Why can't people write? - VGF

**Prince Toad** · 09-25-2006, 11:28 PM

Goddammit. I'm an upperclassman in high school, and I'm doing peer editing (or the equivalent) for four others for a creative writing class I'm in. Two of their pieces were acceptable-- I even liked one-- but the others... my God. When you're in 11th and 12th grade, you should have a basic grasp of how to write the English language. I don't care who you are, what sports you play, it doesn't matter. I don't expect freaking Hemingway, I don't need stunning ideas or flowery prose, but I do expect some basic level of proficiency in communication, just as I'd expect everyone to be able to run a mile, name the first and current presidents, and solve a basic algebra equation... these are just rudimentary skills and bits of knowledge that you ought to have to function in society. I wonder how these people even make it through school writing like that. And now I have to deal with it.

Plus, these are the same people that look at my writing and go "Wow, that's good. I have nothing to say." Thanks, a**holes, that's real useful. Argh. So frustrating.

***Ace Mercury*** · 09-25-2006, 11:35 PM

Yeah, people have a tendency of learning just enough to get by, and then proceed doing whatever numbskullery they really want to do. I don't know whether it's just not putting effort into it, or an involuntary action on their part.

Galefore · 09-26-2006, 04:44 PM

PT just summarized my feelings. I wish people would learn to appreciate writing and reading like they used too, but nowadays it is a slim chance to even see a high schooler into a book unless he/she's forced to be. And just like PT said, people look at my stuff, tell me it's good, and give me absolutely no critisism or praise to help me improve or tone it down. Damn jerks...

***ZeldaGirl*** · 09-26-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince Toad

Goddammit. I'm an upperclassman in high school, and I'm doing peer editing (or the equivalent) for four others for a creative writing class I'm in. Two of their pieces were acceptable-- I even liked one-- but the others... my God. When you're in 11th and 12th grade, you should have a basic grasp of how to write the English language. I don't care who you are, what sports you play, it doesn't matter. I don't expect freaking Hemingway, I don't need stunning ideas or flowery prose, but I do expect some basic level of proficiency in communication, just as I'd expect everyone to be able to run a mile, name the first and current presidents, and solve a basic algebra equation... these are just rudimentary skills and bits of knowledge that you ought to have to function in society. I wonder how these people even make it through school writing like that. And now I have to deal with it.

Plus, these are the same people that look at my writing and go "Wow, that's good. I have nothing to say." Thanks, a**holes, that's real useful. Argh. So frustrating.

AMEN!

Bomby · 09-26-2006, 06:37 PM

You're telling me. I was editor in chief of my high school's newspaper... it's sad when you find JUNIORS in HIGH SCHOOL who CAN'T FORM A COMPLETE SENTENCE!!!

But that's all in the past. No need stressing out over it now.

t3hDarkness · 11-21-2006, 01:29 AM

From what I have read Hemmingway was a dick.

Just take a more advanced English class next semester and forget those below you ever existed.

09-25-2006, 11:28 PM	#1
Prince Toad PC Mod Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rookery Gender: Posts: 11,404 Thanks: 43 Thanked 56 Times in 47 Posts Points: 43,370.19 Bank: 18,304.68 Total Points: 61,674.87 Donate	Why can't people write? Goddammit. I'm an upperclassman in high school, and I'm doing peer editing (or the equivalent) for four others for a creative writing class I'm in. Two of their pieces were acceptable-- I even liked one-- but the others... my God. When you're in 11th and 12th grade, you should have a basic grasp of how to write the English language. I don't care who you are, what sports you play, it doesn't matter. I don't expect freaking Hemingway, I don't need stunning ideas or flowery prose, but I do expect some basic level of proficiency in communication, just as I'd expect everyone to be able to run a mile, name the first and current presidents, and solve a basic algebra equation... these are just rudimentary skills and bits of knowledge that you ought to have to function in society. I wonder how these people even make it through school writing like that. And now I have to deal with it. Plus, these are the same people that look at my writing and go "Wow, that's good. I have nothing to say." Thanks, a**holes, that's real useful. Argh. So frustrating.

09-26-2006, 04:44 PM	#3
Galefore Gunjinkeeper Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dry land. Gender: Posts: 5,545 Thanks: 602 Thanked 335 Times in 268 Posts Blog Entries: 2 Points: 4,669.32 Bank: 34,721.88 Total Points: 39,391.20 Donate	PT just summarized my feelings. I wish people would learn to appreciate writing and reading like they used too, but nowadays it is a slim chance to even see a high schooler into a book unless he/she's forced to be. And just like PT said, people look at my stuff, tell me it's good, and give me absolutely no critisism or praise to help me improve or tone it down. Damn jerks... Last edited by Galefore; 09-26-2006 at 06:16 PM.

09-25-2006, 11:35 PM	#2
*Ace Mercury* Marshmallow Knight ☆ Supermod Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Southern Ontario Gender: Posts: 18,950 Thanks: 360 Thanked 1,505 Times in 784 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Points: 98,468.30 Bank: 12,446,091.72 Total Points: 12,544,560.02 Donate	Yeah, people have a tendency of learning just enough to get by, and then proceed doing whatever numbskullery they really want to do. I don't know whether it's just not putting effort into it, or an involuntary action on their part.

09-26-2006, 06:37 PM	#5
Bomby All I Ever Wanted Was To Pick Apart the Day & Put the Pieces Back Together My Way Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: The People's Republic of Madison, WI Gender: Posts: 14,707 Thanks: 203 Thanked 459 Times in 318 Posts Blog Entries: 4 Points: 4,787.08 Bank: 1,971,248.97 Total Points: 1,976,036.05 Donate	You're telling me. I was editor in chief of my high school's newspaper... it's sad when you find JUNIORS in HIGH SCHOOL who CAN'T FORM A COMPLETE SENTENCE!!! But that's all in the past. No need stressing out over it now.

11-21-2006, 01:29 AM	#6
t3hDarkness Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I've been lost here before Gender: Posts: 4,153 Thanks: 43 Thanked 109 Times in 87 Posts Points: 12,281.81 Bank: 84,629.27 Total Points: 96,911.07 Donate	From what I have read Hemmingway was a dick. Just take a more advanced English class next semester and forget those below you ever existed.