Hi

"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." 
- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Personally, I prefer to read thoughts that are expressed as full sentences, 
whether on-line, in a paper, or in written work of students.  Because cryptic, 
point-form comments work for one's own notes or to prompt fuller spoken 
expression of ideas (e.g., powerpoint outlines) does not mean that academics 
should start to write that way to one another.

Take care
Jim




James M. Clark
Professor of Psychology
204-786-9757
204-774-4134 Fax
[email protected]

>>> Michael Smith <[email protected]> 20-Nov-10 11:20:04 AM >>>
In response to: "It is tiring and unnecessary (I think) to wade
through a lot of verbiage particularly on a list-serve"
Allen said " I find that a rather remarkable comment, on two counts.
First, no one has to "wade" through any post on this listserv"

First the first statement isn't really remarkable at all.
Of course, if you want to be very literal you can claim Allen's
response as being a legitimate interpretation.
Of course it isn't, and he knows it I presume (or perhaps I presume too much).

An intelligent interpretation would be that the statement presumes the
person is interested in the subject.
Then to find out what the author is saying, the reader must read all
the verbiage.

If Allen and Mike P really believe that it's news to people that they
don't have to read what they don't want to......well what can you say.

Allen's second point. "Second, this is a listserv for professionals
(academics, one might say). There are some issues that cannot be dealt
with adequately in a few concise sentence..."

This is clearly wrong.
There is no subject no matter how complex that cannot benefit from concision.
It also excludes most of the posts here since almost nothing discussed
here is "complex".

In addition, no one suggested that the response:
not be well thought out
must be limited to a few sentences.
not include references

The actual point was:

Complete english sentences and paragraphs are unnecessary and so are quotes.

Including these actually detracts from the essential points.
That is, for busy "professionals (academics, one might say)."

--Mike

---
You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected].
To unsubscribe click here: 
http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=6624
 
or send a blank email to 
leave-6624-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu


---
You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected].
To unsubscribe click here: 
http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=6635
or send a blank email to 
leave-6635-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu

Reply via email to