The Evilest E-mail Sin

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"I don't know what to do," he thought.

Bri Marsden of 4:28PM August 23, 2008

Be VERY VERY glad you don't teach high school!!!!

Most of my students don't even bother to turn a paper in!

Ms. Crabtree of NJ 10:50AM August 22, 2008

here's one reason to avoid using the shift key in Personal Emails -

it's much faster.

here's another -

it's cool and modern.

just a couple of thoughts for you there.

Jeremy Simms of CA 6:41AM August 13, 2008

..sometime we are just in a hurry, but do have to or want to reply.

However then sometimes its ofcourse better to take a quick review on what you've written. Sometimes I forget to write negatieve words in a sentence, when I mean the opposite, like in Dutch I tend to forget the "geen" or "niet" and it can create a huge misunderstanding. So in cases of hurry rather just Save for later, review, correct and then click for Send.

In cases of jobs, certainly write correct and neatfully written emails to your collegues:)

1:21PM August 11, 2008

Kids like to write in text message language all the time!! So frustrating!

Like R U 4 real?/??

4 does not equal for.

I am also a high school English teacher.

But the worst is when they are constantly texting in class, and not paying attention. They are so sneaky!

Lala of OH 5:42PM August 08, 2008

Why are you, a Teacher, not failing these students who do not and will not learn to write a simple sentence? By not doing anything but failing these students, YOU are a part of the problem...... Teachers teach, not look the other way. The school systems are to blame here. They are failing these kids by not failing them……… Sad! A very sad commentary on our education system.

Ryk of CA 5:11PM August 08, 2008

If you write with excellence, it brings a good feeling to your reader, and he or she will look forward to your future written communications. I like to read Time Magazine for its super grammar, style and punctuation usage.

Speaking, of course, is so much easier; however, still one must think before delivering his or her thought verbally.

This is America, and all of us should be speaking and writing English well. I see no reason why otherwise.

Rosalia of NV 5:05PM August 08, 2008

of 3:35PM August 08, 2008

Your creativity can be better expressed if people can understand what they're reading. Punctuation is key.

Without it, the reader may interpret the writer's musings

in several different ways, then wonder why they are

spending so much time doing the punctuating for you.

Do your readers a favor.

of CA 3:20PM August 08, 2008

It has been my experience that people who are too lazy to punctuate an E-mail properly will follow the same habits in the world of business correspondence. Business people say the college students they are hiring today cannot write a simple business letter. The college students say that is the reason they should assign a secretary to write my letters.

Bad news: The average high school graduate who chooses a secretarial career also cannot write or spell. Some cannot even read a simple document. The really bad graduates are checkers in super markets and they cannot make change unless the machine tells them the amount.

As an aside, it is not just the fault of the teachers (some do not have a grasp of writing either) but the principal and school board who do not have the intestinal fortitude to support the teachers in requiring reading and writing skills prior to graduation.

P.S. Parents have a share of the responsibility also.

Gary Hammon of TX 2:32PM August 08, 2008

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