Thursday, August 12, 2004
Beginning a new argumentative essay can be a challenge. A good challenge for the brain, prodding me on to discover alternatative points of view on a specific subject.
Today, I began a paper on the subject of the English language. People believe that English is in serious decline, with many bad habits. While others argue that the Information Age has launched English into a new and creative state. What do you think?
I will be playing each side against one another. I certainly attribute this topic to the alteration of culture in Canada, greater North America, possibly the entire world. If anyone would like to comment, post here, or email me! I'm very interested in what you have to say about it, without any research, according your gut reaction. I will be sure to keep you posted on what I discover - or what I can't put in my paper due to strong opinion (I tend to do that, hey?).
Today, I began a paper on the subject of the English language. People believe that English is in serious decline, with many bad habits. While others argue that the Information Age has launched English into a new and creative state. What do you think?
I will be playing each side against one another. I certainly attribute this topic to the alteration of culture in Canada, greater North America, possibly the entire world. If anyone would like to comment, post here, or email me! I'm very interested in what you have to say about it, without any research, according your gut reaction. I will be sure to keep you posted on what I discover - or what I can't put in my paper due to strong opinion (I tend to do that, hey?).
Comments:
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Pretty broad topic, Esther. You're trying to generalize from the habits of a billion or so English speakers? I doubt that the continuum has changed much -- some are using proper grammar, correct usage and excellent vocabulary, others are making up bizarre hybrid versions of English with almost no traditional content or usage...and everyone else falls somewhere in between. I guess you could argue that more people have moved toward the non-traditional English, but to what end?
Perhaps you could narrow it down a bit. What about the question of whether kids' "lazy" writing online (using abbreviations like "another 1 4 u") is corrupting their ability to read and write real English. On one hand, they're developing bad habits...on the other hand, they're spending more time expressing themselves through writing. Might be a dumb idea, but narrower parameters tend to make these things easier to define and argue.
Perhaps you could narrow it down a bit. What about the question of whether kids' "lazy" writing online (using abbreviations like "another 1 4 u") is corrupting their ability to read and write real English. On one hand, they're developing bad habits...on the other hand, they're spending more time expressing themselves through writing. Might be a dumb idea, but narrower parameters tend to make these things easier to define and argue.
You are so right, Jer. It's nice that this is the topic I have chosen out of a list of what I considered to be even more broad subjects.
I'm thinking of taking the angle of whether or not communication is more effective written correctly or creatively online. For example, people are communicating at a higher frequency now than ever before - but are they getting their message across more succinctly? Or, are they just short-cutting language and effective levels of communication? The essay provided to measure accurately written language against creativity in advanced, technological communication is George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language" (see link here: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm ).
At the same time, I think the angle you presented is equally interesting. I found some educational sites that are concerned about the lingo and shortcuts in internet communications and unfortunately, school assignments.
I'm thinking of taking the angle of whether or not communication is more effective written correctly or creatively online. For example, people are communicating at a higher frequency now than ever before - but are they getting their message across more succinctly? Or, are they just short-cutting language and effective levels of communication? The essay provided to measure accurately written language against creativity in advanced, technological communication is George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language" (see link here: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm ).
At the same time, I think the angle you presented is equally interesting. I found some educational sites that are concerned about the lingo and shortcuts in internet communications and unfortunately, school assignments.
Interesting stuff. If this was a topic provided by the instructor, then you can use my favourite essay-writing technique: point out the flaws in the topic and spin it in any direction you want. Profs love that kind of critical thinking, as long as you can follow it up with some compelling arguments.
That Orwell essay is wonderfully cantankerous. You're right to focus on the issue of effective communication, which I think is more important than the methods used.
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That Orwell essay is wonderfully cantankerous. You're right to focus on the issue of effective communication, which I think is more important than the methods used.
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