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Author Archives: knlistman
Order matters how?
While diction determines word choice, syntax determines where the words are placed. Language without syntax are words strung together with no method to the madness–in other words, nonsense. Our normal syntax mimics what we have heard before. Unique syntax requires mixing … Continue reading
Posted in Style and voice, Teaching writing skills, Writer's resource
Tagged Sentence (linguistics), Star Wars, Syntax, Writer's voice
3 Comments
Tone of voice
Tone of voice… you have probably heard this phrase used frequently, such as in “I don’t like your tone of voice.” As a child I often assumed that phrase was the adults’ way of reprimanding someone whose statement was not … Continue reading
Write or wrong word
Diction is one of the building blocks of voice that pushed far enough can become a two-edged sword, making the written word dangerously inaccessible to readers. When teaching Shakespeare’s plays to students I frequently pointed out that it was not … Continue reading
Voice, deconstructed
Voice in writing can be best defined by breaking it down into its components. But the problem remains that voice is comprised of different things, depending on who you ask. According to the Texas TAKS writing rubric, voice is demonstrated … Continue reading
The writer’s voice
When people speak they produce many different signals that the audience can interpret: facial expressions, gestures, and timbre of voice can add to the meaning of the words, or reverse them. For example, a person saying “Good job!” in a … Continue reading
Posted in Style and voice, Teaching writing skills, Writer's resource
Tagged Creative writing, Voice, Writers Resources
1 Comment
Write about writing
When students face the task of writing for state mandated tests, there are always a few that want to vent their spleen by describing how much they hate to do this kind of writing. The hapless scorer must read through … Continue reading
The reason for writing
Because of the glaring short comings of multiple choice question as an indicator of persons ability to evaluate or synthesize idea, the written essay has become a staple of state-mandated educational tests. Writing does take a lot more planning of … Continue reading
Posted in Teaching writing skills, Writer's resource
Tagged Alan Paton, Essay, state assessments, Writers Resources, Writing
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The higher level gamble
The attempt to create “higher level” multiple choice questions does not always result in valid assessment. In fact, I’m beginning to wonder if this kind of close-ended, limited choice question can even legitimately test anything beyond a simple analysis. In … Continue reading
Posted in Education trends, Standardized testing
Tagged Bloom's Taxonomy, Multiple choice, Skill, Tests
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The time of tests
The ancient Chinese refined the process of choosing officials based on testing. Prospective government employees would spend days ensconced in little tents taking the massive exam. If they scored high they could expect a cushy job as part of the … Continue reading
Posted in Education trends, Standardized testing
Tagged China, Purpose of testing, Standardized test
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Multiple Choice Mess
Having worked both in education as a teacher, and in industry as a developer of certifications, I understand the prevalence of multiple-choice tests. They are easy to administer and grade without the specter of subjectivity. But it is not simple … Continue reading
Write about what? 