Grammar: It's Worth the Proofread — GVSU PRSSA – Grand Valley State University Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America

I know what you’re thinking: “Wow. Grammar…real exciting, Brady.” Listen, I get it. I’m never thrilled to take a fine-toothed comb to the most boring facet of writing. Why should we focus on something so seemingly lifeless when there are much more vibrant, important matters of professional life that draw our attention?

Don’t lose it; use it.

Here’s the thing: Despite a natural distaste for it, I don’t think we have the luxury of ignoring grammar, especially in writing. Once we’re able to master the nitty-gritty, grammar actually becomes a powerful tool we can wield in all areas of our lives and professions, and most specifically, in public relations.

The most common objection to this idea is that an overemphasis on traditional rules and proper writing leads to a stiff, archaic tone that isn’t conversational or relevant for the public. But what if we don’t have to choose between proper and casual in our communication?

It is in this balance that I find myself being most creative, as I rework my communications to be both precise and engaging. Strong grammar opens the door for more colorful, unique writing that builds interest, heightens reputation, and fosters relationships.

So what do we do?

Try to not see grammar as an annoying infringement on your freedom. We live in a culture that is increasingly self-celebrating and encouraging of the do-what-you-want narrative, and it is easy to feel that sets of rules are hindrances to expressing ourselves. In response, we like to ignore the rules. But really, shared standards, especially in written language, allow us to strive toward an objective and appreciate each other’s contributions fully. Plus, when we do regularly follow the rules, we can consciously choose to break them to make our voice stand out among others’ - this is particularly effective in copywriting.

Let me be clear: I’m not asking that we all start throwing “to whom” and “hereinafter” into our communication, but there are definitely ways to balance “relatability” with precision of language.

Here are a few common areas that I (and this HubSpot article) notice that can impact immediate perception of students and their work:

Apostrophe rules: know what is and what isn’t possessive.
You’re/your: this a brutal mistake.
They’re/their/there: ‘nuff said.
Comma rules: separate those clauses!
Misplaced homonyms: e.g. “affect” vs. “effect,” “who’s” vs. “whose.” (This list helps).
Exclamation points: Do you need it? Do you really need it?

To spare you, I’ll stop there, but a quick refresh on all of it can do wonders in how you professionally present yourself.

Remember: Impressions matter. We never know who may be reading our work, and it is far easier to lose the respect of someone attuned to grammar rules with a silly mistake than it is to lose the respect of the average reader if we sound too proper.

P.S. It’s probably best to avoid the “lol”s and “haha”s in the professional emails. You can be a friendly and authentic individual without them.

P.P.S. If you ain’t proofreading 2-3+ times, whatchu doin?

About Brady:

Brady is a sophomore at GVSU and an account associate for GrandPR. He is a huge people person, passionate about anything that gets him interacting with, learning about, and entertaining others. He is a sophomore studying Advertising and Public Relations and Public and Nonprofit Administration with a French minor. One day, he hopes to host his own talk show. Until then, he is pursuing a career in public relations, potentially in local government communications.