My high school senior English teacher had a rule: One spelling error or one punctuation error on a paper and the grade for that paper was "F". It did wonders for both spelling and punctuation. Perhaps we need more of this in schools today.

fk

History Buff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> mook Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > I *have* been a peer reviewer (still am,
> > occasionally), though not of a large number or
> > variety of papers (relatively narrow
> specialty),
> > and have been perplexed at times by the
> difficulty
> > of reading some (I know it's politically
> incorrect
> > to criticize use of the English language,
>
> When did insisting on correct use of the English
> language become "political incorrect?"
>
> I'm as liberal as they come, but have little
> patience for abuse of the English language. Even
> when I text, I refuse to substitute a "U" for a
> "you" or a "4" for a "four." When speaking before
> a group, I always say "All of you" instead of
> "You'all."
>
> Last week, I reviewed a technical paper for a
> project at work and was appalled to find an
> improperly used apostrophe. In the set of
> comments compiled for this document, I noted this
> error.
>
> While driving around, listening to music or
> speeches and reading internet commentary, I come
> across all sorts of abuse of the English language.
> It makes no difference if the writers, singers or
> speakers are leftists, centrists, conservatives or
> politically indifferent, too many Americans
> grievously abuse the English language.
>
> Sadly, I'm noticing that poor English is
> increasingly making its way into newspapers and
> magazines in addition to being prevalent on the
> Internet.