[independentmind]

They have cell phones, BlackBerries and Palm Pilots and live by instant messaging and the Internet. Yet many graduating college students get bad grades from employers for their communications skills.

Two weeks ago, I had this very conversation with the head of the firm where I work. The problem in particular is writing skills.

[Uncle Miltie]

"The problem in particular is writing skills."

Here's a deconstruction of a U.S. Senator's rant in today's paper:

Dear Editors:

I think North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan called for a tax increase to fix Social Security in Sunday’s Forum. I’ll let you try to figure it out. Dorgan wrote exactly the following:

“Even the estimated shortfall under some of the most pessimistic projections could be fixed just be repealing the tax that has been given to those with incomes over roughly $500,000 a year. So, it’s a question of priorities and values: Save Social Security for America’s elderly, or tax breaks for those that make more than half a million dollars a year? We should do the right thing!”

“Could be fixed just be repealing the tax that has been given” is unintelligible gibberish. First, why the word “be” appears twice is beyond me. Second, the wording makes it unclear whether he is calling for repealing or increasing a tax. Third, what exactly is a “tax that has been given”? One can “levy,” “increase,” or “cut” taxes, but rarely is a tax “given.” If Senator Dorgan is “giving” taxes, I will respectfully decline his gift. Fourth, to which tax is he referring: income, death, or Social Security taxes?

Next, Senator Dorgan makes a statement in the form of “It’s a question of X or Y.” Why is that statement followed by a question mark rather than a period? If it is just an improperly formed question, perhaps he could entertain us with his answer. I suppose his answer is “Do the right thing!”, an unexplained exclamation. The tortured punctuation of these two sentences reflects an unhinged emotion, lack of cogent reasoning, and insufficient primary education that reflects poorly on our State.

Regardless, we all know that Senator Dorgan’s rant means “TAX INCREASE!” because the Democrats’ reflexive answer to toenail fungus would be “TAX INCREASE!”

To save Social Security for our children and grandchildren, there is no tax increase big enough to fill the hole. When inevitable demographics result in one worker per retiree, shall we tax the worker at 100% to fulfill Senator Dorgan’s pipe dream? When the 100% taxed worker starves, who will the Senator tax next?

I recommend Senator Dorgan review rudimentary demographics, mathematics, and English and develop a logical, well written proposal that doesn’t tax our grandchildren to death.

Sincerely,

Brad Cloven

[Ed_in_NJ]

Good reason for hiring older workers, and getting rid of "degree required."

[Fresh Wind]

The problem in particular is writing skills.

what r u talking about ?

[Puddleglum]

I have been in business/technical writing for years, and it seems that companies want to do everything but PAY for sound writing skills.

I have found that one thing lacking in business today is meeting skills. I have attended too many meetings where the talk is big but people leaving wondering what was decided and what specific tasks need to be accomplished by, well, the next meeting.

A transient workforce and management obsessed by quarterly rather than long-term goals lead to this sort of aimlessness and lack of verbal (and mental) clarity.