No reading = poor writing
by Miki Saxon
I harp a lot on the importance of clarity in written communications and the lack of good writing skills, especially in Gen X and Y. I’m not the only one, B-schools and corporations are spending time and money trying to improve them.
I think part of the problem is that these generations grew up on TV and the Net instead of on books. Obviously, not all, but too many.
Reading helps good language usage sink in—people who read absorb how to put words together without even realizing it.
It doesn’t matter what you read; it doesn’t have to be classed as ‘worthwhile’ or ‘good’ literature as long as you enjoy it. Whether it’s adventure, biography, fiction, mysteries (my favorite), fantasy (another favorite) or science fiction you’ll get a ‘feel’ for how words work.
If writing skills keep deteriorating then in twenty years when Gen Y is the bad old establishment a cover letter may look like this—
Subject: Resimay
To hoom it mae cunsern,
I waunt to apply for the job what I saw in the paper. I can Type real quik wit only one finggar and do sum a counting.
I think I am good on the phone and no I am a pepole person, Pepole really seam to respond to me well.
Im lookin for a Jobb as a reporter but it musent be to complicaited.
I no my spelling is not to good but find that I Offen can get a job thru my persinalety. My salerery is open so we can discus wat you want to pay me and wat you think that I am werth,
I can start imeditely. Thank you in advanse fore yore anser.
hopifuly Yore best aplicant so farr.
Sinseerly,
PAT
What do you do to improve your people’s writing skills?
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February 4th, 2008 at 11:59 am
[...] at Mapping Company Success Friday I wrote No reading = poor writing with a sample email that would be a lot funnier if my bank manager hadn’t told me that she [...]