Opening Lines You’re Glad You Didn’t Write

29 November 2009 at 4:37 pm Dick Langlois 1 comment

| Dick Langlois |

Now here is an opening line you will be glad you didn’t write. (From our local newspaper, the Willimantic Chronicle, November 25, 2009.)

WINDHAM — After being vacant for six years, former Windham First Selectman Jean de Smet appointed two co-town historians to preserve and share their knowledge about the town.

This is especially funny in light of the controversial character of de Smet’s administration, although vacancy wasn’t among the complaints, and indeed increased vacancy actually might have improved things. (She was elected on the Green Party slate.)

I have added this article to my file of amusing pedagogical examples of faulty agreement and misplaced clauses. Here are two of my favorites from that file, one from the UConn Daily Campus and another from the Chronicle.

Entry filed under: - Langlois -, Ephemera, Teaching.

Opening Lines I Wish I’d Written North on Ostrom and Williamson

1 Comment Add your own

1. Donald A. Coffin | 30 November 2009 at 4:25 pm

I love the Arafat example. I, personally, have had conversations with reporters during which I wish someone (preferably the reporter) had died.