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Sociology question and grammar question.
- Thread starter waloshin
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I'm relieved to know that I'm not the only one finding that sentence weird. I almost started believing my english level wasn't as good as I previously tought... 
Well, yes, fair point, and I'm annoyed at myself that the sheer senselessness of that purported sentence on 'class consciousness' provoked me into responding. It was like an itch that I had to scratch. Ouch. (yeah, I know, once a teacher....) No more. In future, Wally, you're on your own in the grammar wars.
As I see it there are two possible scenarios. The first being that he is an attention seeking whore. The other is that his medications are badly out of kilter.
There are those who follow his random posts and threads, who would not have it any other way. He has become an institution and a bench mark that other's can be held up to. For example; McBoobPro+mrs2009=waloshin
KGB
Nice try, but you are missing the third possible scenario, in which he is an attention whore whose medications are badly out of kilter.
Nice try, but you are missing the third possible scenario, in which he is an attention whore whose medications are badly out of kilter.
Or the most brilliant troll ever...
I don't have the foggiest idea what that sentence means.
Maybe you meant something like this?
or
Who is teaching kids to write like this?
I have an ongoing argument with a young friend who writes sentences like the one above. He recently graduated with a degree in Economics. I could see the visible pain on the face of the head of his school's Economics department as he handed him his diploma...
I keep pointing him to The Economist as an example of good, concise writing. His response is that you shouldn't write an essay like a news article.
My retort is "What? It isn't a good idea to write clearly, so that your reader can understand what you are trying to say?"
I tried to help him with some of his papers, but we always wound-up arguing for hours over a single sentence or paragraph. He kept trying to stuff more words - words that he didn't even understand - into the paper. I kept throwing words out, and that troubled him greatly.
I handed him a Chicago Manual of Style. He said "no, it has to be APA."
Me: try for clarity first. Then, you can massage it into APA format.
The biggest problem I have with this type of writing is this: if the reader has to stop and think about what you wrote - has to hash it over and over to try to divine the meaning - then you have utterly failed as a writer. I pity the poor TA who HAS to read this stuff. Anyone else - pointedly, any HR manager - will toss it into the recepticle for which it is best suited.
Teachers - nor anyone else, for that matter - are not impressed by big words. They are impressed by a cogent, clear expression of what you are trying to get across.
P.S. He really hates my excessive use of em-dashes. There are worse offenses.
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What, do you mean something such as misspelling a common word like "conscious," "receptacle," or "believes?"
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What, do you mean something such as misspelling a common word like "conscious," "receptacle," or "believes?"
Yea, those. BAD spell-checker! Did Firefox 10.01 lose the spell-checker?
I usually do not reply to my threads because they explode and I do not have time to reply.
I would post my whole essay, but what if my professor finds this thread? Wouldn't they think I was possibly plagiarizing?
I have fixed my essay and had someone who works in the writing services read over my essay; they thought it was really good and enjoyed reading it.
I currently have 487 threads with 2089 posts.
I would post my whole essay, but what if my professor finds this thread? Wouldn't they think I was possibly plagiarizing?
I have fixed my essay and had someone who works in the writing services read over my essay; they thought it was really good and enjoyed reading it.
I currently have 487 threads with 2089 posts.
To get valuable feedback and check back to see what I need to do to change.
* To everybody in this thread* How about this, "Doug understands his parents social class, therefore, his class consciousness would motivate him to attend university."
What I am referring to in this sentence is how Doug's parents do not a university education; therefore, knowing this Doug must get a degree in order to be successful.
It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents - except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.
KGB
Very. They work in the Student Success Centre, which offers writing, math and stats help.
From the website:
The Student Success Centre offers writing support to students at all levels and in all disciplines. Whether youre writing your first university paper or working on your graduate thesis, our online resources and tutoring services can help you.
Do you want personal feedback on a writing assignment or task? We believe that with our writing support, students can recognize themselves as writers and, in turn, become more confident in their abilities as students and contributors to the academic community.
Meet with a tutor one-on-one to discuss your specific writing questions and needs. A tutor will work with you at any stage of the writing process, teaching practical skills and providing resources that support your ongoing development as a writer. In a typical 30-minute session, tutors ask questions, read parts of your document, explain writing principles, and discuss issues that reflect your specific concerns.
After some devious digging, it seems that he attends Carleton University in Canada
KGB
"Doug is aware of his parents' lower social class. His class consciousness motivates him to better himself by attending university."
What I am referring to in this sentence is how Doug's parents do not HAVE a university education...
I'd get a better writing tutor. The above are grammatically correct, but still awkward prose for a university student. I'd feel better if Doug were named Dick (with a sister named Jane).
