Jeanne Melchior on sat 10 apr 99
Even though I'm a potter to the soul, I teach English to keep the body
attached to the soul. My feeling is that if you are publishing a book, or
if you are writing a paper for a grade, check for spelling. If you are
writing to friends--write from your heart and mean what you say. Sincerity
and love cancel out spelling errors--and grammar errors. I do use a
pottery analogy with students, though. If your ideas are wonderful, and
the form is sloppy, your great ideas won't say as much. On the other hand,
you can have perfect form (no errors) but if you don't say anything of
value, then you have a sterile vessel. The goal in public writing, as in
pottery, should be to have both outstanding ideas and skillfully crafted
form. Writing to Clayart is writing from the heart to friends. It feels
to me like a place to play--with words and ideas. It's a place to toss
around unfinished forms and ideas. I am one English teacher (and I think
I'm good at it) who won't judge you. Save the spell chequer for the hard
core stuff. Sincerely, jeanne melchior--in rural southern Indiana
tgschs10 on sun 11 apr 99
I am a physician, elderlaw attorney and POTTER. I graduated from law school
at the age of 60 and when I counted up all the years of schooling, I found
to my amazement that I had 30 years of formal education counting internships
and residencies. I now work about 20 hours a week as a volunteer physician
with homeless and migrant workers. Many of them are not educated in the
formal sense and their English is often poor but they are often smarter and
wiser than most doctors or attorneys that I deal with. My father only had a
sixth grade education; he was the smartest man I ever knew. Don't be
hesitant to correspond on claynet because of speeling misstakes. iadees are
what is important. The way you are is much more important that how you look.
Tom Sawyer, M.D., J.D.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeanne Melchior
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Saturday, April 10, 1999 8:25 AM
Subject: spelling--A "Good " English teacher speaks
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Even though I'm a potter to the soul, I teach English to keep the body
attached to the soul. My feeling is that if you are publishing a book, or
if you are writing a paper for a grade, check for spelling. If you are
writing to friends--write from your heart and mean what you say. Sincerity
and love cancel out spelling errors--and grammar errors. I do use a
pottery analogy with students, though. If your ideas are wonderful, and
the form is sloppy, your great ideas won't say as much. On the other hand,
you can have perfect form (no errors) but if you don't say anything of
value, then you have a sterile vessel. The goal in public writing, as in
pottery, should be to have both outstanding ideas and skillfully crafted
form. Writing to Clayart is writing from the heart to friends. It feels
to me like a place to play--with words and ideas. It's a place to toss
around unfinished forms and ideas. I am one English teacher (and I think
I'm good at it) who won't judge you. Save the spell chequer for the hard
core stuff. Sincerely, jeanne melchior--in rural southern Indiana
Bill Aycock on mon 12 apr 99
This one time I am going to leave a complete quote in a reply. One reason
is that the statement is deserving of re-reading. Another is that I want to
place one of my favorite short quotes after it. It is from a master of one
of the more difficult crafts. I wonder how many will identify the master,
or the craft?
At 08:14 AM 04/10/1999 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>
>Even though I'm a potter to the soul, I teach English to keep the body
>attached to the soul. My feeling is that if you are publishing a book, or
>if you are writing a paper for a grade, check for spelling. If you are
>writing to friends--write from your heart and mean what you say. Sincerity
>and love cancel out spelling errors--and grammar errors. I do use a
>pottery analogy with students, though. If your ideas are wonderful, and
>the form is sloppy, your great ideas won't say as much. On the other hand,
>you can have perfect form (no errors) but if you don't say anything of
>value, then you have a sterile vessel. The goal in public writing, as in
>pottery, should be to have both outstanding ideas and skillfully crafted
>form. Writing to Clayart is writing from the heart to friends. It feels
>to me like a place to play--with words and ideas. It's a place to toss
>around unfinished forms and ideas. I am one English teacher (and I think
>I'm good at it) who won't judge you. Save the spell chequer for the hard
>core stuff. Sincerely, jeanne melchior--in rural southern Indiana
>
From the next-to-last page of a masters How-to-do-it book. now in its third
edition.
"But", the student may ask, "what if it comes natural to me to experiment
rather than conform? What if I am a pioneer, or even a genius?" Answer:
then be one. But do not forget that what may seem like pioneering may be
merely evasion, or laziness-- the disinclination to submit to discipline.
It goes on, but the next sentence will give away the craft, so---
-
Bill Aycock --- Persimmon Hill
Woodville, Alabama, US 35776
(in the N.E. corner of the State)
W4BSG -- Grid EM64vr
baycock@HiWAAY.net
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