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Response to discussion two months ago re rhetoric in a democratic culture: issues in composition in Canadian universities--Rick, Russ, Henry, Andrea. Russ made the distinction between Writing and writing, and said that the best way to "defang"Rick's posting would be to compliment him on his style. Yes. And I agree that that is indeed the way most student academic writing is approached--by evaluating it. In addition, some writers themselves avoid conflict and dialogue by over-writing, writing in such a way as to call attention primarily to their own style. Another "trick" is to make their writing so dense and obscure that it is incomprehensible. Your discussion reminded me of the following: "Why do we write? I submit that beyond all rewards, either described...or imagined...(an) answer to the question is: we write because we want to change things. We write because we have this arrogant but absolutely essential conviction that our curious little marks and squiggles, read by others, can make a difference. The 'difference' may be a new perception of beauty, a new insight into self-understanding , a new experience of joy, or a decision to join the revolution. My own rebbe, Elie Wiesel, provides the text for this conviction, and I have it hung on the wall above my desk. "Words can sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds.'" --Robert McAfee Brown Supervisor, Writing Centre University of New Brunswick, Saint John P.O. Box 5050 Saint John, NB E2L 4L5 Fax: (506) 648-5528 Phone: (506) 648-5502 Email: [log in to unmask]