Why Long Mike is a Pain in the Butt About Grammar

[Tin]

I felt like an idiot when I found that out. But I have an 88 average so I'm happy with that.  :

[dave]

Apparently you must have been absent when they went over how to spell "fourth" properly. Everybody makes mistakes. I wouldn't call forum posts the end all be all of proper grammar and spelling. Now if they "our younger members" were sending in college entrance essays like that I would be disappointed.

   In my college writing course the average grade is a 68. There are no quiz's or tests, just all essays. My teacher rants constantly about how very few people in the class have any idea on how to write. There are essays handed in like posts on this forum. ALL SHORTHANDED! Some even have no punctuation what so ever, no periods to end sentences, no use of comma's, no indentations for the start of a new paragraph, or even capital letters. So now in my class, instead of learning how to write "effectively", we just go over basic grammar and spelling. >

    A few months ago Long Mike posted a rant about grammar and I didn't completely understand, but now I do. All of this Instant Messaging and texting "lingo" is being carried over into regular writing. It is quite disturbing.  

I should also add that I'm in an ADVANCED writing course.

Thanks Tin for "getting it."  I was a part of the discussion that took place awhile back.  The hope is that at some point a switch gets flipped in a persons brain.  They realize that no matter what the venue be it a college exam,  essays in a school environment or a bass fishing forum,  they should want to represent themselves as educated.  I think that your post about your writing class is a perfect illustration.  Again in the discussion a few months back and in this one,  PLEASE STOP DEFENDING THE  POOR USE LANGUAGE SKILLS.  LET'S ENCOURAGE (gently and respectfully) THE PROPER USE OF OUR LANGUAGE.

[Hookem]

Just wait until you see "texting" grammer and spelling contained within a resume. ;D

Yes, I have. :

Resume Nazi, 'No interview for you.'

[Tin]

Apparently you must have been absent when they went over how to spell "fourth" properly. Everybody makes mistakes. I wouldn't call forum posts the end all be all of proper grammar and spelling. Now if they "our younger Imembers" were sending in college entrance essays like that I would be disappointed.

   In my college writing course the average grade is a 68. There are no quiz's or tests, just all essays. My teacher rants constantly about how very few people in the class have any idea on how to write. There are essays handed in like posts on this forum. ALL SHORTHANDED! Some even have no punctuation what so ever, no periods to end sentences, no use of comma's, no indentations for the start of a new paragraph, or even capital letters. So now in my class, instead of learning how to write "effectively", we just go over basic grammar and spelling. >

    A few months ago Long Mike posted a rant about grammar and I didn't completely understand, but now I do. All of this Instant Messaging and texting "lingo" is being carried over into regular writing. It is quite disturbing.  

I should also add that I'm in an ADVANCED writing course.

Thanks Tin for "getting it."  I was a part of the discussion that took place awhile back.  The hope is that at some point a switch gets flipped in a persons brain.  They realize that no matter what the venue be it a college exam,  essays in a school environment or a bass fishing forum,  they should want to represent themselves as educated.  I think that your post about your writing class is a perfect illustration.  Again in the discussion a few months back and in this one,  PLEASE STOP DEFENDING THE  POOR USE LANGUAGE SKILLS.  LET'S ENCOURAGE (gently and respectfully) THE PROPER USE OF OUR LANGUAGE.

I forgot to mention the image issue. I have been noticing how all these younger people want sponsors. But what company is going to want a youngster who appears to be ___________ (how ever you want to put it) to represent their company??? :-?

[RiskKid.]

;D Hey Catt, I was wondering how Microsoft Word handles the phrase, "How y"all are?"

It's in Microsoft Word version 9.01 Cajun Update  

[Alpster]

If you want others to listen to what you have to say, then you must be understandable. The written word is one of the most powerful forces on earth. Written words shape the way we live and bring order to whole societies. Think about 'The Constitution', 'The Bible', 'The Credit Agreement' on your fancy bass boat. If the words are wrongly used or unintelligible, it can hurt a lot. Just ask a lawyer. LOL

The above paragraph notwithstanding, Long Mike is still a crochety old fart.  ;D

Ronnie

[bait__Monkey]

wat m i supos 2 do?

dey wont let mi n skool.

[Tokyo Tony]

wat m i supos 2 do?

dey wont let mi n skool.

Don't worry baitmonkey, this thread applies to people only.  We're just very impressed that you can even use a computer.  Don't worry about spelling and grammar, and keep up the good work  

[farmpond1]

My grammar used to bake me cookies when I went over to her house.  Grandpa took me fishing.

[Raul]

If you can 't write an understandable post why should I bother in reading it ?

