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[runabout]

Hi all,

I've been teaching English Comp for higher ed, both in for natives and nonnatives for several years.

I tell my students that if you use and or any conjunction in the beginning of the sentence (in Academic writing) you better have a damn good reason for doing so -- and if they use it, in the margin I will ask them to explain their rationale to me either via email or after class (or if they get to rewrite, to explain to me before the second paper is submitted: if not, I mark them down.).

As for low levels, yes, I've seen various texts which use the construction you're discussing. I skip those pages or use that type of text only for true beginners -- never for level ones. It will and does confuse them. In my experience, by the time they get to level three, if they were taught to use And etc. in the begining they won't fully understand transitions and clauses.

Hope this helps,

Runabout