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Start-Up Activity
Before class, put an obvious smear of makeup on your cheek or nose (or place a large white piece of lint or other obvious distraction on your shirt). Start class as usual and see how long it takes before a student lets you know about the problem. Thank the student and continue talking. See how long it takes for the students to ask you to remove the offending spot. Then say, "It's almost like you can't pay attention to what I'm saying because you are so distracted by this spot."
Of course, that's the whole point. When you have a smudge on your face or a spot on your shirt, no one can focus on anything else. In the same way, a mistake in writing draws all eyes to it, and the ideas get lost. Writers should fix errors for the same reason that people should remove spots from their faces or shirts—so that people can actually hear what they are trying to say.
Think About It
“A friend of mine tells that I talk in shorthand and then smudge it.”
—J. R. R. Tolkien
Start-Up Activity
Before class, put an obvious smear of makeup on your cheek or nose (or place a large white piece of lint or other obvious distraction on your shirt). Start class as usual and see how long it takes before a student lets you know about the problem. Thank the student and continue talking. See how long it takes for the students to ask you to remove the offending spot. Then say, "It's almost like you can't pay attention to what I'm saying because you are so distracted by this spot."
Of course, that's the whole point. When you have a smudge on your face or a spot on your shirt, no one can focus on anything else. In the same way, a mistake in writing draws all eyes to it, and the ideas get lost. Writers should fix errors for the same reason that people should remove spots from their faces or shirts—so that people can actually hear what they are trying to say.
Think About It
“A friend of mine tells that I talk in shorthand and then smudge it.”
—J. R. R. Tolkien
