As I said above -- usage is about meaning. "Correct" usage, according to some style sheet, that does not communicate your meaning well, is more of a problem than incorrect (stupid modern usage) that does convey what you want to say.
I think it is more important to teach students why using the right words is important, rather than just passing on a list of pet peeves. So the death list should have those words that are commonly misused, and thus hinder communication. Then you tell students that the point is about communicating effectively. Misusing the words on the Death List may be less of deal than writing fornications instead of fortifications, but it is the same category of error. Understanding the concept will make the students better writers than just remembering the words on Mr. Perry's death list 20 years later.
Hmmm... so, hey. Put fornications/fortifications on the list, or some other such obviously problematic mistake -- it might drive home the point a little better. Not to mention that a little humor may make the whole thing more memorable.
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Date: 2006-02-06 06:16 pm (UTC)I think it is more important to teach students why using the right words is important, rather than just passing on a list of pet peeves. So the death list should have those words that are commonly misused, and thus hinder communication. Then you tell students that the point is about communicating effectively. Misusing the words on the Death List may be less of deal than writing fornications instead of fortifications, but it is the same category of error. Understanding the concept will make the students better writers than just remembering the words on Mr. Perry's death list 20 years later.
Hmmm... so, hey. Put fornications/fortifications on the list, or some other such obviously problematic mistake -- it might drive home the point a little better. Not to mention that a little humor may make the whole thing more memorable.