4 ms·

This kind of distinctly academic writing is bewildering and nauseating. I felt that the author turns phrases just to hear how they sound, not because he believe

This kind of distinctly academic writing is bewildering and nauseating. I felt that the author turns phrases just to hear how they sound, not because he believes what he is saying. Maybe spending the majority of his adult life in the confines of the college system instinctively makes him pander to what he believes the Chronicle wants to hear, as if this is one more test and by adding overbearing Greek allusions he just might make the grade.

GFK_of_xmaspast 12y ago
Just because you don't understand something is no grounds for denigrating it.
ap22213 12y ago
Some people (like me) actually prefer this style of writing. I find the factors that you find nauseating to be stimulating. I get bored too easily reading common prose. So, when I find something like this (or others on the chronicle) it energizes me. I need something like this, occasionally. So, while I'll agree that this article isn't the best-written one I've read, I do like its style. But, since yours is currently the top-most comment, I'll assume that I'm in the minority. And, that's ok.
vinceguidry 12y ago
The writing in the essay is considerably better than your average college essay, which is typically written to a very specific rubric and intended to communicate nothing less than that the author read and minimally processed the material. I would classify the piece as slightly overwrought. The author could have done just a bit more to rein in the flowery language, but as is, I found it thoughtful and engaging. The key insight is buried at the bottom of the essay, but once you can pull it out, the rest of it makes sense. One should learn how to read this stuff. The Internet has kind of forced everyone to adopt specific writing practices that suit the ephemeral nature of the medium, and that's really a shame. I remember when I read Pride and Prejudice, once I was able to get used to Austen's style, I really enjoyed it. I certainly would not have wanted to read a modern rewrite that just got to the damned point already.

GFK_of_xmaspast 12y ago

Just because you don't understand something is no grounds for denigrating it.

ap22213 12y ago

Some people (like me) actually prefer this style of writing. I find the factors that you find nauseating to be stimulating. I get bored too easily reading common prose. So, when I find something like this (or others on the chronicle) it energizes me. I need something like this, occasionally. So, while I'll agree that this article isn't the best-written one I've read, I do like its style. But, since yours is currently the top-most comment, I'll assume that I'm in the minority. And, that's ok.

vinceguidry 12y ago

The writing in the essay is considerably better than your average college essay, which is typically written to a very specific rubric and intended to communicate nothing less than that the author read and minimally processed the material. I would classify the piece as slightly overwrought. The author could have done just a bit more to rein in the flowery language, but as is, I found it thoughtful and engaging. The key insight is buried at the bottom of the essay, but once you can pull it out, the rest of it makes sense. One should learn how to read this stuff. The Internet has kind of forced everyone to adopt specific writing practices that suit the ephemeral nature of the medium, and that's really a shame. I remember when I read Pride and Prejudice, once I was able to get used to Austen's style, I really enjoyed it. I certainly would not have wanted to read a modern rewrite that just got to the damned point already.