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RE: The debate that won't die (was RE: Remember secretaries? (was RE: Proof that content is more important than style))
Subject:RE: The debate that won't die (was RE: Remember secretaries? (was RE: Proof that content is more important than style)) From:"Barbara Yanez" <BarbaraYanez -at- cogentsystems -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 3 Dec 2002 16:52:22 -0800
Amen (to Keith) . I taught English for 8 years, and trust me, NOT everyone can write well. Most people can make themselves understood, but NOT everyone can write well. Some people just do not have an ability to write well. And it does not always have to do with overall intelligence, although frequently that is a factor. I have taught people who were distinguished in their fields (medicine, etc.,) and - try as they might, they simply could not write *well*. Passably, yes, but not well.
Barbara Yanez
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Anita wrote:
> I disagree. In my opinion, if one does not posses the ability to write
> well, one can be taught to write well, provided one has the ability to
> learn. Therefore, the ability to write well CAN be imparted.
Keith wrote:
To the depths of my soul, I disagree.
I'll give you this much: pretty much any student can be taught to write
*passably*. They can meet minimum educational requirements. But write
*well*? Sorry, not everybody.
I say that not out of snobbishness, but from experience. Writing *well* is
a skill as elusive as things like pitch-awareness or rhythm are in certain
people.
Think anybody can be taught to write well? Try teaching them.
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