Wednesday, October 5, 2005
Michael F. Shaughnessy
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, New Mexico
1) First of all, what got you interested in writing?
The first answer is that I was born this way. The second answer is that having a brain tumor diagnosed and successfully removed in 2003 "cleared my head," propelling me to write because NOW is all we have. I've written three books in three genres (so far): a reference/workbook - The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, a self-help/spiritual book - Enough Is Enough! Stop Enduring and Start Living Your Extraordinary Life, and a novel I'm completing.
2) How important do you think it is that individuals are able to express themselves cogently, coherently, and correctly in writing?
You can often get a foot in the door with an employer if you can write well, even if you don't have equal expertise or experience of another candidate. Writing well is "golden" to employers. In addition, writing well stimulates our own thinking process, helping us reason and persuade more effectively--two qualities that further anyone seeking a career, not just a job.
3) What are your concerns about the SAT writing portion of the test?
The SAT writing portion hasn't been used long enough for me to know its pitfalls. If, however, we embrace the notion of "emotional intelligences," thinking cohesively on paper is only one of many of these intelligences. The SAT and most other college-prep tests do not measure other forms of intelligence that can lead to highly successful, self-realized lives.
4) How important do you think the high school term paper is?
It's good practice for the SAT as well as for college papers and theses. It's also good practice for "real life" after graduation. For many students, term papers help them learn the skills of outlining, critical thinking, and organization. Because this can be difficult, even for seasoned writers, it can also be very satisfying. With supportive instruction, students should have a sense of accomplishment from all this effort.
5) Is the SAT writing proficiency, in your mind, a valid, reliable test?
It is a valid, reliable test for kids who have studied and practiced the skills needed to do well on it and for those who have writing as one of their "emotional intelligences." If a student does not have access to the test preparation material or does not have the cultural or educational support to master this portion of the test, it's probably going to be a disaster.
Or can it be "beat" so to speak?
I don't think you can "beat" this portion of the test.
6) Do you see a relationship between writing and thinking?
Writing reflects our ability to think but it also enhances it. When we see our thoughts on paper, we can also see the flaws, inconsistencies, and gaps in logic in a way we can't when we speak and our words dissolve into thin air.
7) What are you currently writing?
A novel, which is a life-long dream that I was afraid to face for a long time.
8) How can people find out more about your ideas? Do you have a web site?
I've got two websites. On this one, you can see the contents of The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, order the book, or take an online quiz. To see excerpts of Enough Is Enough! Stop Enduring and Start Living Your Extraordinary Life and a video clip of one of my seminars, go to www.stopenduring.com.
9) What question have I neglected to ask ?
"Are we almost there yet?"
This information was provided by http://www.educationnews.org.
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