I am a stereotype. Books are like trophies on my shelves (especially the mammoth ones). Comma splices really bug me. I may think you’re a bit of an idiot if you misuse “there,” “their” or “they’re.” I am the brunt of useless degree jokes—except when asked to judge a writing contest.

     Over the weekend I helped evaluate and rank area high school students’ essays. The entries, while demonstrating good effort, were lacking what a stereotypical English major’s standards would expect.

     Mediocre writing may stem from students’ assumption that there is no “real world” need for writing outside the classroom. (I thought trigonometry would prove pretty useless beyond the 11^th grade. I was right.) But what those students may not realize is just how ubiquitous writing really is—and just how crucial.

     Case in point: the resume. The Golden Ticket to most career paths and yours will be tossed out at the first sight of an error. Graduates who may have scraped by in English classes will face difficulties with daily on-the-job writing. And, trust me, your boss will think you’re a bit of an idiot too if you misuse “there,” “their” or “they’re.”

     So, tell your kids, your grandkids, to straighten up in those English classes. Practice their prose. Read.

     Read!

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sagi1216   |2010-02-24 07:43:17 Unfortunately reading doesn't help. Not as long as there is a "txt msg 2 b snt", and its kept under 140 characters. When we require nothing it is typically what we get. No imagination, no effort, no skills --- no chance!

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