The Cold, Blunt, Horrifying Truth

This column by a professor of English makes the case that the quality of writing in his classes is declining. He illustrates his point by reprinting several passages written by average grade 9 students in New York about 50 years ago. Here’s one example.

“At present I am learning the mechanics of the devices that handle the communications of this day and age. Later on the class will delve into a subject of much importance today, and in which I am especially interested - the atom. I hope to learn much in this unit. After that the class will go on to another topic that holds my interest, the prolongation of life or the conquest of disease.“

Ontario parents might find it interesting to compare this passage to an excerpt of student writing from last year’s grade 10 literacy test. This passage was ranked in the top (of six) category and is reproduced exactly as written.

“Part time-employment for students is a highly speculated and interesting topic. I feel every student should have a part-time job in highschool. To begin with it allows students to earn a type of income. Secondly it gives students a sense of independence to be out in the work force. Finally I feel it would be a good idea to earn work experience which will better their chances of getting a decent job in the future.“

Of course, nothing is proved by taking isolated passages like this and comparing them. Nor can we draw any conclusions from the spelling and grammar mistakes in the latter passage, as the former passage may well have been edited. Yet there is a qualitative difference between the two passages which we find very suggestive - the vocabulary, the tautness and complexity of sentence structure, and the awareness of the larger picture - all contribute to a more mature and literate writing style.

Here’s another example of grade 9 writing from the past.

“The drab clothing and scenery helped to set an unpleasant, solemn atmosphere and helped to annoy the captive audience a little bit more. Annoying the audience was probably what made this such a compelling moment in theater. With the lights, the sharp, harsh pounding of the gavel, and the drab atmosphere I began to realize I wasn’t being entertained and I wasn’t having a happy time of it, but rather I was being told the truth, the cold, blunt, horrifying truth.“

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