Description
Let’s think about our presence on social media, more specifically, our language. For this assignment, I would like you to watch “Grammar School with Snooki” by the Vlog Brothers. Here’s the link to the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTwCCrMRTxE
After you have watched it, please answer the following questions:
- Why are grammar and spelling (remember, grammar includes capitalization and punctuation) important, even in social media posts?
- What happens when one does not use it properly (proper grammar and spelling)?
- Do you ever proofread your posts/tweets before publishing? Why or why not? Do you think you will start proofreading after watching this video?
- Find an original post on social media that uses bad grammar and/or spelling that is ambiguous (i.e., has multiple meanings), like the example John uses in his vlog. When you do, be sure to quote without revealing the original author’s identity. Discuss why the post is confusing and how it could be misunderstood.
Discussion Post:
Hailey Fenn: Grammar and spelling are so important because they can entirely change the meaning of a sentence. When you are writing something and you forget to add a comma, or a period, or you put the punctuation in the wrong spot or use it in the wrong way, you can change the sentence completely. Also if you are writing and spell a word wrong, for example you mean to say dessert but say desert, you're changing the topic of your sentence from a tasty treat to a dry hot climate. I myself do proofread whenever Im posting to social media. Ive always done this just because I always notice bad grammar and fear that people would notice if I had bad grammar as well. I found a tweet where a man said "Let us work together in providing the poor quality and affordable healthcare." Although the grammatical error in this is small it causes you to have to stop and look at the sentence again after realizing it doesn't make sense. The way he worded it made it sound like he wanted to provide "poor quality" healthcare instead of saying provide the poor with quality healthcare.
Madeline Hagler : proper grammar and spelling is crucial to communication. While it does not have to be formal, it must still be correct so that what is being said is understood. improper grammar can lead to confusion over what's being said.
I have never really proofread my social media posts, only because I don't don't really have any social media accounts. However, once I do sign up for social media, I will definitely be sure to proofread.
Due to my lack of social media accounts and access, I had to use an alternative method of obtaining a social media post: embeds in articles found in the Apple News app. The post that I found was embedded in a Teen Vogue article and was originally from twitter. in it, a BTS fan says, "jungkook has been a fan of Justin bieber for like forever and done so many covers of his songs and now you’re telling me there’s a 99.9% possibility that they’re releasing a song together?? We ain’t ready?? THE WORLD AINT READY?????"
for starters, 'Jungkook' is a name, and should therefore be capitalized. second, the writer says ' for, like, forever', which is not only grammatically incorrect, but also acts as a suggestion that the writer is ignorant. finally, the writer uses the word Ain't (without an apostrophe). Ain't has been established as "not really a word", and therefore is grounds for improper grammar.
Tierney Sullivan: 1.) To make conversations as clear as possible.
2.) The audience can become confused or not understand what they are communicating.
3.) I never use to till about four years ago, now it depends on the situation or setting if I proof read it with a fine comb. I like to do it because even small errors like your and you're can make you look uneducated. A lot of times it's my auto spell on my phone that saves me or makes me sound like I didn't go to school. I will continue to be more observant of my spelling and grammar as I'm still learning and do want to do better.
4.) "Happy bday Wifey eveyday I watch u grow more into this amazing superhuman everyday is the best the day with u here may God continue shine on you." I do not know if everyday is her Birthday or everyday he watches her grow? As there's no period or commas to break the dialogue up. Also "is best the day with u here" confusing I don't think the writer meant to put "the" in the middle of that. There are no commas or periods to break up the message it just runs all over, leaving the reader confused.
Justin Duc : 1. Grammar and spelling are important even in social media posts because if you don't have the proper grammar and spelling it could convey a different meaning in what someone is saying rather than what they want to say.
2. What happens when you do not use proper grammar and spelling is you will send a message you are not trying to send, for example when Snooki tweeted about the "coma" instead of comma.
3. Yes I do proofread my posts before I post them because I don't want people to think I am sending the wrong message and it helps me get used to using proper grammar.
4. "Why is May weather trending? We are in September". The post is confusing because "May weather" was not trending because of the weather, it was trending because of the boxer Mayweather.
Brent Carlson: 1. Grammar and spelling are important in social media because you are still trying to convey a point. In the video he describes written words purpose as to convey a point as clearly as possible. Using proper grammar and spelling helps ensure your point isn’t lost.
2. When you do not use proper grammar or spelling a variety of things could happen. Your audience could not receive the point that you are trying to make. You can also loose respect from your audience. If you are writing a formal letter and it’s riddled with errors, the reader is not going to really listen to your point because it is lost under all of the mistakes.
3. I really do not use social media anymore. When I did use social media (myspace) I tried to at least make sure my posts were free of spelling errors. I think that this video emphasizes that it really easy to come off as under educated when your allow so many errors. In the case with Snooki missing her coma instead of her comma, that shows that her point was lost due to errors.
4. In a random post on twitter I found someone trying to berate their friend. The tweet read, “Jacob, your a dumbass”. In this case the author of the tweet was hoping to shame his friend by telling the world Jacob was a dumbass. By using your instead of you’re he took the dumbass away from Jacob and placed it on himself. That tweet illustrates why spelling and grammar are important even in social media.
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Discussion Responses
Hailey Fenn
Grammar and spelling are so important because they can entirely change the meaning of a
sentence. When you are writing something and you forget to add a comma, or a period, or you
put the punctuation in the wrong spot or use it in the wrong way, you can change the sentence
completely. Also if you are writing and spell a word wrong, for example you mean to say dessert
but say desert, you're changing the topic of your sentence from a tasty treat to a dry hot climate. I
myself do proofread whenever Im posting to social media. Ive always done this just because I
always notice bad grammar and fear that people would notice if I had bad grammar as well. I
found a tweet where a man said "Let us work together in providing the poor quality and
affordable healthcare." Although the grammatical error in this is small it causes you to have to
stop and look at the sentence again after realizing it doesn't make sense. The way he worded it
made it sound like he wanted to provide "poor quality" healthcare instead of saying provide the
poor with quality healthcare.
Response
Hi Hailey, I conquer with you that grammar and spelling are critical in any form of writing.
Slight mistakes from what one intended to say may convey a completely different message. As
you have indicated, the practice of reviewing what one writes on social media is essential so that
one can communicate the intended message effectively. Moreover, public communication is
subject to criticism and therefore, writing using the correct grammar and spelling is significant
for proper communication and avoiding ridicule.
Madeline Hagler
Proper grammar and spelling is crucial to com...
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