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by angelita on March 10th, 2007

angelita

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Why some teachers won't let you write with red ink pens?

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Answers. 17 helpful answers below.

  • by ViewerInUK on May 4th, 2008

    ViewerInUK

    * At school, I was always taught that writing in red ink, was an insult to the reader.
    * Teachers marked in red ink, simply to make students aware of an error/s.
    * When I was teaching, I initially used red ink for marking. I later changed to pencil, especially for work which was continuously assessed and would be submitted for final examination.
    * I then started to mark ALL work in pencil and was even reprimanded for it!
    * Students with difficulties, often had so many errors, it would be so destructive to mark everything (we were expected to mark EVERY error, in those days) in red. If it had been done to me, I would have felt like giving up.
    * Students with dyslexia or learning disabilities, do find red ink difficult to read.
    * The person who organised the reprimand for me, used to write messages to staff, in a variety of ink colours, but mainly in red!!!
    * Being me, I always ignored directives written in red........rather to my peril! I became a 'target' for this person (I am female, so is the 'other' person!!)
    * This subject has interested me so much, that I have done an Internet search, with these results:
    * Chinese Business Etiquette - Writing in red ink symbolises the termination of a relationship
    * Business Etiquette Overseas - Never write anyone's name in red ink. Red ink represents the colour of death.
    * Indonesia - Do not use red ink.
    * South Korea - Do not sign a card in red ink.
    * The N.Y.Times Dec 1909! - There are strict rules on ink colours. Coloured inks such as red, green etc, are considered as 'fads' and are frowned upon!

    Hope others of you enjoy this subject too!!!

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  • by Anonymous on March 10th, 2007

    Anonymous

    It's the color of the pen they use to mark papers and give out grades and point out grammatical or punctuation errors. It's just not right, or appropiate for a student to use. It gets them often confused and annoyed.

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  • by Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony on March 10th, 2007

    Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony

    It's not the easiest color of ink to read. I find it hard on the eyes and prefer blue or black (better yet, typed).

    Red ink is traditionally used to grade/correct papers/homework rather than used to write with on a regular basis. I use red ink corrections to typed papers (I am not not a teacher by profession though).

    I am sure there are other reasons, but this is a start.

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  • by go_to_hellas on March 10th, 2007

    go_to_hellas

    Teachers traditionally use red pen to mark and correct your work. When you use it, it kind of throws them for a loop. And when it comes to this kind of stuff, it's better not to rock the boat. These are the people responisble for your grades after all.

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  • by msummers10 on March 10th, 2007

    msummers10

    It is harder to read than black. They read a lot when grading 30 students work, so they need it to be as easy as possible. And it's what they grade with.

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  • by American idle on March 10th, 2007

    American idle

    Maybe because that's what they grade with? I'm guessing..

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  • by Constel on March 10th, 2007

    Constel

    it's the color they choose for correction...

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  • by chocolate milk on May 4th, 2008

    chocolate milk

    Because they are awkward and enjoythe power!!

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  • by haggis on May 20th, 2008

    haggis

    it can be difficult on the eyes and when i correct students work i use red ink, it could get confusing.

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  • by JAMMco... its complicated... on May 20th, 2008

    JAMMco... its complicated...

    Probably because most teachers use red ink to correct papers.

    When you write in red ink, then they either may think they've already corrected yours, or they now have to correct the paper in a different color.

    Plus they are preparing you for life where most businesses do not allow red ink to be used for legal documents. You either have to use black ink or blue ink.

    I know that when I sold Insurance I had to use black ink because they were afraid blue would not copy well when they scanned the documents.

    Now some companies prefer blue ink to make sure the signature or hand writing is genuine and not a font on a black and white printer.

    They are just preparing you for life like they are supposed to do.

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  • by Sixty B - Commander Topcoat on May 4th, 2008

    Sixty B - Commander Topcoat

    Then you can give yourself an "A".... as in.... you use blue/black and they obliterate it with the infamous Red Pen!

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  • by Meleggles on May 4th, 2008

    Meleggles

    It's what they use to mark all over your paper if you're bad.

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  • by mother earth on May 4th, 2008

    mother earth

    If red ink is as hard to read as some of the answers imply then you wouldn't want to write in red out of kindness. Being kind costs us nothing and gives so much.

    But if you really like red...

    Some people would rather die than be thought of as 'not a team player' (don't write in red)
    Some people understand that being a team player can make it easier for them to do other things they want to do. (don't write in red)
    Some people would rather travel the hard road than conform. (never write in blue or black again)

    Which are you. Kind? fearful? opportunist? hard-head?

    I find myself kind and sometimes the opportunist (when it doesn't harm my ethics) but usually hard headed.

    These are the choices we make as we grow up. No choice is wrong as long as you know it is a choice and make it deliberately.

    One last thought (on this over thought answer) - Have you asked the teacher this question?

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  • by -O-uknow on May 4th, 2008

    -O-uknow

    Red is their color when scoring you an "F".

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  • by john pennington on May 20th, 2008

    john pennington

    Red ink is sometimes difficult to read.

    Red ink, normally, does copy as well as black ink in a copying machine.

    Red ink is a standout ink. when your receive an "F" on a test, the teachers love to use a red ink pen to notify you of flunking.

    Maybe, its a power thing.

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  • by Oldman on May 20th, 2008

    Oldman

    It was originally a threat or a challenge and was written in blood. Therefore, writing in red is in poor taste.

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  • by brethartfan316 on December 3rd, 2010

    brethartfan316

    when i was at primary school we did not use pen at all for writing until primary seven!
    when i went to secondary school, we were taught that red ink and green ink are editing colors. We were only allowed to use black or blue ink for redrafting assignments and if we were writing in composition notebooks (we called them jotters) we were to write in pencil only,
    this applied till the end of 3rd year. after which we were encouraged to write in pen even in composition notebooks but it was still black or blue ink only. I still use that rule even now and even on the computer although i will include purple as well because i find it is easier to read!

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