You Can't Write That
You Can't Write That
People read and write a range of English every day, yet what counts as 'correct' English has been narrowly defined and tested for 150 years. This book is written for educators, students, employers and scholars who are seeking a more just and knowledgeable perspective on English writing. It brings together history, headlines, and research with accessible visuals and examples, to provide an engaging overview of the complex nature of written English, and to offer a new approach for our diverse and digital writing world. Each chapter addresses a particular 'myth' of “correct” writing, such as 'students today can't write' or 'the internet is ruining academic writing', and presents the myth's context and consequences. By the end of the book, readers will know how to go from hunting errors to seeking (and finding) patterns in English writing today. This title is also available as open access on Cambridge Core.
- Emphasises that all writing in English shares similar purposes and patterns, radically challenging the traditional notions of what counts as correct English
- Includes headlines from 150 years of school reports and media to highlight how myths circulate widely and similarly
- Provides annotated authentic writing samples and writing tasks throughout the myth chapters
- This book is also available as open access
Reviews & endorsements
'A timely text that all readers can enjoy, and a refreshing counterpart to the many prescriptive writing/grammar texts being published … Recommended.' P. J. Kurtz, CHOICE
Product details
November 2023Paperback
9781009231282
240 pages
228 × 151 × 14 mm
0.36kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction: When writing means correct writing
- 1. Myth 1: You can't write that
- 2. Myth 2: You can't write that in school
- 3. Myth 3: You can't write that and be smart
- 4. Myth 4: You can't write that on the test
- 5. Myth 5: Chances are, you can't write
- 6. Myth 6: You can't write if you didn't write well in high school
- 7. Myth 7: You can't get a job if you didn't write well in college
- 8. Myth 8: You can't write that because internet
- Conclusion: Writing continuum, language exploration.
