I have a fresh cup; I think you need it

Again, I'm trolling my ever favorite newspaper, and I find a questionable mistake.

The Brockton Enterprise is reporting that Boston school bus drivers are going on strike. This made the paper yesterday, and today, they have a little more detail. Only problem is: How in the hell do one "walk of the job"? The article itself, is not immune to wrong use of words. Or misspells. If the writer can use a 'big word' like "intimations", why can't the sentence "Tuesday's strike in Boston caught officials there off guard [...]"?
I would have dropped the 'there' or at least put it somewhere else.

Front Page online

Title on page

Honestly - there's a reason why this paper is constantly looking for editors and reporters, then decides it wants to file bankruptcy. The workers can't do their work.

I feel like I'm at my current job, when I read things like this. The problem with the store I'm in, is the person doing the marketing isn't catching the mistakes, nor is the assistant. To further frustrate things, the owners allow this to happen. But I digress, as it's a one off store and there's no real threat to an entire chain.

However, shame on you, GateHouse Media, for hiring people that constantly make mistakes. Only good thing about this, is the fact they are consistent. Instead of a Christmas bonus this year, should the employees still be there, may I suggest a few books?

Number one in the suggestion is part of the great "For Dummies" series - English Grammar For Dummies. Not only is the purchase price great, but the reader will learn how to dot their i's and cross their t's... and make sure those letters have the correct punctuation. This book is as stripped down as you can get, as it is laughing at you, not with you. You're not the dummy, you're just a little confused in how to show the correct use of there, they're and their.

Numero dos, like the previous book, is not laughing at you when the title calls you out on your mistake. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Well, sounds off putting, but the examples in each chapter truly make you think. They are not there to guilt the reader into shame, but to allow a "oh, so that's where I've been going wrong..." thought. As with all paper backs, it's easy to travel with.... just for that chance the reporter needs to travel out of state for a piece about jaywalking.

Thirdly, I feel like Writing Copy For Dummies can help the person I work with, a little more than it can help the paper staff. Yes, it's another For Dummies book, but the more you can dive in to this series, the better. It's not like they one off you and you're left still scratching your head. They give prime examples of why mistakes are made and how to fix them.

There are so many books out there to help formulate thoughts and get them on paper (or computers). Hopefully one of the suggested books will be purchased for the employees...

Cheers;








See also:
Amazon page: Write here!