I think of the phrase, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" when I see your headline regarding "A Call for Tansparency" and then the word "takign" under Item 3. I guess at least we knew what KJAM meant when it spelled "too" as "to". Let he who is without mispellings throw the first stone!
Mispelling is part of a larger picture as young people are losing their ability to "correctly" spell words due to texting and using symbols instead of spelling out real words. Plus, everyone is in such a hurry. It is an epidemic. Do you see it in your teaching profession?
You're not the only one, Anon 10:13, who sees a negative impact of technology on writing skills. Check out this WSJ article which says that corporate recruiters encounter lots of MBAs who can't compose a decent letter or make a decent oral presentation. Sounds like we need less tech and more writing practice and debate tournaments!
There is an argument that all the e-mail and IM and Facebook is good in a way: the kids are at least writing something. I've heard some argue (sorry, can't find the link this morning!) that people are able to compartmentalize their online conversational style and their professional style.
But I know I've seen students (and myself!) rely too much on spellcheck as the last-minute proofreader without doing due diligence with their own eyes. When a document really matters (like a job app letter!), you can't trust spellcheck: you have to know the spelling and grammar yourself.
p.s.: misspelling has two s's. That word trips up a lot of people! :-)
Have you looked at the sign for our new bike trail? If I follow the rules, I can't afford to use the trail and keep getting my bike repaired. The sign calls for "No wreckless riding".
Yeah, too busy correcting the media's spelling errors. ;-)
I think of the phrase, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" when I see your headline regarding "A Call for Tansparency" and then the word "takign" under Item 3. I guess at least we knew what KJAM meant when it spelled "too" as "to". Let he who is without mispellings throw the first stone!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll fix those now. See how nice it is when we all work together to make the media better? ;-)
ReplyDeleteSee? The Madville Times really does have the sharpest readers in the state! I am flattered by your close attention.
ReplyDeleteMispelling is part of a larger picture as young people are losing their ability to "correctly" spell words due to texting and using symbols instead of spelling out real words. Plus, everyone is in such a hurry. It is an epidemic. Do you see it in your teaching profession?
ReplyDeleteYou're not the only one, Anon 10:13, who sees a negative impact of technology on writing skills. Check out this WSJ article which says that corporate recruiters encounter lots of MBAs who can't compose a decent letter or make a decent oral presentation. Sounds like we need less tech and more writing practice and debate tournaments!
ReplyDeleteThere is an argument that all the e-mail and IM and Facebook is good in a way: the kids are at least writing something. I've heard some argue (sorry, can't find the link this morning!) that people are able to compartmentalize their online conversational style and their professional style.
But I know I've seen students (and myself!) rely too much on spellcheck as the last-minute proofreader without doing due diligence with their own eyes. When a document really matters (like a job app letter!), you can't trust spellcheck: you have to know the spelling and grammar yourself.
p.s.: misspelling has two s's. That word trips up a lot of people! :-)
You'd be surprised at just how poorly some supposedly professional journalists write and spell.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite was the now former co-worker who wrote "the woman was life-flighted to Omaha to be treated for a fatal head wound."
I later had to explain to him that fatal means dead, not merely "really bad."
The same culprit often wrote "should of" in place of "should've" and routinely misused your and you're.
Have you looked at the sign for our new bike trail? If I follow the rules, I can't afford to use the trail and keep getting my bike repaired. The sign calls for "No wreckless riding".
ReplyDeleteDJ
Oh, DJ! The scoop! That's hilarious! Someone, get a picture and e-mail it to me!
ReplyDelete