[Brian_Reeves]

Long Mike, this sentence has proper grammer just for you. ;D

I try my best to keep sentences and posts readable.  Sometimes I skip out on what I know to be correct when it is just a one line post.  But most of the time I try to keep it somewhat above a 5th grade level.   ;D

[dave]

Long Mike, this sentence has proper grammer just for you. ;D

I try my best to keep sentences and posts readable.  Sometimes I skip out on what I know to be correct when it is just a one line post.  But most of the time I try to keep it somewhat above a 5th grade level.   ;D

And we thank you! ;D

[Josh VanderMeer]

Mike I can understand your frustrations.

I am guilty when it comes to bad grammar and typing on the forums and when I'm instant messaging. BUT I am completely capable of writing correctly but I choose not too.

The reason why is because its just a lot easier and faster to skip all the extra stuff.

In school I obviously write everything the way they are supposed to. I kind of have to, I need to keep up my 86% average mark to get into the university course I want to get in. So I do understand the value of education and how good us kids have it these days.

[burleytog]

If you get used to taking shortcuts with grammar, spelling, etc., then you will be quickly doing so at all times.

This is why it is a good idea to use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. AT ALL TIMES. If you are in the habit of doing so, it becomes second nature.

[Guest muddy]

JUST A LITTLE Question HERE: What is first nature? It's stuff like this that keeps me up all night

[RiskKid.]

JUST A LITTLE Question HERE: What is first nature? It's stuff like this that keeps me up all night

First nature is what happens when "Nature Calls"

[georgiabassfisherman]

Long Mike I am sorry about all of the shortuts that I use and the butchering of the words.  From now on I will try my best to be correct in my grammar usage.

Sorry about all of the trouble you guys.

[Hookemdown.]

While I'm talking notes in school for myself,  I use a barely recognizable shorthand.  I can read that shorthand, other can't.  If I have an essay to turn in or something similar, I use good handwriting and proper English.  Something that you worked on for a month is worthless unless others can read it.

[Other.]

I have a horrible habit of looking at typos but not correcting them due to the ammount of MMO's I play. I got 5 seconds to myself to type at the most! I just can't go back and fix or or I might die. Really I do not use to much chat speek or 1337. I only use chat speek again during MMO's when I am busy and I need my hands on the keyboard not talking to my guild and clan mates. And I rarely use 1337 unless I am just having fun with my guild and clan mates just fooling around.

I haer j00 be gibin out hax!

[Tin]

I have a horrible habit of looking at typos but not correcting them due to the ammount of MMO's I play. I got 5 seconds to myself to type at the most! I just can't go back and fix or or I might die. Really I do not use to much chat speek or 1337. I only use chat speek again during MMO's when I am busy and I need my hands on the keyboard not talking to my guild and clan mates. And I rarely use 1337 unless I am just having fun with my guild and clan mates just fooling around.

I haer j00 be gibin out hax!

;D

[Micro]

I can read my posts a dozen times before I actually post them and not even see my typographical errors or misspellings.  It's only after I post my comments that I see my them.

But I agree with LongMike and hope his cause never fades away.  Using shortcuts, as in "texting," diminshes the content of a message.  Often times I simply stop reading or immediately form an opinion that the writer is lazy.

Then again, maybe we're wrong, and Mark Twain is right...

To string incongruities and absurdities together in a wandering and sometimes purposeless way, and seem innocently unaware that they are absurdities, is the basis of the American art, if my position is correct.

MARK TWAIN

[Long Mike]

Senile1.  Point well taken.  Especially "forth" vs "fourth"  :-[  As for the rest of my errors, I've always had trouble with that.  Always will.

Georgiabassfisherman. ATTAABOY!

All Others.  Thank you for your overwhelming support.  I've said it in other posts, but I will say it again here.  I have no problem with those who have never attained the skills for the proper use of the English language, nor do I have a problem with typos.  Also, I don't have a problem with accepted acronyms such as IMO and BTW.  What I have a problem is laziness when using the written language.

[Fisher of Men]

Mike,

As an educator, I agree with you 100%.  We have junior high kids who have no clue how to write an organized essay.  The sad fact is that, due to texting, ipods, and chat rooms, we are raising a generation lacking in good grammar and communication skills.

[Fish Man]

i used to type as though i was texting until several months ago after reading one of long mikes posts and im glad i did, i to find "text message" talk annoying now and it does make reading a post more aggrivating

[Alpster]

Just a tip for those who struggle with spelling. If you are not sure of the correct spelling of a word or you get the red squiggly line under it, right click on the word and your browser will suggest the correct spelling (most times). This should work in IE and Firefox. the correctly spelled word will appear at the top of the right click menu. Click on the word and it will correct it for you automatically. Try it.  

Ronnie