Communication

One of the most important ingredients of good writing is the choice of the right word or exactly the right phrase to communicate an idea or fact. As a professor, I would often try to illustrate with humor how it is possible to be totally misunderstood.



The picture above demonstrates how first impressions are not always correct. I used to lose my head over such things. The following examples also illustrate the confusion that can occur in learning.

Amazing

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
Ablsoultlely amzanig huh?

Alabama Speeder

This cop stops a speeder in Alabama and walks up to the window. The driver rolls the window down and the cop asks… “Got any ID”?

The redneck replied, “ ‘bout what?”

You Must be From Alabama

A man walks into a store and asks: “I’d like to have an RC and a moon pie.”
The proprietor responds: “You must be from Alabama.”

“I resent that remark. How come you say I’m from Alabama? If a man comes in here and asks for sausage, do you assume he’s from Germany?”
“Well, I don’t know. It just ain’t never happened.”
If a man comes in and asks for spaghetti, do you assume he’s from Italy?”
“Don’t know. Like I say . . . it just ain’t never happened.”
“Well, why in hell do you assume I’m from Alabama just because I ask for an RC and a moon pie?”

The proprietor scratched his head and said. “’Cause this is a hardware store!”

The Lone Ranger and Tonto

The Lone Ranger and Tonto went camping in the desert. After they got their tent all set up, both men fell sound asleep. Some hours later,Tonto wakes the Lone Ranger and says,"Kemo Sabe, look towards sky, what you see?"

The Lone Ranger replies, "I see millions of stars."

"What that tell you?" asked Tonto.

The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute then says, "Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, it's evident the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you, Tonto?"

Tonto is silent for a moment, then says, "Kemo Sabe, you dumber than buffalo. Someone has stolen tent."