A challenge to the university students of today.

from JoeUser Forums

The other day I was at a seminar that was sponsored by the publishing company that makes the textbooks that I use at my school.  During the seminar, we had some speakers tell us how to better prepare our students to read and write.  It was a reasonably good seminar.

Something struck me as funny as I was sitting through the writing workshop.  The presenter mentioned that we should teach our students how to differentiate their writing voice depending on the type of writing that they're doing.  The example she gave was that kids shouldn't write "The End" at the end of an essay on penguins.

What struck me as funny was imaging finishing one of my papers in college with: "The End."  I think that if I were still in college, I would end a paper with "The End" just to get a rise out of the professor.  (Especially my teacher of "School and Society" who fancied herself to be professional grammatician.)

Here is my challenge to the students of today: At the conclusion of one of your essays or theme papers, write "The End."  See what happens.

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3,384 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I love this! I really hope people do it. Hey all you college students - when you do this, make sure to post your professor's reaction to Jamie's blog.

If I take a summer class I'll do it! I think College of Education professors would especially love something like that at the end of a paper. They'd probably have no sense of humor about it.

Nancy
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Nancy, I hope that you do as you say... That will be so funny.

I am afraid however that due to the apparent lack-of-response to this article, I wouldn't be optimistic about anyone (else) taking up my challenge.

Maybe I will just have to wait until I bite the bullet and go get those last four credits on my Master's Degree.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'd take it up, but the essays I'm writing now are in Indonesian, and noone would get the joke if I ended one with 'terakhirnya'. But once I get home I'll give it a go.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hmmmm... I'm an English major, so I worry that the reaction could be rather violent, but I may give it a try. I have a paper due next monday, and the Prof. could be convinced to not kill me if I explain the reason I'm putting The End at the end of my paper. However, if he still gets on to me, I'm blaming you.