Nowadays, our words are everywhere—Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, personal sites…the list goes on. Our words are populating faster than our ability to produce them.
They’re reaching audiences that we could have never imagined when we were learning grammar in grade school. Today, I’m glad I paid such close attention, because when my words hit that newsfeed, I’ll be damned if my grammar isn’t perfect. Here’s why:
Words Reflect Who You Are
Like it or not, your words represent you. You’re the voice behind the content you create, so double check that you’re apostrophes are in the right place so as to not make the same mistake I just did (you caught that, right?).
When others read your latest Facebook status update, tweet, even just passing-the-time email, they make judgments. Using correct grammar allows you to immediately display that you are a) attentive, b) detail-oriented, and c) clear as a bell.
It’s your name and your reputation on the line, so why not publish writing that is grammatically flawless? You have the power to do so, no matter where you went to school.
Grammar is EASY
For some, commas, dashes, slashes, semicolons, apostrophes can feel intimidating. In reality, using them is simple. While there are a lot of rules (ahem, try learning French), they’re very easy to understand once dissected. These rules are clearly laid out in most scholastic publications and don’t require too much brainpower.
So, pick up a grammar book from the local bookstore, dig up old notes from high school, or do a quick Google search. Within an hour, you’ll find that the rules you once crammed and forgot are now fresh in your mind and ready for you to execute.
