Publication Does Not Equal Advocacy (2)

By Author: Willsimith
Total Articles: 48
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Because I most definitely did not want to use the journal in this way, it particularly bothers me that Brannon et al. say, in their discussion of a 2007 study by Shana V. Woodward that "English Journal validation for teaching in mechanistic ways" ads to the complexity of teachers' work (19). It is simply not true that EJ validates Breitling Replica such teaching. Any reader of more than three issues knows that. Furthermore, the quotation itself seems to misrepresent the source material. Brannon et al. quote from Woodward's dissertation, which I was able to access through a university database. As far as I can tell, Woodward made no comment about English Journal in her dissertation. She did not associate English Journal with validating "teaching in mechanistic ways" or in making teachers' work either more or less complex. English Journal appears only in Woodward's References list and refers to an article that she must have consulted. This was undoubtedly an oversight in Brannon et al.'s writing, but it is important that EJ readers understand what English Journal stands for ...
... and what it does.

For more than 30 years, English Journal has educated and provoked me as a teacher, a scholar, a learner--and an editor. I hope that readers and writers will continue to allow the journal to serve as a forum in which many genres are welcome. EJ publishes not only descriptions of practice informed by research and theory but also opinions and pro-vocative ideas. What Brannon et al. write of students is true for all of us: "ideas are written to be engaged . . . ideas matter" (21). Understanding the roles of the journal in Replica Breitling Bentley that engagement is essential if we are to give ideas--even those we disagree with--the attention they deserve. @Louann Reid Editor, English Journal (2003-2008)

EJ -welcomes letters from readers commenting on our articles or issues in the profession. Please email letters to English} ournal@notes.cc.sunysb.edu. Please indicate whether or not you'd like your letter published. We reserve the right to edit submissions for space and clarity.