Good Grammar Equals Better Writing
Have you ever read a piece of professionally published writing and found a grammatical mistake? I’ve seen it in novels, magazine articles, even in textbooks, and (especially) on blogs.
Now, a lot of these errors are typos. It’s not that the writers or editors didn’t know their way around the English language — they just let one (or two) mistakes slip past. I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, but when mistakes appear to be more than mere typos and instead seem to be a deficiency in good grammar, then I find myself questioning the quality of the work.
There are many things that lead to better writing, and there are a few things that raise the red flag to signal poor writing. Bad grammar is one of those things.
Good Grammar and Professionalism
We’ve all heard about how diligently a resume should be proofread. This is basic advice you get in any book, article, or course that teaches you how to land a job. It makes sense, too. If the hiring manager finds mistakes in your application, that reflects poorly on you as a potential employee. It could indicate laziness, poor attention to detail, weak written communication skills, and a generally irresponsible attitude. After all, if you really wanted the job, you would have found a way to ensure your resume (and cover letter) were absolutely spotless.
I remember receiving this advice in high school. Years later, when I was a hiring manager at a video store, I put it into practice. My thinking was that if a college student couldn’t spell “Work Experience” or “Education,” then that student might not be a good worker. Sure, there are exceptions, but I was doing the hiring, and I’d rather be safe than sorry. Why not hire someone whose application reflects positive qualities and a solid skill set?
In other words, I can tell you from personal experience that good grammar matters and it can affect your career. Not that working at a video store is your life’s dream or anything. But we’re all writers here. So think about this: if I didn’t hire applicants to work at a video store due to poor grammar, then how do you think mature literary agents and editors respond to faulty grammar?
That’s right, they reject it and move on in search of better writing.
Better Writing
Of course there are exceptions. Some people are born poets or born storytellers and their ideas are so mesmerizing that nobody cares about a few grammar infractions. But most of us need all the help we can get to get our work noticed and (hopefully) published, and that means strong, comprehensive writing.
Learning the rules of grammar might be a drag (I happen to find grammar fun and interesting), but it’s a worthwhile pursuit if you want to get your work published and find a reading audience for your writing. Take a little time each week to study grammar and in no time, you’ll achieve better writing.
The best part is that once you nail down good grammar, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. It becomes a natural part of your writing process. Proofreading and editing become less of a chore, and your writing practices will feel more relaxed and less tense.
Acquiring Better Grammar Skills
To improve your grammar, you have to know where to look so you can get answers to all your nagging grammar questions. Sometimes you’ll find answers to questions you didn’t even know you had. Here are a few writing resources I recommend for learning grammar:
- Subscribe to Grammar Girl’s podcast and listen to a few quick and dirty grammar tips each week.
- Read the grammar section here at Writing Forward (all articles are carefully researched).
- Start collecting writing resources that touch on (or focus on) grammar and writing properly.
But don’t get too crazy. Remember that rules are made to be broken, and some old grammar rules just don’t fit modern language. As you study and expand your grammar skills, you’ll get a good sense of when bending the rules is sensible and when it makes you look senseless.
Do you think good grammar leads to better writing? Do you have any grammar resources to add to this list? Share your thoughts, questions, and suggestions by leaving a comment.
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I like “The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation.” It is straight forward, easy to read, and includes self tests.
Ah yes, that one is on my wish list! I believe it’s actually next up for ordering. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!
Great post. I completely agree with you. I’ve made plenty of spelling errors and even though I thought I had caught them all, someone always points them out to me on my blog.
Good grammar goes far!
Ouch, I hate it when that happens. I’ve been there. I’ve definitely been there.
Hi Melissa: I think that even great ideas are diminished by poor grammar. There’s so much information out there, and people are trying to determine who’s credible and who’s not. Someone who’s constantly making grammar and spelling mistakes is likely to be categorized quickly as not being credible.
.-= Marelisa´s last blog ..The 100 Day Finish Strong Challenge =-.
There are a few bloggers out there whose expertise is not in writing, but they do have extensive experience in some other field. Even though their writing is peppered with mistakes, they are sharing their knowledge, and that has a definite value. However, those bloggers would only strengthen their own credibility by practicing better writing habits and working on their grammar and other writing skills. Maybe in time, bloggers in general will realize that writing well is integral to their skill sets.
I SO agree with you! My Dad keeps watching these videos that encourage him to “write like you talk, and don’t worry about grammar!” And even go on to say that, if you go back and edit too much, you’ll your sales pieces (or whatever) won’t work as well.
