When I crack open a new book, the first thing I do is read the dedication and find the acknowledgments page. Before starting to read, I want to learn a little about who the author is, and for me, the acknowledgments give me a little view into who they are, what’s important to them, and how eloquent their book might be. I particularly like to see how and where they thank their spouse and children. Genuine, heartfelt thanks earns the writer lots of points in my book
I just started a book, and here’s how the writer thanks his wife:
Kelly, you are my soul mate, lover, and best friend. Through thick and think you have helped me become who I was intended to be.
<sigh> Acknowledgments that leave me choked up are the best ones of all.
I think I should start a running list of excellent acknowledgments. Do you have any favorites?
My favorite story on this topic is when I wen tto write my dissertation acknowledgements. I got down a couple of previous lab member's dissertations and found…one recent acknowledgement page entirely plagiarized from an earlier dissertation…even the touching personal seeming bits!
My favorite story on this topic is when I wen tto write my dissertation acknowledgements. I got down a couple of previous lab member's dissertations and found…one recent acknowledgement page entirely plagiarized from an earlier dissertation…even the touching personal seeming bits!