Sloppy Writing Indicates an Uncaring Writer
How Correct Spelling, Good Grammar and Punctuation Improve Essays
Jun 11, 2009
Who hasn't heard dozens of times how important spelling, grammar, and punctuation are? In spite of that, some people may not see a practical reason for adhering to the "rules" of English. Here are some reasons why these rules exist:
Good Grammar and Punctuation Eliminate Confusion
Believe it or not, punctuation (like the "dreaded" comma) serves to make sentences clear. While the following is an extreme example, see the difference commas make in the meanings of these two sentences:
"Martha washes coats and pants." This sentence indicates that Martha washes (perhaps even using a washing machine) different articles of clothing ("coats" and "pants").
"Martha washes, coats, and pants." Let's imagine Martha is working on a deck. She washes it, coats it (with paint or varnish), and pants from fatigue. (With commas in a series, the last comma before "and" is optional, so this example could also be written as "Martha washes, coats and pants," perhaps becoming even more confusing than the first instance.)
This example is extreme, but readers can certainly see the difference commas can make in conveying meaning. However, proper punctuation alone will not ensure a clearly understood sentence. Having a good command of other English rules can also help writers avoid disorienting readers. For example, broad pronouns can also cause confusion because they are vague:
"Take the disk out of the computer and fix it." What is the writer asking the reader to fix--the disk or the computer? If the writer is more clear, his readers will understand exactly what he is saying. So if the writer wants the reader to fix the disk, he could write, "Fix the disk after you take it out of the computer." If he wants the reader to fix the computer, he could instead say, "Take the disk out and then fix the computer."
Writers should aim for clarity, because they don't want their readers to be confused.
Correct Spelling Prevents Misunderstanding
If a writer spells, for example, "defiantly" when she means "definitely," she could wind up upsetting the wrong people. See the different meanings conveyed in these two sentences:
"I definitely think I deserve a raise." This person sounds assertive and sure of herself.
"I defiantly think I deserve a raise." This person sounds like she is demanding a raise whether she really deserves it or not. Her boss might interpret this sentence the way she'd like him to.
This example is also radical, but a simple misspelling could unintentionally cause problems. Remember too that sometimes spell checkers can get writers in trouble if they don't double check. A word processor's spell checker is no substitute for thorough proofreading.
Attention to Detail Helps a Writer Seem Credible
In this day and age, many people won't take writers seriously if their text is laden with easily-correctible errors. Readers will often assume that writers are lazy, sloppy, or incompetent if they haven't taken the time to present a more professional-looking text. Many readers will move on to someone else who has a better command of the rules if they tire of trying to figure out what a sloppy writer is saying.
If writers ensure that their text is as free of errors as possible, readers will take them more seriously. No one wants his ideas dismissed just because his grammar isn't up to par.
Following the Rules Will Serve Anyone Well
These reasons for writing within the rules of English will help a writer not only during her college career, but after school as well. Not only should one write well for applications, resumes, and cover letters when seeking employment, but also on the job which could require written work. A writer may find herself needing to write reports for her supervisor or send emails to customers. Remember that with many jobs, the better a writer one is, the better chance one will have for advancement on the job.
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