(no subject)

These numbers increased during the early and latter 15th century.

Ah, bless their pointy little heads. It wouldn't have had quite the same charm to just say these numbers increased during the 15th century, I guess.

And, why, yes, I have been marking second year history essays again! How observant of you all!

Speaking of pointy heads, ow, my head. I've had a raging headache since lunch that feels like the bastard son of dehydration and a sinus headache, and it hasn't gone away despite the amount of water I've had to drink this afternoon. My kidneys, on the other hand, are positively floating.

(no subject)

It's odd -- I do run into people (particularly Americans, for some reason) who believe that Good Writing is impenetrable, and uses Lots of Long Words. I was taught, growing up, reading people like Fowler and Graves, that the secret of good writing was clarity and, where possible, simplicity, and that the aim was, above all, communication. By all means use any word you want, as long as it's exactly the right word for what you need to say.
- officialgaiman

Ah, what timing. I wish more of my students had read Neil's thoughts on writing before sitting down to their essays.

It's possible, mind you, that I'm pot and kettling over here, so I'll just be quiet now.

*pointedly does not make eye contact with the thesis, which is likely chock full of inexact words*