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Have you ever watched "Headlines" on the Tonight Show? If this does not convince you that words matter, nothing will. He shows advertisements and headlines that actually appear in publications across the U.S. - both small towns and big cities. They read like, "Dinner Special - Turkey $2.35; Chicken or Beef $2.25; Children $2.00" or "We do not tear your clothing with machinery. We do it carefully by hand". Not only do the actual words matter, but the placement of words in a sentence and the punctuation do, as well. Though much of what I read lately, especially on the web, disregards these things.

Some colleges have "Bad Writing Contests" to illustrate the point. This is where students try to write badly. Some are hysterical and obviously intentionally bad, but I'm guessing that sometimes, they just write like they always do.

A Russian newspaper posted a notice about an upcoming art exhibition. It read as follows: "There will be a Moscow Exhibition of Arts by 15,000 Soviet Republic painters and sculptors. These were executed over the past two years". It most likely is not what the article intended to convey, but there may have accidently been some truth in it.

Words are for communicating. The structure of grammar and punctuation was developed for a reason. It behooves us to pass this down to our children. The real truth is that we may have to emphasize the power of effective communication in our homes. Having been in some classrooms lately, I have seen and heard some teachers desecrating our language and not communicating very well. (I've also seen and heard the opposite). Many teachers do not mark papers off for spelling, misuse of words, or grammar, feeling that it will stunt creativity. Unless we as parents (and/or grandparents) demand quality in all subjects as they do overlap - reading and writing is part of all curriculum in every class - a necessity. If we do not do something about it now, effective communication will be a lost art.

There may be some people out there of the same culture and clique who understand Ebonics, but I am not one of them. There is a time and a place for slang and colloquialism, but there is also a time and a place for correctness. If one wants anyone outside his/her limited circle of friends and acquaintences to understand what he/she means, he must express it effectively. Parents, preachers, teachers, politicians, and television news commentators must step up to the plate and be positive role models for our young people. Keep your singulars and plurals straight, i.e. Do not begin a sentence with "anyone" then adress your anyone as "they" or "them". Anyone means one. If you begin a sentence in the present tense, do not end it in the past tense (i.e. I am going to the store because I needed milk.)

Just pay a bit more attention to what and how you speak and write, and always proofread. This will make you a successful communicator.

Do not use slang in formal writing. Use correct words. Do not confuse acrimony with matrimony, their with there, or conjugating with congregating. Using the correct word in the correct way at the correct time always leaves the impression of intelligence.

Learn more about this author, Linda Burleson.
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