree..!

    Well now, let's see. A quick fix to a quick problem? Personally, considering the ever increasing pace of life and our information overload (both of which are only going to get worse), new approaches are needed to maintain coherency of any kind. Specialization is one approach. If we can imagine the new information that computer techs will need to keep up with (only to stay competent, no trailblazers here), we can empathize with their relative lack of concern in being grammatically perfect. The same holds or will hold true in quite a few other fields. You could argue that grammar is essential, and there is time to gain at least a competent control of it, and you may be right, at least for the near future.

    More on the topic of a quick fix education. Let's imagine a modern day renaissance man, who lacks a credential only, not an education. Is there any doubt this person would gain even more knowledge going the traditional way as opposed to...BA4Weeks or another highly accelerated program? Of course not, but that isn't the same as stating the graduate of the traditional program has a better education.

    Tony

    Sorry for using the hated phrases; I was just having fun.

    :)
     
  3. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Vladika Russell, Bill's picking on me again!

    Bill, you EDITED your (*&(*^%* POST. It said coventation when I looked at it.

    I think.

    Maybe.

    Anyway, the general point stands that nobody really gets after people for typos, or even for bad grammatical errors, unless it's relentlessly repeated (remember "liscenced"?) and/or comes from a mill shill or other idle vaunter.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 14, 2002
  4. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    People will do what they will do. There's little gained in fighting that fact. I've smirked a bit while reading some threads, thinking that the argument was silly. Then I've remembered some of the silly arguments I've let myself get into on this forum and my smirk disappears. You criticize people for their petty arguments about spelling and grammar saying it's a waste of time, etc. and yet your argument is equally petty (even if you're right). Take your own adice. If people are wasting time being petty don't waste more time complaining about it. By the way, I think your English is better than many native Americans I could mention. Don't worry about it. Also, I've been meaning to ask you...are the women in Iceland as pretty as they're reputed to be? (Just setting myself up for the resulting petty PC flame fest) :D
    Jack
     
  5. Roscoe

    Roscoe Guest

    Off-topic: Are Iceland women taller?

    Hey Jack,

    I think it was Matt Lauer of the Today show who said once that the women in Iceland are taller than the average woman in the U.S. He said this during his annual "Where in the world is Matt Laurer?" tour.

    Any truth to this?

    Roscoe
     
  6. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Re: Off-topic: Are Iceland women taller?

    This fits in with what I've heard...tall, blonde, blue-eyed, very Nordic. Perhaps not to everyones taste but not altogether unattractive either :D
    Jack
     
  7. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Re: Re: Spelling and grammar foolishness


    Hey here fellers, it don't make no never mind bout grammer an spellin an all. As long as I got my Ph.D. thats all that matters.

    Dr. Jim Bob Jones, Ph.D. (American College) ;)
     
  8. Guest

    Guest Guest

    In the words of my dear mother, "You boys straighten up and act right." ;)
     
  9. Bill Huffman

    Bill Huffman Well-Known Member

    I agree with everything everyone said except for the stuff people said that I don't agree with.

    In order to promote unity and happiness here on DegreeInfo, I'm volunteering to be the flaming target for the week. No more flaming anyone else. Remember that this week I'm here just for your flaming pleasure.
    __________________________________________________
    Oh yea and you people that I disagree with, I still accept you as a human being, just stupid human beings. (I just wanted to try and help get things started.)
     
  10. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member


    -------------------------------------

    No, No, just like a Lutheran to see something that's not really there!:p
     
  11. Gary Rients

    Gary Rients New Member

  12. Yes. You can really see many of the degreeinfo personalities represented here. I also liked the comment that "Digital forums are a gift to the slow witted." :D
     
  13. Guest

    Guest Guest

    WHICH DegreeInfo personalities? ;)
     
  14. Myoptimism

    Myoptimism New Member

    Re: Re: Re: Spelling and grammar foolishness

    ...and here is an early Christmas gift for our esteemed Dr. Morris.

    :D

    Tony
     

    Attached Files:

  15. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Spelling and grammar foolishness

    Tony,

    Thank you, my lifelong aspirations have come true. If I can download this on parchment paper the $199 tuition fee can be avoided, and I will have earned my Ph.D. at no cost. How can I download my degree? :D
     
  16. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    Re: Re: levicoff

    Perhaps a lack of facility or comfort with the language or culture would hide what to others would be obvious humor in Levicoff's reply. But surely you do not see this as "flaming"?!
     
  17. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    Great link! Thanks!
     
  18. Sigma

    Sigma New Member

    GraMmir

    gLad I am mY owN BoSS!
     
  19. wfready

    wfready New Member

    Wow! So all forums have different types of crazy people like degreeinfo??

    I can think of a person on here for almost all these personalities. :D

    Best Regards,
    Bill
     
  20. Myoptimism

    Myoptimism New Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Spelling and grammar foolishness

    Just right click on the diploma, and choose the 'save as' parchment file. Of course, you will need the newest release of WinXP for this option. ;)

    Tony
     

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