Re: Testing job applicants

[Mark Borgerson <mark@oes.to>]

"Howard N. Lute" wrote:
> 
> In article <37d7cf96.175975182@mindmeld.idcomm.com>, edick@hotmail.com
<<SNIP>>> >
> > If a person writes badly, it's because he didn't read enough.  Correct
> > grammar, syntax, and orthography are the mark of a person who's
> > interested in getting the job done right.  Sloppy handwriting, poorly
> > constructed sentences, "flow-of-consciousness" writing style, and
> > frequent syntax errors (seldom detected by a spelling checker) are
> > clear marks of an intellect lacking in the discipline to perform well
> > at anything over the long haul.
> >

I'd agree with all except the part about sloppy handwriting.  Perhaps my
poor handwriting is a result of being left-handed and trying to learn
to write under the tutelage of some rather rigid righty chauvinists in
the late 50s.   In any case I did learn to print legibly--if slowly--
by the time I had to fill out notebooks in college and logbooks in the
Navy.  I also learned to touch-type by the time I was in 9th grade.

Penmanship is a fine-motor skill. In some cases it is not easily learned
no matter how diligent and intelligent the student.  Let's keep the
motor skills separate from the intellectual qualities!   The combination
is really required today only  when a keyboard and mouse are unavailable (dentists
and surgeons come readily to mind).  ( Don't you wish the dentist could click
'UNDO' after he hits that nerve!  ;-)  )

Mark Borgerson