Can Someone Explain This?

Hear Again said:
That's what I thought. In high school I used to be a "flowery" writer who tried to impress others by using fancy words. 99% of the time, no one could understand what the heck I was saying. I now stick to using basic vocabulary along with condensed sentence structure. Doing the latter shows more intelligence than doing the former. :)
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I used to be like that in the 6th grade. Never mind the fact I couldn't pronounce the words I knew. I still can't pronounce them.
 
Its entirely possible that an English teacher came up with this sentence as a vocabulary exercise and as a way to get students prepared to detect certain rhythms and styles of writing as they read. I can see this for a high school English class.

The questions I would bring up with the students with this sentence are:
1. What does the sentence mean to you?

2. What words do you not know? Based on the context clues, write a definition for each word.

3. Is there a certain pattern or rhythm to this sentence that could be defined as a certain type of literature? If so, what is the pattern, and define the type of literature this sentence falls in to.

4. After having analyzed this sentence - paraphrase the sentence into your own words.

5. Was writing this sentence effective writing?

Stuff like that encourages students to think more about the stuff they're reading.
 
As a writer, I don't use overly complicated language but however I use a lot of metaphors and symbolism, though I try not to make anything a one for one match to anything else.

Like for instance Casey sounds like a song about a girl, but really the song is about how a kid's first car gives them freedom to do things they never could do before. The first car is always the greatest thing.
 
Dixie said:
Its entirely possible that an English teacher came up with this sentence as a vocabulary exercise and as a way to get students prepared to detect certain rhythms and styles of writing as they read. I can see this for a high school English class.

The questions I would bring up with the students with this sentence are:
1. What does the sentence mean to you?

2. What words do you not know? Based on the context clues, write a definition for each word.

3. Is there a certain pattern or rhythm to this sentence that could be defined as a certain type of literature? If so, what is the pattern, and define the type of literature this sentence falls in to.

4. After having analyzed this sentence - paraphrase the sentence into your own words.

5. Was writing this sentence effective writing?

Stuff like that encourages students to think more about the stuff they're reading.
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This sounds like the curriculum of my 7th and 11th grade Honors English class. What fond memories I have. Well, not really, but you get my point. :lol:
 
deafskeptic said:
I used to be like that in the 6th grade. Never mind the fact I couldn't pronounce the words I knew. I still can't pronounce them.
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I also had difficulty with pronunciation only in my case, it wasn't because of my hearing. It was just because the words were far too advanced for me to use.

I should have known that I wasn't going to trick my 9th grade English teacher by using a word which contained 4 syllables and would only be used by a Ph.D. :laugh2:
 
Hear Again said:
I also had difficulty with pronunciation only in my case, it wasn't because of my hearing. It was just because the words were far too advanced for me to use.

I should have known that I wasn't going to trick my 9th grade English teacher by using a word which contained 4 syllables and would only be used by a Ph.D. :laugh2:
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I dont use words that are difficult to pronouce, just words that make one think, so they go look it up for the meaning. It can widen one's vocabulary. I'm a believer that the wider vocabulary you have, the better you are able to express yourself in written or spoken form. The only thing you need to keep in mind is your audience. Don't use language that is overly complicated for them. As Hear Again said, when speaking to a general audience, it is better to use simpler terms and structure so that you are able to articulate yourself more clearly.
 
Dixie said:
I dont use words that are difficult to pronouce, just words that make one think, so they go look it up for the meaning. It can widen one's vocabulary. I'm a believer that the wider vocabulary you have, the better you are able to express yourself in written or spoken form. The only thing you need to keep in mind is your audience. Don't use language that is overly complicated for them. As Hear Again said, when speaking to a general audience, it is better to use simpler terms and structure so that you are able to articulate yourself more clearly.
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I couldn't agree with you more Dixie. I also use more difficult vocabulary, but only when it is called for. I would never dream of posting a message here on AD filled with vocabulary words that are 8 syllables long. If I did, I would be laughed off of AD and/or ignored. :lol:
 
I love to expand my vocabulary. In fact, I subscribe to several "Word of the Day" e-mail lists. I can't get enough of them and am always hungry to learn more. :)
 
“I do not know where family doctors acquired illegibly perplexing handwriting nevertheless, extraordinary pharmaceutical intellectuality counterbalancing indecipherability, transcendentalizes intercommunications incomprehensibleness”.
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But it is funny. Seems like he is making fun of the Doctors handwriting on the RX.
 
Babyblue said:
But it is funny. Seems like he is making fun of the Doctors handwriting on the RX.
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Could be. It depends on what criticism your applying to it, and how you read it.
 
Dixie said:
Could be. It depends on what criticism your applying to it, and how you read it.
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I think it is what it means. He also mentioned the pharmacist having the comprehension of understanding the doctors RX handwriting.

Had to read it a couple of times. but I feel that is what he was trying to express. In a weird way.
 
“I do not know where family doctors acquired illegibly perplexing handwriting nevertheless, extraordinary pharmaceutical intellectuality counterbalancing indecipherability, transcendentalizes intercommunications incomprehensibleness”.

My interpretation is that the writer is commenting on the illegible handwriting of doctors and comparing it to their vast knowledge of pharmaceuticals. In other words, neither are decipherable or understandable which is funny when you think about it. :lol:
 
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