.grammar.- why proof-reading is important September 19, 2008

.authored by something.of.substance.

For all those who don’t bother to proofread what they write, don’t care how things are spelled or think that “text speak” is appropriate as a means of communication, here is an example of what could go wrong:

Republican-siding newspaper The Wall Street Journal published this article comparing McCain and Obama’s

.warning: "pubic" discontent ahead.

proposed economic plans. What isn’t apparent about this seemingly well-researched and prescient article is the major editing gaff halfway through that completely changes the tone from serious to seriously funny.

In a paragraph depicting past presidential tax plans, the article states:

“Bill Clinton won that campaign promising tax cuts for the middle class. He ended up pushing tax increases on the rich and his party subsequently lost control of Congress, in part over pubic [sic] discontent on the issue.”

While I haven’t contacted the writer of the article, I’m going to assume he meant to say “public” discontent rather than referring to Congress’ collective groin issues.

.No. August 21, 2008

.contributed by Fed Up.

DISCLAIMER: Those pieces contributed to Something.of.Substance do not necessarily reflect the views of the author or of the community. However, they are Substantial to the contributor, adhere to the guidelines and give everyone Something to think about. -S.o.S

I’m angry. I went to bed last night angry and I woke up angry. Angry and hurt. You see, my friends’ pain is my pain, too. Lives are so interconnected and experiences, though different, overlap in nature. Here’s what’s up.

I’m a graduate student. My friend’s adviser has been sexually harassing her and other students for months now. Last spring, after having had enough of hearing and not doing, I insisted that my friend speak to one of our female professors about what was happening. Our professor was horrified, and thus began the department’s half-hearted attempt to deal with a problem that’s apparently been rampant in our department for years. My friend met with the department’s liaison to the graduate school, with the department head, and with others. The liaison to the graduate school said that technically what he did wasn’t sexual harassment since it didn’t involve asking for sexual favors or threats of retaliation if tasks that were sexual in nature were not performed. Apparently, what this man does not know is that sexual harassment takes many forms.