October 24, 2003
Was It as Bad for You as It Was for Me?
For most scholars, bad academic writing, like bad academic sex, doesn't call for explanation -- or argument.
It's poor chemistry between writer and reader (pontificator and pontificatee, in the academic version), like lack of sizzle between jaded full professor and enthusiastic asst. prof. It's failure of Interrogator A to make the noises and gestures that work for Hegemonized Reader B. It may be Defamiliarizer A's clumsy attempt to shake up the ideological/emotional/instrumental
This is an article for subscribers only. You may access this article by purchasing a:
Digital or Print Subscription
Web Pass
Already have an account? Log In Now.
-
The Chronicle Review
-
Administration
-
Short Subjects
