Grammar : Then and than

These are minor mistakes I find constantly in assignments.  Unfortunately, small errors in word use make your work look bad and reduce grades.  Moreover, these are mistakes that are not helped by the use of a spell check programme.  When you use spell check, you have a false sense of security.  I'm not advocating not using spell check; clearly, this course of action would be a mistake.  I've also seen the result of not using spell check, compositions peppered by mistakes and students who apologetically say they didn't "have the time".  No instructor will accept this excuse for not doing better.

So, if spell check won't fix your mistakes, what do you do?  I strongly urge the use of a book such as Advanced Grammar in Use by Martin Hewings (Cambridge Press) which has a disc with good grammar exercises.  Another book, A Canadian Writer's Reference by Diana Hacker is also helpful with another exercise book.  Of course, ultimately I recommend the use of a really good dictionary, "The Oxford Concise" or another large Oxford to help you out.  There are other dictionaries but I recommend the Oxford as time tested and excellent.

Then/Than
Than is a conjunction.  Conjunctions, as Robert Allen says, are "joining words" (Allen, How to Write Better English, 96.  Another way of describing them is as "linking words."  Conjunctions are viewed by many as "sentence connectors".  Many conjunctions join the main clause (the main part of the sentence with the subject & verb) to the rest of the sentence.  In the case of than, the Oxford Dictionary of English states there are three uses of this word:
1. As a comparative - She was much taller than her mother.  or "Jack doesn't know any more than I do." (Oxford Dictionary of English, 1826).  In this instance, the use of "than" is definitely as a conjunction, a subordinate conjunction in the subordinate clause.
2. "Used in expressions of exception or contrast.  He claims not to own anything other than his home."Note: here than is a preposition. (Ibid.)
 3. Indicating one thing happening right after another.  Scarcely was the word completed than it was abandoned. (Ibid.)

Then
When you look at the Oxford Dictionary, it tells us that than and then used to be the same word.  If you look at the third meaning, you can see how this might work.  However, English changes and evolves.  Then is now a completely different word, an adverb connected to time.  We must work in modern, not archaic, English.  An adverb, as you are aware, modifies or describes the action of a verb.
For example:
She bought a pair of red and gold shoes at Lewis' that afternoon then wore them later that night.

One thing happens then another follows it.  This is the nature of then, time.

Critical Thinking Pt. 2: A new way to link material

Fundamentally, the information in your essays, assignments and examinations needs to be linked.  In the last blog we talked about how information is linked in paragraphs like this:
Sentence 1 - A topic sentence that discusses/outlines the information that you are going to discuss in this paragraph
Sentence 2 - A sentence that backs up the topic sentence with evidence or data that illustrates the value of the argument in your first sentence.
Sentence 3 - A sentence that analyzes or examines how the evidence backs up the argument you're making.  This may take 2 sentences.
Sentence 4 - Summarize what you've discussed & anticipate the next argument.

The writing process can be likened to making a strong mesh comprised of appropriate information and good arguments.  In Bloom's Taxonomy, Bloom presents the reader with a hierarchy of learning:

1. Knowledge - This is information, data and details.  The reason the "devil is in the details" is because it is on knowledge that all the rest of learning rests.  This is why it is so important to choose your source materials well and not rely on poor information from the internet or badly written materials.

2. Comprehension - Before you move on you must understand your material and your assigned question.  Students often do not realize the importance of taking time to think though the question.  This help you to discover the information you are going to need before proceeding further.  At this point, students can still fix errors in thinking that later will become issues if they affect assignments.  Moreover, students who understand the topic or question, can be sure that they are using the right data and materials in an assignment.

3. Application - This is shown in every stage of your work.  For example, relevant data quoted in an essay shows the way in which students apply facts to assignments.  Additionally, when a student writes a bibliography for an assignment using bibliography page on Harvard at the University of Leicester, they demonstrate the correct use of this form of citation and use application in their paper.

4. Analysis- This term, analysis, describes and examines the process by which data/evidence is used to backs up the arguments.  Analysis takes place in every paragraph to link data/evidence to the arguments that are presented.

5. Synthesis - Synthesis is a process whereby two forms of information or data are linked together to form a new pattern of thought.  This is really what every good essay should be trying to do.  The new pattern of thought at the end of an assignment or essay should present a new way of looking at things.  Of course, synthesis occurs on many level and becomes more sophisticated das we advance educationally.

6. Evaluation - Evaluation, of course, is something that takes place when an assignment is handed in or an exam is over.  Nevertheless, students who develop deep knowledge about their topic will know the value of their assignments.  Many times I've heard a student say "Well, I knew I hadn't really done my best work" after reviewing a grade.  Similarly, when a student weighs and judges the value of quoted material and chooses only the best quotations, they will find their assignment have added value.

When an assignment or essay includes all of the elements above, knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation, the student is on the way to thinking critically and understanding more.  

KB