Lecturers have been banned from using capital letters when assigning work to students because it might upset them.

A memo sent out to staff at Leeds Trinity journalism department suggested using uppercase letters may ‘scare them into failure’

It also suggested ways they could address their students, such as writing in a friendly tone and avoiding overbearing and negative language.

Critics have since slammed the memo, saying it is just aiding to the ‘snowflake’ generation being overindulged throughout their education.


A memo sent out to staff at Leeds Trinity journalism department suggested using uppercase letters may ‘scare them into failure’ (Picture: Google)

The memo says: ‘Despite our best attempts to explain assessment tasks, any lack of clarity can generate anxiety and even discourage students from attempting the assessment at all.’



It also suggested that writing a word in capital letters could make the assignment seem more difficult and therefore worry the students, according to the Express.

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However, one employee said caps were needed to ensure students don’t miss an important part of the assignment.

The lecturer told the paper that despite their students being intelligent, they felt the education system just wants to treat them like children.

They added: ‘We are not doing our students any favours with this kind of nonsense.’

The memo follows two other universities banning fancy dress and clapping.

Kent University last month introduced a ban on students wearing costumes deemed ‘inappropriate and offensive’, such as cowboy outfits and sombreros, because they may jeopardise other students’ ‘right to a safe space at our university’.

While at the University of Manchester, the student union replaced clapping with jazz hands in a bid to prevent people suffering from anxietyor sensory issues.

A spokesperson for Leeds Trinity said the memo was guidance on how to explain tasks to students so they achieve their full potential.

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