My third grade teacher would have made the writer of the New York Times op-ed titled “An American Foreign Policy That Both Realists and Idealists Should Fall in Love With” sit in the corner and wear the dunce cap (yes, I had to do that on more than one occasion) for violating a commonly accepted English grammar rule – “don’t end a sentence with a preposition.” Anyone else remember that?

Only problem is, there isn’t actually a rule about ending sentences with prepositions. In fact, in many cases, it is preferable to do so in order to keep your writing from sounding too formal.
Winston Churchill is rumored to have responded to an editor who revised a sentence so as to avoid it ending in a preposition with the following: “This is the sort of bloody nonsense up with which I will not put.” Whether or not Churchill actually was the originator of this phrase has been contested – I don’t really care. The point is well taken. And I’d like an apology for all the time I spent revising essays and papers to sound stilted and awkward in the name of what’s proper.

That is not to say that ending sentences with a preposition is always correct. The preposition still needs an object. And many times it is better to avoid an ending preposition because of the mass perception that it is incorrect.

The preposition is grossly misunderstood. And that’s just something we’ll have to deal with.

Photo: http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7256/451/1600/churchill.jpg

BEATLEMANIA COMING TO KATY

AT “THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND” MIDNIGHT RELEASE PARTY

HOSTED BY BLOCKBUSTER

Pre-Release Game Demo & Performance by Beatles Tribute Band Abbey Rode

Featured at Tuesday, Sept. 8 Event at 1510 S. Mason Road Store

WHAT: Movie and gaming fans can be among the first to play, rent or purchase “The Beatles: Rock Band” at a special midnight release party at the BLOCKBUSTER^® store at 1510 S. Mason Road in Katy.  While they wait to pick up their copy so they can play along with John, Paul, George and Ringo in the best-selling interactive “Rock Band” game series, fans can enjoy:

·       Entertainment by The Beatles cover band, Abbey Rode

·       A pre-release game demo giving customers a chance to try the game before its official midnight debut.

·       The chance to win “The Beatles: Rock Band” game software, premium hardware bundles or standalone guitars.

·       93.7 FM The Arrow radio station

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 9 pm to midnight: Abbey Rode performance

 From 9-11 pm: Pre-release demo of “The Beatles: Rock Band”

Midnight: “The Beatles: Rock Band” available for rent or purchase

WHERE: BLOCKBUSTER, 1510 S. Mason Road, Katy, TX 77450

 HOW: Admission is free and open to the public.  “The Beatles: Rock Band” game software, premium hardware bundles and standalone guitars will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

OFFERING: In addition to offering “The Beatles: Rock Band” game software for rent, participating BLOCKBUSTER stores will have the following available for sale while supplies last:

·       “The Beatles: Rock Band” game software on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Wii.

·       A limited edition premium bundle, with the game software and band equipment inspired by The Beatles, and standalone guitars.

·       The Beatles memorabilia, including a puzzle inspired by “The White Album,” The Beatles Trivial Pursuit game, CDs and more.

According to a CNN.com article, more than half of all employers consider a candidate’s writing skills an important factor in hiring and promotion decisions. But according to a Wall Street Journal article, businesses are finding that “it’s a daunting challenge these days to hire literate M.B.A. students who can write a coherent letter or memo.”

The first article provides some basic tips for improving one’s writing – things such as:

• Know what you want to say in advance
• Keep it simple with short, succinct sentences and bullets
• Identify your reader
• Trust your ear and write as you would talk

These are all well and good, but if you really want to enhance your writing, you need to spend more time writing. And you need to dedicate time to reading good writing. You may even want to look into getting some coaching.

In this time of the 24/7 media cycle, young PR practitioners have placed an emphasis on speedy, mass communications at the expense of quality, personal communications. I recently met two new graduates at an industry networking luncheon and helped introduce them around. One e-mailed me right after the event in a typical choppy digital style. The other took the time to pen a personal and thoughtful note. Guess which one made the greater impact? Yes, part of it was that she took the time to write it – but it was also much better written than the e-mail.

I consider myself a decent writer, but I also struggle over every word and I always know that the resulting product could be better. And there are few things as inspiring and frustrating as reading someone else’s great writing.

Good writers are never satisfied with what they’ve written. But the difference between good writers and everybody else, is that good writers are always working to improve. Always.