Hi John,
Follow the Golden Rule. If you had written this email, wouldn’t you want someone to help you?
I agree such errors often don’t matter—especially if your colleague doesn’t send messages on behalf of the school. However, when we write about difficult situations clearly and appropriately, we buffer the pain of the message and evoke responses fit for the situation. Poorly written announcements like this focus our attention on the writer and some very awkward, very humorous imagery rather than where it belongs: on Nick and the difficult time he’s experiencing.
As long as zombie dogs continue to eat homework, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Richard
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Chorazy
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2015 1:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Pronoun reference
This email just came in from the Guidance department - no changes were made except for the added quotes:
"Good Morning,
I just wanted to let you know Nick's grandfather passed away and will be out today. Please allow him time to make up any missed assignments
Thank you"
Humorous, yes, but is it worth picking on if we still glean the meaning? I've come to expect issues with punctuation and usage from this particular person, along with the occasional malapropism, so this is no surprise - but I'm curious about why this bothers us and if it should at all. I'm thinking of Davidson's "A Nice Derangement of Epitaphs." I'm wondering if the group simply finds this to be fodder for a good inside joke to share or (*gasp*!) an indication of our decaying language. Or me just entertaining myself regardless of all else...
Best wishes...
John
--
John Chorazy
English III Academic and Honors, AP Lit
Advisor, Panther Press
Pequannock Township High School
973.616.6000
Noli Timere
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