AppLingBlo

This semester one of my courses, "The Nature of Language", is a web course. There is an instructor, and also a "Course Facilitator" who will handle questions, issues and topics as the course progresses. Recently he sent out a list of links to various resources that may come in handy during the course.

One thing I'm concerned about is the length of time that I've been away from the (student side of the) academic world. After perusing some of the links that he sent out, I'm going to need to really work hard to make my writing dry and, well, academic. Reading about how I must do this and must do that, it makes me wonder if there are any "mavericks" out there that write academically in a more dramatic style. Can you write a respected paper without putting people to sleep? How much is over the top?

For at least my first paper I'll try not to push the envelope. I'm teaching because I love language, and the beauty of language is using it in a way to evoke both emotion and thought. I'll post my papers here as well - see if you can stay awake while reading them.

I guess if this doesn't work out I could always pursue a career writing bodice-rippers...