First, lets start with a question based on your experiences and/or opinion:

1. When you receive a poorly written communication, what do you think of that message? How about the writer sending the document? The organization he or she is representing? Does anyone have an example you would like to share?

Now, integrating what youve gleaned from the readings, lets move to the next question.
First, read the following paragraphs written by Rob Kyff in the San Jose Mercury News. There are at least 20 glaring spelling and grammar errors in the paragraphs.

If I was a teacher, Id feel badly that less and less students seem to understand the basic principals of good writing. Neither the oldest high school students nor the youngest kindergartner know proper usage. A student often thinks they can depend on word processing programs to correct theyre errors. Know way!

Watching TV all the time, its easy to see why their having trouble. TV interferes with them studying and its strong affect on children has alot to due with their grades. Theres other factors, too, including the indifference of parents like you and I. A Mom or Dad often doesnt know grammer themselves. We should tell are children to study hard like we did at theyre age and to watch less TV then their classmates.

2. Based on this weeks learning materials, what suggestions would you offer Mr. Kyff for improving his writing? Please explain.

3. One of the best ways to become a better writer is to have someone critique your work. Yet, many are very sensitive about their writing. What are some productive ways to provide feedback to someone without causing a blow to his/her self-confidence? Are there strategies that supervisors, colleagues, professors, etc have used to help you that you would recommend?