Posted by beardedlady on March 28, 2002, at 11:32:01
In reply to Beardy: technical ? re:students, posted by trouble on March 28, 2002, at 8:48:04
Troubs:
Hmmm. I suppose I should clarify what I meant by "water down." Trouble, that was an excellent post. Your questions were eloquent and poetic. Trouble, I think that was an excellent post. I believe your questions were eloquent and poetic.
The first time, I sounded like I meant what I said. The second time, it sounded like, "but I could be mistaken" could be added to what I said. It makes it seem like I'd change my mind, depending on what others thought of what I said, or that my position was dependant upon the approval of others. Na'mean?
But that may be want you want. Because the other effect it has is that it makes others less intimidated. So if they disagree with you, they may not feel threatened. (I don't want anyone to disagree with me! So crawl under that carpet, and shut up!)
But that advice for my students is meant for writing, not necessarily speaking. If you can sound convicted without catchin' a 'tude or sounding rude or trouncing on someone else's feelings, great. But it's hard. In essays, though, you want people to see your side, to believe you, to trust what you're saying. And if it's valid, they will. If it's not, well, at least you tried to be persusasive.
> Is it good or bad to begin a statement by saying-
>
> "In my opinion" or
> "Current research finds," or
> "Conventional wisdom dictates," or
> "To paraphrase Gloria Stienem," or
> "Statistically speaking," or
> "History shows", etcI'd skip the first one. I like to make the wild claim—without I think, I feel, I believe, or in my opinion—then back it up with the other stuff. That's where the credibility comes in.
> I just want to COME ACROSS, w/out being disingenous, pompous, strident, humorless, castrating, over-educated, or womanish. Is this possible?
No. No shit. The answer is no. You'll sound like one of those things to somebody, for sure. I always try to find something to agree with or to find something good in someone else's argument before I trash it. Like, "You're right. Capitalism can be seen as good for music. Without capitalism, how would we even have access to these bands? Someone has to sign them, distribute them, play them. But capitalism often kills the creativity of musicians who are striving to be who they are, to do something original, rather than simply be marketable. Blah, blah, blah.
> I'm very worried that my new Civility Practice might diminish the strength of my personality too, but I'm sticking w/it for now.
I might have read about your civility practice. Can't you find a happy (sorry) medium? I dunno. Can't you make a point and then throw the desk? Can you rewrite your definition of civility? Do you have to be sweetness and light to be civil? (Or Sybill?) (Sorry.)
> I've come a long way from throwing textbooks and kicking over desks to emphasize a point, now where's my authority?
Your posts sound like you are throwing textbooks and kicking over desks. Aren't you? Don't you wanna?
Do I need to take a pill, Trouble? Am I so anal about English that I can't have a conversation in lower case? Or without a misplaced comma?
I guess my posts come off as sort of methodical and logical, rather than emotional. That's because I break a lot of dishes. I bash them with a hammer and cut them with nippers. Sometimes I throw them.
> thanks Beardy,No, thank you.
> trouble
No trouble at all.
(But I do have a pretty rockin' sense of humor.)
I meant to say I liked "slattern" a lot. A real lot.
beardly : )>
poster:beardedlady
thread:20996
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020325/msgs/21117.html