002

The author makes a strong case for knowing the rules of grammar, but some people do not think that this knowledge is very important. They believe that you can write well without knowing these rules. What do you think?

I believe that knowing the rules of grammar, as well at utilizing them, can never be overrated. A good writer knows this, and strives to learn these golden rules by which to write. As a writer, especially in the professional sense, one needs to consider that if their writing is read by others, those people will develop a perception of them through reading what they have written. This perception will likely include opinions and estimations about the writer's amount and quality of education. Suppose someone is essentially a "good writer", meaning that writing comes easily to them and they consider it a strength, but do not think that they need to pay much attention to the rules of grammar. If the author of the book read something this person wrote, he would likely not be able to get past the grammatical errors and disregard for the rules he so highly regards. There is no harm in paying attention to grammar and learning how to better use it, but there very well may be harm in neglecting to do so. Grammar is also important because it is a major organizing component of writing. It is possible to have good ideas about which to write, but when one brings those ideas to paper, they must be organized in a coherent manner. Words should be used as they are meant to be used, and sentences should be structured in a way that makes sense. If these things are not done, the writing will consequently suffer because the reader will not digest it as well as if it had been grammatically correct.

001

As clearly and succinctly as possible, describe your academic background, future plans, and how this class fits in with these things.

I am a Communication Studies major, planning on a career in Public Relations, or a similar field that my major will help me achieve. Writing for the Media will help me learn how to write in a way that is professional, concise, and appropriate for mass publication. Apparently, the way I have written in many of the previous classes I have taken (such as Creative Writing), will not "fly" in the world of mass publication. Word count is an important element when writing for the mass media, as well as structure. I have already taken college courses in Journalism and Public Relations, and I believe both of them have helped me hone my writing skills and add an element of sophistication and professionalism. More words does not make a better article, and proper spelling and grammar are key. Writing for the mass media entails getting a message across to a broad audience, in an orderly fashion. I expect to learn how to do this, and add more skills to the collection that I have gathered from my other, similar college courses. When typing a resume for the viewing of potential employers, it is often helpful to mention courses you have taken that would be helpful in your desired job. I believe that mentioning this class would be an asset to me, letting potential employers know that I am capable of writing in this concise, professional, easy-to-digest way for mass audiences. I hope, as well, that this blog will help me adhere to word counts and guide me in writing the way I should, for the job I want. I have come to find that as well as dressing for the job one wants, one should be able to write for the job one wants.