Comments on: Where have Good Writing Skills Gone?

By: Kids Spelling Games

Kids Spelling Games — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:10:30 +0000

“We need to improve our writing. We need to fix our spelling and grammar and we need to develop our writing skills. ”

I think this is so true. My recommendation is on kids. Getting them reading and writing at an earlier age and more often is going to be how we make a long term shift toward better writing and better communication (both verbal and written). What do you guys think?

By: Mary Pio

Mary Pio — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:35:56 +0000

Great posting, thanks a lot!

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:36:39 +0000

Just an update on some recent cringe-worthy writing/spelling:

Your unsubscribe was succesful.
The center’s dedication, hard work and drive is what makes us proud.
Your always so right!
Santa’s reindear are on their way.
Him and I had a great time at your party.

I wonder if 2010 will get any better – I’m not holding my breath! Merry Christmas to all!

By: The Bordering Disciplines of Blogging | Fuel Your Blogging

The Bordering Disciplines of Blogging | Fuel Your Blogging — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:54:48 +0000

[...] what I believe is the primary difference between mediocrity and excellence in blogging, it would be writing skills. Those well-known professional bloggers usually have this in common – they write [...]

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:05:07 +0000

A compound subject without the proper verb tense seems to be a common mistake. But you’d think the school teachers would have been help in this situation. Thanks for your post!

By: Robert Young

Robert Young — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:11:27 +0000

What could be worse than subject/verb agreement errors on a university website, on the Arts and Sciences page no less; I know of a school that has several. Also, I once worked for a political candidate who had “Discipline and education is …” on a piece of campaign literature. To make matters worse, several of her “advisors” were public school teachers.

By: Words on a page » Blog Archive » A few links for the end of the week - A blog about writing, in its various forms

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:33:11 +0000

[...] Where have good writing skills gone? [...]

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:19:31 +0000

Thanks, Rob, for your feedback. As a product of public schools many decades ago, I always hated that teachers had to dumb down the information being taught in English classes. Of course, I was thrilled that the math teachers dumbed downn their curriculum for me! Engaging students in proper grammar, spelling and good writing has to be more challenging than ever. At least we can do our part via blogs like this. Long live creativity!

By: Corey Freeman

Corey Freeman — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:24:05 +0000

I see cringe-worthy writing everyday! The reason I started a writing blog was because I wanted to launch my own personal crusade against people who insist on pluralizing things with apostrophes! Seriously, who taught people that!? Where did that come from!?

May be a little ambitious, but one of my personal goals for the future: raise the quality of writing online by 10%. =)

By: Corey Freeman

Corey Freeman — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:20:50 +0000

That link is hilarious! I think I have a new favorite website! Thanks for sharing and yes, finding an editor to look over things seems impossible for most people lately…they want quality and they want it NOW.

By: Rob Bowen

Rob Bowen — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:11:21 +0000

Very engaging piece. I agree not only with your post, but with the majority of the comments that follow! I have experienced the writer resentment that was mentioned by ChristopherR2D2 from family and members of the artistic community in some small towns that I have lived in. Both were surprising and extremely disheartening. But alas, here I am still holding my pen, and knowing that my life is better for having wielded it.

And like Tim, I find a lot of the fault lying in the school systems, where through my experience, the arts programs tend to be lacking in support from the administration, but also in the parents who do not encourage artistic expression. There is a push as of recently to change that, from some things I have read, and I am hopeful that sites like these continue to pick up the slack and fan the creative flames in the minds of so many.

Kudos, as always…

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:09:48 +0000

I had the same series of editors and proofreaders early in my career as well. You’re right – staff cutbacks and a focus on doing more with less – is very concerning. Thanks for commenting,
Susan

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:08:31 +0000

Excellent point, and all the more reason to continue the campaign of good writing skills,
Susan

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:07:40 +0000

Such a comment makes me cringe! Thanks for sharing,
Susan

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:06:44 +0000

I appreciate your comments, including your rant. Sometimes a good old-fashioned venting is in order just so that you can return to your true love, in this case, writing.

Of course the irony is that all those “stuffed shirts” rely on good writing skills to communicate their points, albeit a lot of numbers and/or legalese.

Finally, I’ve never seen Dancing with the Stars, so I trust your opinion regarding that as well.

Thanks for commenting!