Did the rules on capitalization change when I wasn't looking?

[onefixedstar]

I've been encouraging my students to email me this term, and a surprising number of them are using what can only be described as random capitalization, when they can manage to find the shift key at all. I know that many people perceive email as a relatively informal style of communication, but really, when a student is emailing someone who has the power to assign him or her marks, don't you think it might occur to the student that it might be a good idea to capitalize the name of said person?

Comments

[a-just-society.livejournal.com]

Your students actually use your name? You must be special. My emails from students have been known to simply start with "Hey,"

[onefixedstar.livejournal.com]

I think that reflects the hesitancy of students who aren't quite sure what to call you...course instructor, but young. Atypical.

Okay, so maybe I'm just being generous.

[mrthursday.livejournal.com]

Perhaps it's the law degree talking, but I feel the strange urge to defend your srudents.

I capitalise poorly. In part it's because I type like a frothing tentacled demon for whom english is a poorly grasped third language. But then I am also dyspraxic (God only knows how you spell it) so maybe some of your students also have that problem.

And the rest? Well it's hard being a student, all that drinking, studying, drinking, cavorting, drinking...

[onefixedstar.livejournal.com]

Wonderful defense. Really. But I've yet to see you substitute 'u' for 'you' or 'r' for 'are' as a few of my students have been known to do, so I really don't think it's poor typing skills. And I still firmly hold to the belief that even students who have language problems, if they are in university, should know enough to capitalize people's names. I don't penalize them for it, though. I just rant about it here and daydream about what's going to happen to them when they send emails like the ones they send me off to potential employers. *evil grin*

[mrthursday.livejournal.com]

Wonderful defense. Really.

Sarcasm will get you everywhere! Though in this case I except it as well deserved since the line of argument I developed in the second paragraph is hardly worthy of anything other than the lowest form of wit.

I don't penalize them for it, though. I just rant about it here and daydream about what's going to happen to them when they send emails like the ones they send me off to potential employers. *evil grin*

Cruel, but fair (and fun)