It’s this kind of thinking that explains some of the truly terrible sales pieces out there. Now, I do agree that trying too hard to be correct is going to make for bad writing. And that there are advantages to ignoring some of them to sound friendlier and more accessible. (Like the occasional sentence fragment. Or starting a sentence with a conjunction.) BUT, things like non-matching singular/plural subjects and verbs? Incorrect verb tense or blatantly obvious incorrect pronouns (him instead of he, and so on)? They drive me mad.
My feeling is that a good writer can choose to ignore some of the rules, but that a GOOD writer at least knows them to begin with. And the only way to learn is to DO!
.-= –Deb´s last blog ..Let’s Not Forget Civility =-.
Heheh, I had a feeling you’d agree with this one, Deb. I always think of you when I write grammar posts because I know you admire good, strong (and correct) writing as much as I do. Punctuality rules!
Hehe, you know I love your grammar posts.
I think good grammar helps the writer’s messages come through. Minor grammar errors are like speed bumps on a road. They can distract you and slow you down. A blatant one would be like a huge branch across the road. It can stop you from getting to the place that the author wants you to get to (<– Yes, I am aware of the preposition at the end of that sentence). (Or maybe you'll have to get out of the car and climb over the branch to get to where you want to be. Oh, great. Once again I am stretching a metaphor until it doesn't make sense anymore.)
.-= Kelvin Kao´s last blog ..TV Puppetry Workshop: Week 2 =-.
Your metaphor works perfectly, and it’s a common one used to describe how grammatical errors impede readers. Many times I’ve been reading and hit a grammar mistake that pulled me out of the story or article. It can be jarring, especially when you’re reading fiction.
I like your contrast with born storytellers and poets. It’s a reminder that the sum is more than the parts, so if you lose in one area, make it up in others … and good grammar can be just the low hanging fruit that’s ripe for picking.
Exactly! Writers need to know their own strengths and weaknesses. Since grammar can be learned, it’s a good way to balance out other weak spots in one’s writing. However, as Kelvin pointed out, poor grammar can also distract the reader, so it’s important for a number of reasons, including readability.
Hi Melissa .. I hate it when I spot mistakes, especially in material that’s been edited and published .. drives me nutty & upsets me! Gone quickly I have to say … I find mistakes in my typing sometimes .. why the brain said type there when it meant their I have no idea .. because when I read it back I see it .. but I’ve hit the submit button by then: too late.
Your instead of you’re – and to instead of too.
I don’t understand grammar and one day I’ll do a fast track course, so I can put words into perspective for myself and understand the grammar side of the subject better.
I wonder who is going to write our contracts for us .. in a few years .. will they be in text speak?! Do we continue to educate our young with poor language, which is getting dumbed down at a rate of knots …?
So thanks very much … good thoughts
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
I tend to look things up whenever I have a question. Often, as I’m writing, something will come up about which I’m unsure. So, I just look it up and then I know the right way to stylize, format, etc. Yes, a fast track course would be helpful, but you might also check out a podcast called Grammar Girl. Each episode is just a few minutes and covers a specific grammar issue. I think it’s a good way for a busy writer to start learning to improve grammar by investing just a few minutes each week.
I thoroughly agree. Writing consists of both story and craft. I have little patience for those who don’t have decent craft, as it’s much easier both to learn and to check! Besides, sloppy punctuation, grammar, or spelling makes me feel disrespected as a reader, as if the writer couldn’t be bothered to put the time in but still expects me to do so.
I agree, although I can be pretty patient, even with poorly executed grammar. I think each piece of writing has to have a certain benefit to the reader. For example, I’ve read novels that had flat characters and weak plots, but the writing was so beautiful that I was able to get through the entire book. I guess it just depends…
i think that the most important thing is to practice and keep practicing a lot on english grammar…
thats the one and the only way…
I agree, and I think that’s the best way to master anything. Thus the saying, “Practice makes perfect.”
I’ve just finished the first draft of my first novel – a fantasy fiction. Now I am on the re-writes. I have gone over the prologue to chapter 5 at least 5 times. Each time I see something else that needs to be edited in order to tighten it up and improve grammar. Proof-reading and grammar are certainly essentials in good writing.
I sort of dread revising my novel for that very reason; I just know I’ll have to go over it countless times. I do enjoy editing and polishing, but there are so many layers in a novel, it seems a little overwhelming. I’m a huge advocate for proofreading and good grammar!