Newcomers: Michelle Lee Travels from Singapore to Study Psychology

By Jesse Poole

Singaporean by nationality, freshman psychology major Michelle Lee has lived most of her years in Tianjin, China. “People over here ask, ‘is Singapore a city in China?’” Lee said. “It makes me want to say, ‘I’m from Asia’ instead.”

“In an international school, in the context of so many different cultures you learn so much,” Lee said. “It’s not just about the language, but it’s about the people. You integrate it [multicultural experience] into your own culture. I think it’s something a lot of people miss out on.”

“I wanted to go to a Christian college and study Psychology in the States,” Lee said. “Singapore doesn’t have any Christian colleges and the States offer a good education.” Lee learned about Gordon College through her friend, Amy Yim, ’11, education major at Gordon.

“I really miss Singapore food,” Lee said. “They have ‘Asian night’ in Gillies, it’s not Asian . . . But I like how people here help you and everyone here is really nice.”

Zinsser’s 30-year-old book on writing still speaks to modern writers

By Jesse Poole

Although first published in 1976, William Zinsser’s book On Writing Well is still surprisingly applicable for writers today. “The need for journalism is constant and the need for good writing won’t change,” said Alison Lynch, ’12, communication arts major form Holliston, MA.

A young writer might think instructions on writing from the ‘70’s would be hard to follow, but “It’s fast and captures the audience,” said Steven Fletcher, ’12, a Communication Arts major from Augusta, ME. “He teaches how to write for more than just a blog, his writing is not instant, and Zinsser shows we’ve got to go back and enjoy playing with the words.”

According to Zinsser many writers feel the need to use ‘difficult’ language, but “writing does not need to be an impenetrable fog,” said Fletcher. “It needs to be clear, concise, and inviting, and this is what Zinsser teaches.”

Heather Lobe, ’10, theatre major from Erial, NJ, said, “Books jam-packed with theories make reading dry and hard to understand. Zinsser practices what he preaches; he’s straight to the point.”

Fletcher went on to say that Zinsser speaks to nonfiction writers especially, “and is a book that teaches the art of the simple,” said Fletcher. “He advocates writing without fluff.”

“I like what Zinsser says about ‘clutter’,” said Lynch. “I do add a lot of words because I’m use to creative writing.” But, “Clutter is the disease of American writing,” writes Zinsser. “We are a society strangling in unnecessary words.”

“Zinsser tells specific examples of things that do and do not work,” said Lobe. And according to Fletcher, “the advice Zinsser relays is timeless.”

Gordon Students Mixed About Online Journalism

By Jesse Poole

Will the switch from paper to Web attract or repel Gordon College Tartan readers? Many things in today’s world transfigure to the Internet and our Tartan is now no exception.

This decision was not made based on student vote; but decisions such as, ‘big savings’ in the elimination of a physical paper. Also, many students access the Internet on a daily basis, almost reassuring Tartan staff that they will make a click for the Tartan.

Sophomore Rachel Bell, international student from Zimbabwe and Pike Scholar in International Development, has written for the Tartan three times previous to this new semester. Her articles include the subjects of homecoming weekend, a piece on saving gas by way of electric scooter, and on a student masquerading around campus as Joker from Batman. On the subject of the Tartan going ‘Webward’, she said, “I think it is good that it saves paper, but I think less people will read and access it.”

Bell raised concerns that it will not have the same effect on the readers than that of an actual paper. “People can’t pick it up like a traditional newspaper.” The new Tartan will not have the professional and cultural attraction that it once did; it may appear more as a simple blog-site.

Sophomore Steven Fletcher, Communication Arts major, says, he has his reservations. "It may allow us to have a lot more possibilities, but it loses its essence as a newspaper," he said. "I’d rather have print media.”

Salem State’s newspaper is going online, but they are also keeping a paper. Gordon students may have embraced such an similar idea if it were an option.

Either way it contains news and news is important because it sheds “light on issues,” says theater major, Heather Lobe. Besides, Tartan Faculty Advisor, Eric Convey, says, “Now your parents can see your articles easily” and there is no need to mail them a cut–out copy.