Grammar

Grammar, whether we like it or not, is an important part of the English (or any) language. It is what allows our ideas in writing to be understood clearly, or under the right context; however, that is only half of the idea of grammar. A true mastership of grammar can also be a sign of professionalism and authority. In the corporate field of today's society, a properly written essay, report, or journal article can mean the difference between keeping or losing a job; and while keeping a job is important, writing in a professional manner for every occasion may not be a necessity.

Take casually typed communication for example: whether in the form of email or texting via cellphone, grammar has continued to show less and less importance in the daily interactions of familiars. As long as an idea is understood between two people, then the extra effort typically put into proper grammar is disregarded. I am of the opinion that this stems from the fact that the fast paced, technology-oriented lives we live today has demanded of us a "need for speed". When it comes to candid interactions with the people we see on a daily basis, less time is spent worrying about punctuation than finding out what time to meet for a movie.

While a loose usage of grammar is the preferred method on a personal level, the corporate world would rather see a good sense of professional communication from potential employees. When attention to detail is prevalent in writing, it shows a certain dedication to the topic. Employers look for things such as this in resumes to find out who would best fit the position they are hiring for. In the end, the usage of grammar nowadays is determined almost exclusively by the situation to which it is being used.

The Need to Argue

Without a doubt, the need to argue is present everywhere we go, whether it be in class, or at a fast food joint. Arguments exist for one reason: everybody is different. Be it on a political issue, or on what toppings to order on a pizza, no one input, taste, thought, ideal, value or ethical standard is shared by every single person on the planet. The fact of the matter is, human beings are designed to argue. There is no way to get around it, and with the ever-present access to media such as the Internet, television and radio, it only makes arguments easier to propagate.

Even with the aggressive connotations associated with arguing, it doesn't have to just be about the negative aspects of differing views. After all, it was arguing that lead to the eventual ban of slavery. The creation of a free country. The allowance of higher education for all individuals. Arguing in and of itself is something that is both destructive yet necessary. If everyone agreed on the first thing proposed on any idea or action without taking into account all the ramifications of said idea or action, then civilization as we know it would not exist.

With this in mind, many people have gotten so used to the idea that arguing leads to progression, that they have completely forgotten what the whole purpose of an argument was. As stated in Tannen's essay, today's media often displays arguments as something of a spectacle. People soon become attracted to the idea of competition, and before you know it, the need to argue has effectively replaced the necessity to end the conflicts which began the arguments in the first place.