RSS FeedsWriting Well Still Counts
Dec 29, 2006
With the advent of email, text messaging and instant messaging, language has taken a turn for the worst, and the scary part is, it is considered fashionable to write in silly language. I’ve always had this conflict in various writers’ forums — they insist these days that it’s the message that’s important, not how you deliver it, and a bit of wrong language brings you closer to the reader. My only reaction was, “bullshit.”
Your language is as important as your message. Even if you are authoring a blog, correct usage manifests your respect for your readers. Reading good language — and by good language I don’t mean using superfluous words and labyrinthine sentences — is always a pleasure. The Copywriting Maven talks about why spelling and grammar still matter and I totally agree. As a writer I love the tool I use to express myself: the language. I respect it, and I always strive to improve it and every writer should do the same.
Technorati Tags: writing well, copywriting, content writing, spelling, grammar
Posted by Amrit | Tags: Blog Publishing, Content Writing, Online Copywriting
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December 29th, 2006 at 8:17 pm
Amrit, thanks for the mention and link! Nice to know there are enough of us who know how we deliver the message counts as much as the message itself. (As McLuhan stated, “The medium is the message.”)
Have a happy, healthy 2007!
December 30th, 2006 at 6:24 am
Yes Roberta, sometimes people cannot differentiate between IM conversations and writing normal website content. Although while chatting and sending text messages I don’t mind truncated or “smallized” words, when they start appearing in general literature, they are really irritating.
December 30th, 2006 at 8:23 am
I think it all depends on the context - for forums and SMSes and IMs, these shortcuts are still tolerable, but of course, one has to make sure that the message is clear.
However, if you are writing a sales copy, or a blog post, I would still go for the correct grammar and good spelling!
Writing well is a skill - and a very powerful one if used correctly!
December 30th, 2006 at 10:19 am
I totally agree Kian. I think when you write well, when you make an effort, it shows you value your readers.