Grammer and Why it Ain’t Rediculous
The Internet has given rise to fluidity in the use of the written word and created a new class of people – the so-called Grammar Police, who point out the written mistakes of others. This piece by journalism professor Don Ranly could serve as their “serve and protect” manifesto and, frankly, I say, “Preach it, Brother Don.”
Organization managers of communications are forever complaining about how the people they hire know little about grammar and the basic rules of punctuation and consistent style. This is true even of people who graduate from journalism schools. What is much worse are all of the “non-writers,” the executives, the engineers, the technicians and those from all walks of corporate life who contribute to publications of all kinds and to Web sites.
For nearly three decades, I taught a magazine editing class to juniors, seniors and graduate students at the Missouri School of Journalism. When I began teaching it, I had no idea how much time I would spend thinking, writing and teaching about grammar. I learned quickly that I could take absolutely nothing for granted regarding how much grammar the students knew and could apply.
For example, when I would discuss reasons for getting rid of the passive voice in most instances, I found that some students could not find the verb. I kid you not.
As a result, over the years (I am now professor emeritus), I discovered all kinds of myths about people and grammar. Here are seven of them.
Click here to read the rest of Professor Ranly’s essay.
- Date: 06.07.2010
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