"Whatnot" is definitely a word, and has two meanings: 1)"and
the like," as in "paperclips, pins, and whatnot." 2) a knicknack shelf.
(Merriam Webster's Collegiate) The first would be a rather colloquial in
scientific writing, but not wrong.
A one-sentence paragraph is acceptable when it makes a different
point than the paragraphs that surround it (as this one would, if it had
a next paragraph); but I agree they are overused. :-)
don
Donald McBurney
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Scoles [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 5:59 PM
To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences
Subject: RE: Writing Pet Peeves
I had a student swear that "whatnot" was a word and that he had seen it
used in professional journals many times. When I asked him to bring me
a photocopy, he said he didn't have time to find the articles.
During the discussion of professional writing style and whatnot, I
mentioned that people (around here) say, "fixin' to", but they usually
don't write it. He became upset and commenced to comlaining about the
negative image people have of Dale Earnhardt fans. (No, I'm not making
this up.)
My main pet peeves:
One-sentence paragraphs. Don, when are they appropriate?
Overuse of quotes.
Describing the process of a literature review. ("When I
searched PsycInfo for information on this topic . . .")
Giving the reader directions. ("Now we should consider another
theory.")
*************************************************
Michael T. Scoles, Ph.D.
Director, Arkansas Charter School Resource Center
Associate Professor of Psychology & Counseling
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR 72035
voice: (501) 450-5418
fax: (501) 450-5424
*************************************************
---
You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To unsubscribe send a blank email to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
---
You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
