Blog 4: Rhetorical Analysis of Writing Culture @ Kean University

Writing Culture at Kean University as seen on campus differs between groups of people.  The nonchalant  younger crowd takes it in stride and with constant text lingo back-n-forth take assignments lightly, hand in their papers and produce overall good grades.  The mid thirties generation, like myself, is carrying dictionaries, thesaurus, and laptops to overcome the hurdle of modern technology that every other student at Kean is already accustomed to.  The over 40 generation has writing down to a science and their only worry or stresses is juggling family and student life.  This is my perception.  I could be genuinely wrong of course, but on the other hand, so far this is all I've observed from being on campus.

What I've seen from professors, faculty, and staff at Kean University is that they value the MLA handbook and that a student knows how to use it in their writing.  The MLA handbook is pretty much like a bible for writers.  The English department seems like they value a well spoken, well versed, educated student.  It was funny how in my other English class we were discussing grammatical mistakes which people constantly make.  For example, when one would call another person on campus, the proper greeting when you ask if it's the person on the other side of the telephone, they should respond, "Hello, It is I"  instead of  "Hello, it is me."  I had no idea the second response was incorrect until last night when an English professor pointed it out.  As a class we asked if "Hello, it is she/he" grammatically correct--and Professor responded absolutely correct.  I was impressed. So I would say among other faculty and staff the writing etique is at a definite high, yet amongst the students we're up there but we have to learn much more. 

Another point that was brought in class, that made me wonder was when people speak--and as you all know, it drives me absolutely crazy (as you've seen in my other blogs).  And I was glad to hear from other people in my class that the feeling was mutual.  Classmates were talking about cringing when hearing "Yous going to the cafeteria" or "Where yas be at?"  I know it's a youth culture, but I've seen people write this way, and as future educators or professionals--I don't think this writing etique should exist.  Again that's my opinion.  Yet I feel that when you are in an interview what you say should reflect who you are and your writing definitely reflects that already--why not combine the two and land the job of your dreams.